2006 profile of postgraduate critical care nursing research in South Africa

Aim. The aim of the study was to compile a profile of postgraduate critical care nursing research completed during 2006 in the nursing departments of South African universities, and to determine the extent to which this research contributes to the development of a unique body of specialist South African nursing knowledge. Method. The critical care nursing programme leader at each university completed an electronic questionnaire. Results. A total of 16 critical care master's projects (but no doctorate projects) were completed. Completed projects came from only 7 of the 10 universities that offer a postgraduate programme in critical care nursing. To date, only 1 of the projects (6.3%) has been published and 3 (18.8%) have been presented at a national critical care congress. Conclusion. The number and focus of the 2006 projects are comparable with the 2000 - 2005 profile. Research dissemination from South African postgraduate critical care nursing research remains poor. Southern African Journal of Critical Care Vol. 23 (2) 2007: pp. 70-72