Rochelle Flayter, PhD, Nursing Director at Intermountain Health

Upon completion of her PhD dissertation, Dr. Rochelle Flayter, chair of the Society of Trauma Nurses (STN) Research Committee, proposed a follow-on investigation of the National Trauma Research Action Plan (NTRAP) to prioritize geriatric trauma nursing research gaps. “Older adults experience disproportionately high morbidity, mortality, and functional decline after injury, yet trauma research priorities rarely reflect the complexity of geriatric care,” Dr. Flayter said. “Although the NTRAP generated a comprehensive national research agenda, nursing perspectives were minimally represented, leaving a critical gap in identifying geriatric trauma research priorities most relevant to nursing practice.” Guided by the Trauma Outcomes Model (TOM), her dissertation addressed the need for a nursing‑centered evaluation of geriatric trauma research needs.

Funded with an STN research grant, Dr. Flayter’s secondary analysis of NTRAP will engage a panel of 30 subject matter experts including trauma, ER and ICU nurses; nurse researchers; and nurse administrators in rural and urban settings. CNTR will administer the survey this fall, providing training and interim analysis throughout the process.

This initiative will validate national geriatric trauma nursing research priorities, position STN as the leading voice in trauma nursing research strategy, and establish a replicable model for future research priority-setting initiatives. The preliminary data generated will support STN’s future efforts to apply for federal funding (e.g., NIH, DoD, PCORI) in collaboration with the CNTR. “We’re thrilled to be working with STN, one of our very engaged Stakeholder members,” said Michelle Price, PhD, CNTR executive director. “The results of this study will inform research priorities for years to come.”