Unveiling real-world process-related problems in hospitals: a Delphi study

Abstract Many doctors and nurses in hospitals come into contact with problems related to healthcare processes on a daily basis. Although the research communities have already delved deep into healthcare processes, it is not always evident whether the research is prioritizing the most pertinent topics or adequately addressing the most pressing issues faced by healthcare professionals. It is essential to bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring that studies align with the real-world challenges encountered by nurses and doctors in their everyday work. This Delphi study researched what process-related problems exist from the perspective of physicians and nurses in a hospital, and what is their comparative relevance. In total, 18 doctors and 7 nurses participated in this study. The Delphi study consisted of six rounds and identified a list of 44 process-related problems over seven different categories. The obtained list can help both hospitals and researchers working on solutions for relevant problems.