PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Hagar Palgi Hacker AU - Elena Ateva AU - R. Rima Jolivet AU - Bushra Al-makaleh AU - Theresa Shaver AU - Emma Sacks TI - Global Research Priorities for Understanding and Improving Respectful Care for Newborns: A Modified Delphi Study AID - 10.9745/GHSP-D-21-00292 DP - 2022 Feb 28 TA - Global Health: Science and Practice PG - e2100292 VI - 10 IP - 1 4099 - http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/10/1/e2100292.short 4100 - http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/10/1/e2100292.full SO - GLOB HEALTH SCI PRACT2022 Feb 28; 10 AB - Key FindingsWe undertook a modified Delphi exercise to learn what experts think are the key questions regarding respectful care for newborns, resulting in the first prioritized list of research questions that focus on respectful care for newborns.This study is the first to offer a working definition of respectful care for newborns and develop a ranked list of research questions focusing exclusively on respectful care for newborns.Key ImplicationsThis list of research questions should inform and guide researchers and other stakeholders in research efforts on understanding the various aspects of respectful newborn care.Consensus-based definitions and standardized methodological research tools need to be developed to advance research efforts on respectful newborn care.Introduction:As the respectful maternity care agenda expands, it is necessary to understand what the priorities are for improving respectful, dignified, and high-quality care for newborns. To catalyze and inform a developing research field, we undertook a prioritization exercise to identify global research questions.Methods:We used a modified Delphi process to identify potential research priorities for understanding and addressing respectful care for newborns. Based on a literature review and expert discussions, we sent an open-ended questionnaire to participants in Round 1. The results were consolidated and used to create the Round 2 questionnaire, which asked participants to rank the preliminary list of research questions in 3 categories (descriptive, implementation, and measurement). Responses were weighted by rank and collated to generate a prioritized, consensus-based list of research questions.Findings:Round 1 resulted in 70 research questions from 25 respondents, and 52 participants completed the Round 2 ranked survey. Most participants identified themselves as researchers (53.2%), program designers, implementers, or evaluators (56.5%). More than half of the participants reported working primarily in low-income countries (66%). Top descriptive questions were on understanding manifestations and definitions of disrespectful care among newborns and which perceptions and beliefs held by health workers affect the quality of care provided. Top implementation questions were around how to promote respectful care as a standard, challenges faced by health facilities, and identification of effective advocacy strategies. Top measurement questions were on quantitative and qualitative metrics and the impact of experiences on health outcomes.Conclusions:This study developed, for the first time, a prioritized list of research questions focusing exclusively on respectful care for newborns. The study highlighted the absence of agreed-upon terminology and tools needed to advance both theoretical and practical efforts. This list should guide researchers and other stakeholders in developing further research.