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. 2025 May 31;40(3):e758.
doi: 10.5001/omj.2025.88. eCollection 2025 May.

Establishing Research Priorities in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Data-driven and Stakeholder-informed Approach

Hasina A Al Harthi  1 , Maryam S Al Nabhani  1 , Nuha I Al Shaaili  2 , Jehan M Al Fannah  3 , Shaima A Al Hinaai  1 , Safaa A Al Hashmi  1
Affiliations

Establishing Research Priorities in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Data-driven and Stakeholder-informed Approach

Hasina A Al Harthi et al. Oman Med J. .

Abstract

Objectives: Setting research priorities is essential for optimizing healthcare resource allocation and addressing critical health challenges. We sought to identify data-driven clinical and health service research priorities for the Royal Hospital, Muscat, Oman.

Methods: We used a multi-step approach combined with retrospective electronic health record (EHR) analysis with structured and unstructured stakeholder consultations. Findings were validated using the Delphi method through online surveys and face-to-face discussions with 10 key hospital decision-makers.

Results: Analysis of EHR data from 652?%567 inpatient admissions over 14 years identified pregnancy-related conditions (25.0%) as the leading cause of hospitalization, followed by circulatory system disease (10.4%) and cancers (8.6%), with breast and colon cancers being the most prevalent. Septicemia, pneumonia, and myocardial infarction were the leading causes of death. Stakeholder consultations emphasized patient-centered care, telemedicine, operational efficiency, and artificial intelligence-driven diagnostics as key health service research priorities. Delphi validation confirmed high relevance (scoring 4?"5 on a 5-point scale), although feasibility concerns were noted, particularly regarding resource allocation and information technology infrastructure.

Conclusions: Our study established research priorities for the Royal Hospital by integrating clinical data analysis with stakeholder engagement to align research efforts with Oman?(tm)s Health Vision 2050. Effective implementation will require a hospital-wide research steering committee to oversee execution, integrate research themes into funding strategies, and enhance data-driven decision-making through artificial intelligence and EHR dashboards. Sustaining momentum necessitates annual reviews with leadership, cross-department collaboration, and capacity-building programs. For long-term sustainability, dedicated hospital funding and public-private partnerships should be explored.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Information Technology; Research Priorities; Resource Allocation; Stakeholder Participation; Tertiary Healthcare.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Themes and topics identified as health service priorities.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Comparative analysis of research priorities: hospital vs. national, Gulf Cooperation Council, and global perspectives.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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