Setting priorities for research in blood donation and transfusion: outcome of the James Lind Alliance priority-setting partnership.

Background: How do we decide which topics should be prioritized for research? The need for a robust process for prioritization by key stakeholders, and not just the researchers themselves, was recognized by the James Lind Alliance. A methodology has been established to enable clinicians, patients, and caregivers to identify and prioritize important uncertainties for research in different health areas. This methodology was applied to transfusion medicine to help focus the research agenda in this field.