Delphi Study
We are excited to announce that CIRCAN’s Delphi study on research prioritisations has been published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health which you can access here:
Aim
To develop consensus on the priorities for multi-centre, inpatient general paediatrics research in Australia and New Zealand.
Methods
The Children’s Inpatient Research Collaboration of Australia and New Zealand (CIRCAN) conducted a three-stage modified Delphi study consisting of three anonymous survey rounds followed by a Hanlon Process of Prioritisation.
Results
Participants included paediatricians, paediatric trainees, nursing, allied health staff, and academics. A moderator group (10 members) oversaw the process. In the first survey, 124 participants submitted 306 research questions which were refined to a list of 89 by the moderator group. Eighty-one respondents took part in the second and third survey rounds, leading to identification of 19 priority research questions, which were then anonymously ranked by 18 CIRCAN members through a facilitated Hanlon Process of Prioritisation. The highest ranked topics included asthma (six questions), bronchiolitis (five questions), sepsis/meningitis (four questions), as well as single questions on cellulitis, eating disorders, rehabilitation, and coordination of complex care.
Conclusion
This prioritisation study established a consensus list of research questions. Research topics regarding respiratory conditions were most highly ranked. These results will inform multicentre inpatient general paediatric research in Australia and New Zealand.
Brief Points
- What is already known on this topic
- The Children’s Inpatient Research Collaboration of Australia and New Zealand (CIRCAN) is a network of inpatient general paediatric research.
- Consensus on research priorities is important for focusing limited resources and funding.
- Similar research networks in other countries have carried out prioritisation setting exercises.
- What this study adds
- Through robust consensus and prioritisation processes, 19 priority research questions were identified.
- The highest ranked topics included asthma, bronchiolitis, sepsis/meningitis, cellulitis, eating disorders, rehabilitation and coordination of complex care. More than half of the top questions related to the management of asthma and bronchiolitis.
- These results provide strategic direction for future research in general paediatric inpatient care in Australia and New Zealand.
For further information please contact Davina Bunstma at CIRCAN@mcri.edu.au.
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