Core Components of a Pediatric Critical Care Transport Communication Curriculum: A Modified Delphi Approach

Abstract

Objective: Interfacility transport of critically ill infants and children is an essential part of the care of children in the United States. However, there is tremendous variation in how transports are coordinated and performed. Pediatric critical care medicine (PCCM) fellows have differing experiences in their fellowships, and there is no standardized way of training medical command for the transport process. The aim of this study was to use a consensus-building process to establish core components of a PCCM transport curriculum focused on communication.

Methods: A national group of experts in transport medicine rated 51 total possible topics for their importance to include in a fellowship curriculum. Three rounds of surveys were completed.

Results: Fifty-two of 372 invitees (14%) participated in round 1. Consensus was reached to include 15 items in a PCCM curriculum. Twenty of 52 (38%) experts completed round 2, reaching consensus on 2 additional items. Seventeen of 20 (85%) experts completed round 3. No additional items reached consensus.

Conclusion: Experts reached consensus on 17 core components to include in a PCCM fellowship transport communication curriculum. This curriculum could likely be adapted to train providers from different disciplines in the transport process.