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What research questions matter to Australian paediatricians? National Delphi Study
Suba Rudolph1, Harriet Hiscock, Anna Price
1Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia. suba.rudolph@rch.org.au <suba.rudolph@rch.org.au>
Insights
Australian paediatricians identified key research priorities, including obesity and ADHD, showing a strong interest in participating in studies. Their input can guide the Australian Paediatric Research Network (APRN) and practice-based research initiatives.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Research
- Clinical Practice
- Health Services Research
Background:
- The Australian Paediatric Research Network (APRN) was established to enhance general paediatrician involvement in research within secondary care.
- This initial project focused on identifying the primary research priorities and preferred methodologies among Australian paediatricians.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the most significant research questions in general paediatrics from the perspective of practising clinicians.
- To ascertain paediatricians' interest levels in various research designs for future studies.
Main Methods:
- A national Delphi process survey was distributed to Australian general paediatricians.
- Stage 1 involved collecting research questions, which were then refined into a 'top 20' list.
- Stage 2 involved paediatricians prioritizing these questions and indicating their willingness to participate in different research formats.
Main Results:
- Out of 1006 paediatricians, 685 completed the survey, generating 430 research questions, with 128 novel and researchable in secondary care.
- Top research priorities included obesity management, long-term ADHD outcomes, autism spectrum disorder outcomes, and UTI prevention via antibiotics.
- A significant majority expressed willingness to engage in longitudinal research (75%) and randomized trials (64%).
Conclusions:
- Australian paediatricians are keen to contribute to research, offering valuable direction for the APRN and similar networks.
- The identified research questions suggest a need for practice-based research, as many are not readily addressable by traditional biomedical approaches.
Aim:
The newly formed Australian Paediatric Research Network (APRN) aims to facilitate general paediatricians' participation in research in secondary care settings. This (its first) project aimed to identify Australian paediatricians' top research priorities and preferred research designs.
Methods:
All Australian general paediatricians were invited into a national Delphi process survey. In Stage 1, they were asked 'Thinking about your clinical practice, what are the most important research questions which need addressing?'. Using qualitative methods, a 'top 20' list of the most common, feasible research questions was generated. In Stage 2, respondents prioritised these 'top 20' research questions in terms of perceived importance to their practice, and rated their interest in participating in various types of research.
Results:
A total of 685 (68%) of 1006 paediatricians completed the baseline survey, with 209 paediatricians contributing 430 Stage 1 research questions. Of these, 128 (30%) had not been addressed in the literature and were researchable in the secondary care outpatient setting. The top five questions ranked in Stage 2 by 348 paediatricians were obesity management (two questions), long-term ADHD educational outcomes, autism spectrum outcomes, and prophylactic antibiotics in preventing urinary tract infections. Paediatricians were willing to participate in research designs, including longitudinal research (75%) and randomised trials (64%).
Conclusions:
Australian paediatricians are interested in research, and their ideas can provide direction for APRN and potentially other networks in Australia. Many of the questions generated could not be easily answered by traditional biomedical and clinical research methods, highlighting the potential benefit of practice-based research networks.
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