Using a Modified Delphi Methodology to Identify Essential Telemedicine Skills for Pediatric Residents

Telemedicine use in pediatrics increased during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Despite rapid uptake by pediatric residency programs, consensus on essential telemedicine skills for pediatric residents is lacking. We used a modified Delphi methodology to identify essential telemedicine skills and behaviors for pediatric residents.

A focused literature search was performed to identify items for review by pediatric telemedicine experts. A modified Delphi methodology consisting of iterative rounds of anonymous surveys was conducted until consensus for each item was reached. Consensus was defined as >80% of experts identifying a topic as "very important." All items were mapped to one of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competencies.

Seventeen pediatric telemedicine skills and behaviors achieved a consensus of "very important." Most items mapped to the ACGME core competency domains of interpersonal and communication skills and professionalism.

There was a high degree of agreement among pediatric telemedicine experts on the importance of 17 telemedicine skills and behaviors for pediatric trainees. These skills can inform pediatric telemedicine curricula and provide validity evidence for pediatric telemedicine assessment tools.