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Developing Consensus on Priority Pediatric Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Conditions and Procedures
Sarah Nuss1,2, Gabrielle L Cahill1,3, Wale Limenh1,4
1Global Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Initiative, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Insights
An international expert consensus identified essential pediatric otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) conditions and procedures. This list guides global health systems in prioritizing pediatric OHNS care, research, and capacity building.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS)
- Global Health Systems
- Medical Education
Background:
- Developing a global standard for pediatric otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) is crucial for equitable healthcare.
- International collaboration is needed to define essential OHNS services for all national health systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish an international expert consensus on priority pediatric OHNS conditions and procedures.
- To identify a core list of OHNS services that all national health systems should be capable of managing.
Main Methods:
- A Delphi method was employed, utilizing a multiround online questionnaire administered to international pediatric otolaryngologists.
- Participants ranked conditions and procedures based on global importance using a 5-point Likert scale.
Main Results:
- A total of 35 experts participated, with a 40% response rate, including representation from low- and middle-income countries.
- The consensus identified 28 surgical procedures and 11 medical conditions as priorities for pediatric OHNS.
Conclusions:
- The Delphi survey successfully identified a core list of pediatric OHNS conditions and procedures.
- This consensus serves as a benchmark for national health systems' clinical goals in treatment, research, and capacity building for pediatric OHNS.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to develop an international expert consensus on priority pediatric otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) conditions and procedures for which all national health systems globally should be capable of managing.
Study Design:
The Delphi method is a multiround online questionnaire and was administered internationally to otolaryngologists with a focus on pediatric populations. This study was administered in parallel to a Delphi survey focusing on adult OHNS conditions amongst adult otolaryngology experts.
Setting:
International online survey.
Methods:
In round 1, participants listed the top 15 pediatric otolaryngological conditions and top 15 pediatric otolaryngology procedures for their World Bank region. In round 2, participants ranked round 1 responses in order of global importance on a 5-point Likert scale. In round 3, participants reranked conditions and procedures that did not achieve consensus, defined as at least 70% of the round 2 Likert responses being ranked as either "important" or "very important." Descriptive statistics were calculated for each round.
Results:
The survey was distributed to 35 experts globally, with a 40% (n = 14) response rate. Fifty percent (n = 7) of participants were from low- and middle-income countries, with at least 1 participant from each World Bank region. A list of 28 consensus surgical procedures and 11 consensus conditions were identified.
Conclusion:
This Delphi survey method of world experts in pediatric otolaryngology identified a core list of medical conditions and surgical procedures that should be a part of every national health system's clinical goals of treatment, research, and capacity building.
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