Methodology used to develop the minimum common data elements for surveillance and Reporting of Musculoskeletal...

Area of Science:

• Military Health Research
• Injury Surveillance
• Data Standardization

Background:

• Musculoskeletal injuries (MSKI) pose a significant challenge in military populations.
• Standardized data collection is crucial for effective MSKI surveillance and prevention programs.
• Existing surveillance methods lack a globally agreed-upon minimum data set for military settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the methodology for developing the international minimum data elements for surveillance and Reporting of Musculoskeletal Injuries in the MILitary (ROMMIL) statement.
• To establish a recommended list of data elements for MSKI surveillance research in military contexts.
• To improve data harmonization and scalability in military MSKI research.

Main Methods:

• A sequential three-round Delphi consensus survey was employed.
• Preliminary steps included literature review and stakeholder surveys to identify barriers, facilitators, knowledge gaps, and research priorities.
• Knowledge users, including military personnel, civilian practitioners, and international experts, participated in consensus building.

Main Results:

• Three rounds of the Delphi survey were necessary to achieve minimum consensus.
• The study involved 95, 65, and 42 respondents across the three rounds.
• The methodology successfully engaged diverse global military stakeholders.

Conclusions:

• Consensus building among international military stakeholders presents unique challenges.
• The detailed methodology provides a framework for future consensus endeavors in military health research.
• The ROMMIL statement aims to enhance data consistency and comparability for MSKI surveillance globally.