The minimum data set for goiter disorder in Iran.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Health Informatics
• Public Health

Background:

• Goiter, a common endocrine disorder often linked to iodine deficiency, lacks standardized data for effective management.
• Current data collection methods hinder monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment of goiter globally.
• Developing a structured Minimum Data Set (MDS) is crucial for improving goiter care and establishing national registries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a Minimum Data Set (MDS) for goiter.
• To facilitate accurate and consistent data collection for goiter patients.
• To support the creation of a national goiter registry system for enhanced healthcare delivery.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kerman, Iran.
• Data elements were identified from literature and records, followed by checklist design.
• A two-round Delphi method involving endocrinologists and health informatics specialists validated the MDS.

Main Results:

• An initial 57 data elements were identified.
• After the first Delphi round, 15 elements were approved.
• The final MDS was refined to 9 core elements based on expert consensus.

Conclusions:

• A consensus-based MDS enhances the quality and consistency of goiter data.
• This structured data collection supports improved planning, resource allocation, and clinical outcomes.
• The MDS addresses challenges in goiter registration systems and documentation standardization.