Medical Skills Curriculum for Interdisciplinary Neonatal Transport Teams: A European Delphi Consensus Study.

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Medical Education
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Interhospital neonatal transport requires specialized skills.
• Simulation-based training is crucial for interdisciplinary teams.
• Defining core competencies is essential for effective neonatal transport curricula.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and prioritize medical skills for neonatal transport teams.
• To inform the development of simulation-based training curricula.
• To enhance interdisciplinary collaboration in neonatal care.

Main Methods:

• A modified three-round Delphi process involving 144 European healthcare professionals.
• Skills were suggested and prioritized using a modified Needs Assessment Formula.
• Consensus was achieved through iterative rounds of prioritization and elimination.

Main Results:

• Consensus on 21 skills for physicians and 34 for non-physician healthcare professionals.
• Top physician skills: manual ventilation, mechanical ventilation setup, chest compressions, intubation, umbilical venous catheterization.
• Top non-physician skills: incubator setup, monitoring, IV infusions, infusion driver setup.

Conclusions:

• Identified and prioritized medical skills for neonatal transport teams.
• Supports development of simulation-based training.
• Aligns training with clinical complexity and interdisciplinary needs.