Adopting common data elements for the National Trauma Research Repository: the results of a prehospital Delphi survey

To support the development of the National Trauma Research Repository (NTRR), a multidisciplinary workgroup focused on prehospital trauma care used a consensus-driven approach to review established data elements and recommend basic common data elements (CDEs) for inclusion in the NTRR data dictionary.

A 13-member workgroup of military and civilian trauma researchers and data scientists located and reviewed databases, codebooks, data collection forms, and published articles for data elements relevant to prehospital trauma care. Identified data elements were reviewed in a three-round Delphi survey and during monthly workgroup meetings. Consensus during the Delphi survey was determined with an 80% agreement threshold.

Twenty-one sources were reviewed for prehospital data elements. Following three rounds and workgroup discussions, 52 elements (84%) reached consensus for inclusion, two elements (3%) were excluded, and eight elements (13%) did not reach consensus.

The Delphi process proved effective in achieving expert consensus on basic CDEs for prehospital trauma care research. The resulting standardized basic CDEs will improve data harmonization and support consistent data collection in the NTRR. These CDEs represent an initial framework and serve as a foundational starting point for prehospital data collection within the NTRR. As researchers use the NTRR, the list of CDEs will grow and evolve to meet the needs of the trauma research community.