A literature-informed Delphi framework for pediatric medication science books

To construct a quantifiable indicator system for evaluating pediatric pharmacology knowledge and to provide a scientific basis for writing popular science books on pediatric medication.

From June to July 2025, a systematic literature search was performed to conduct a general systematic review of pediatric medication science popularization content. Literature information was integrated via thematic synthesis to formulate a preliminary questionnaire. Experts from tertiary hospitals and colleges of pharmacy across eastern, central and western China were selected, and a single-round modified Delphi method was carried out by distributing and collecting questionnaires through an online survey platform (Wenjuanxing). A dual-threshold criterion was applied for indicator screening: items with a mean importance score ≥ 4.0 and a coefficient of variation (CV) ≤ 25% were directly included. For items failing to meet the above criteria, the research team conducted joint deliberation combined with experts' open-ended qualitative feedback, to determine whether the items would be excluded, or revised and merged into relevant retained items.

A total of 3,520 studies were initially retrieved, yielding 68 included studies that generated 11 first-level and 54 s-level indicators. Of 28 distributed questionnaires, 26 were valid, yielding a valid response rate of 92.86%. The mean importance scores for the 11 first-level indicators ranged from 3.49 to 4.67, with all CVs ≤25% (11.89%-22.53%). Indicators with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) at a moderate or higher level accounted for 90.9%. Ultimately, 6 first-level indicators met the dual-threshold criteria and were retained. "in vivo Drug Process" was retained following team discussion, while "Prescription Reading" and "Drug Economy and Regulation" were excluded due to abstractness and low scores. "Drug Efficacy and Toxicity" and "Drug Use" were merged into "Medication Safety" and "Home Medication Guide," respectively.

The pediatric medication knowledge framework indicator system established based on the systematic literature review and single-round modified Delphi consultation has a high degree of expert consensus and a clear screening process, with sound authority, scientificity and operability, providing a theoretical basis and practical reference for the content design of general pediatric medication science popularization books.