Using the Delphi Technique to Achieve Consensus on Prevention and Treatment of Preterm Single Birth in China
10.1097/FM9.0000000000000201
- VernacularTitle:Using the Delphi Technique to Achieve Consensus on Prevention and Treatment of Preterm Single Birth in China
- Author:
Taishun LI
1
;
Zhe LIU
;
Huixia YANG
;
Yali HU
Author Information
1. Medical Statistics and Analysis Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Premature birth;
Delphi technique;
Consensus;
Guidelines
- From:
Maternal-Fetal Medicine
2023;05(4):206-212
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective::This study aimed to reach a consensus among obstetric experts on the prevention and treatment of preterm single births in China.Methods::Based on the scoping literature review and the 2014 edition of preterm birth of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment guidelines, we generated the Delphi survey statements with five evaluation dimensions, including the definition of preterm birth, exclusion of risk factors for preterm birth, prevention, and prediction of preterm birth, treatment of preterm birth, and evaluation of intervention outcomes of preterm birth. Obstetric experts from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association formed the expert group for this survey. All the obstetric experts participated two-round modified Delphi survey via an anonymous online survey and an online panel. Mean scores, rank sum, full score ratio, and the lowest score ratio were calculated to reflect the concentration of expert opinions. The coefficient of variation and Kendall W coefficient were used to reflect the expert opinion coordination degree of the survey statement. Results::The expert response rate for both rounds of surveys was 100% (41/41). Experts reached an agreement on 36 statements in five dimensions of preterm birth prevention and treatment in the first round of the survey and reached a consensus on the remaining 13 statements in the second round. A total of 49 statements (mean scores ≥3, full score ratio ≥20%, coefficient of variation ≤0.3) were explicitly included in this guideline to form recommendations, while the remaining three clinical issues that did not reach a consensus require further determination based on evidence quality. The Kendall W coefficient in the two rounds of the Delphi survey were 0.20 ( P < 0.001) and 0.29 ( P < 0.001). Conclusion::The five dimensions and 49 statements, agreed upon through a two-round Delphi study, determined the recommended statements to be included in the updated guidelines for the prevention and treatment of preterm birth in China. The defined lower limit is set at ≥28 gestational weeks; however, an update has been made to the definition of premature birth, specifying that "with the consent of the mother and her family, treatment is not abandoned for viable infants ≥26 gestational weeks."
