Measuring the outcomes of volunteering for education: development and pilot of a tool to assess healthcare professionals’ personal and professional development from international volunteering

ObjectiveThe development and pilot of a self-report questionnaire, to assess personal and professional development of healthcare professionals gained through experiences in low-income and middle-income countries.DesignThe instrument was developed from a core set of the outcomes of international placements for UK healthcare professionals. Principal component analysis and multidimensional item response theory were conducted using results of a cross-sectional pilot study to highlight items with the best psychometric properties.SettingQuestionnaires were completed both online and in multiple UK healthcare professional events face-to-face.Participants436 healthcare professional participants from the UK (with and without international experience) completed a 110-item questionnaire in which they assessed their knowledge, skills and attitudes.MeasuresThe 110-item questionnaire included self-report questions on a 7-point Likert scale of agreement, developed from the core outcome set, including items on satisfaction, clinical skills, communication and other important healthcare professional knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours. Item reduction led to development of the 40-item Measuring the Outcomes of Volunteering for Education-Tool. Internal consistency was evaluated by the Cronbach’s α coefficient. Exploratory analysis investigated the structure of the data using principal component analysis and multivariate item response theory.ResultsExploratory analysis found 10 principal components that explained 71.80% of the variance. Components were labelled ‘attitude to work, adaptability, adapting communication, cultural sensitivity, difficult communication, confidence, teaching, management, behaviour change and life satisfaction’. Internal consistency was acceptable for the identified components (α=0.72–0.86).ConclusionsA 40-item self-report questionnaire developed from a core outcome set for personal and professional development from international placements was developed, with evidence of good reliability and validity. This questionnaire will increase understanding of impact of international placements, facilitating comparisons of different types of experience. This will aid decision making about whether UK healthcare professionals should be encouraged to volunteer internationally and in what capacity.

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Selecting Core Outcomes for Randomised Effectiveness trials In Type 2 diabetes (SCORE-IT): a patient and healthcare professional consensus on a core outcome set for type 2 diabetes

BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care ◽

10.1136/bmjdrc-2019-000700 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. e000700 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Nicola L Harman ◽

John P H Wilding ◽

Dave Curry ◽

James Harris ◽

Jennifer Logue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Core Outcome Set ◽

Consensus Meeting ◽

Core Outcome ◽

Outcome Set ◽

Core Outcomes ◽

Effectiveness Trials

ObjectivesHeterogeneity in outcomes measured across trials of glucose-lowering interventions for people with type 2 diabetes impacts on the ability to compare findings and may mean that the results have little importance to healthcare professionals and the patients that they care for. The SCORE-IT study (Selecting Core Outcomes for Randomised Effectiveness trials In Type 2 diabetes) has addressed this issue by establishing consensus on the most important outcomes for non-surgical interventions for hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes.Research design and methodsA comprehensive list of outcomes was developed from registered clinical trials, online patient resources, qualitative literature and long-term studies in the field. This list was then scored in a two-round online Delphi survey completed by healthcare professionals, people with type 2 diabetes, researchers in the field and healthcare policymakers. The results of this online Delphi were discussed and ratified at a face-to-face consensus meeting.Results173 people completed both rounds of the online survey (116 people with type 2 diabetes, 37 healthcare professionals, 14 researchers and 6 policymakers), 20 of these attended the consensus meeting (13 people with type 2 diabetes and 7 healthcare professionals). Consensus was reached on 18 core outcomes across five domains, which include outcomes related to diabetes care, quality of life and long-term diabetes-related complications.ConclusionsImplementation of the core outcome set in future trials will ensure that outcomes of importance to all stakeholders are measured and reported, enhancing the relevance of trial findings and facilitating the comparison of results across trials.

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Gathering Global Perspectives to Establish the Research Priorities and Minimum Data Sets for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Sampling Strategy of the First Round Consensus Surveys of AO Spine RECODE-DCM

Global Spine Journal ◽

10.1177/21925682211047546 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 219256822110475

Author(s):

Oliver D. Mowforth ◽

Danyal Z Khan ◽

Mei Yin Wong ◽

George A. E. Pickering ◽

Lydia Dean ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cervical Myelopathy ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Core Outcome Set ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Core Outcome ◽

Core Data ◽

Minimum Data ◽

Outcome Set ◽

Data Elements ◽

Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

Study Design Survey. Introduction AO Spine Research Objectives and Common Data Elements for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (RECODE-DCM) is an international initiative that aims to accelerate knowledge discovery and improve outcomes by developing a consensus framework for research. This includes defining the top research priorities, an index term and a minimum data set (core outcome set and core data elements set – core outcome set (COS)/core data elements (CDE)). Objective To describe how perspectives were gathered and report the detailed sampling characteristics. Methods A two-stage, electronic survey was used to gather and seek initial consensus. Perspectives were sought from spinal surgeons, other healthcare professionals and people with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). Participants were allocated to one of two parallel streams: (1) priority setting or (2) minimum dataset. An email campaign was developed to advertise the survey to relevant global stakeholder individuals and organisations. People with DCM were recruited using the international DCM charity Myelopathy.org and its social media channels. A network of global partners was recruited to act as project ambassadors. Data from Google Analytics, MailChimp and Calibrum helped optimise survey dissemination. Results Survey engagement was high amongst the three stakeholder groups: 208 people with DCM, 389 spinal surgeons and 157 other healthcare professionals. Individuals from 76 different countries participated; the United States, United Kingdom and Canada were the most common countries of participants. Conclusion AO Spine RECODE-DCM recruited a diverse and sufficient number of participants for an international PSP and COS/CDE process. Whilst PSP and COS/CDE have been undertaken in other fields, to our knowledge, this is the first time they have been combined in one process.

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Developing a core outcome set for interventions to improve discharge from mental health inpatient services: a survey, Delphi and consensus meeting with key stakeholder groups

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034215 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. e034215

Author(s):

Natasha Tyler ◽

Nicola Wright ◽

Andrew Grundy ◽

Justin Waring

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Services ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Core Outcome Set ◽

Consensus Meeting ◽

Service Users ◽

Core Outcome ◽

Stakeholder Groups ◽

The Core ◽

Outcome Set

ObjectiveTo develop a core set of outcomes to be used in all future studies into discharge from acute mental health services to increase homogeneity of outcome reporting.DesignWe used a cross-sectional online survey with qualitative responses to derive a comprehensive list of outcomes, followed by two online Delphi rounds and a face-to-face consensus meeting.SettingThe setting the core outcome set applies to is acute adult mental health.ParticipantsParticipants were recruited from five stakeholder groups: service users, families and carers, researchers, healthcare professionals and policymakers.InterventionsThe core outcome set is intended for all interventions that aim to improve discharge from acute mental health services to the community.ResultsNinety-three participants in total completed the questionnaire, 69 in Delphi round 1 and 68 in round 2, with relatively even representation of groups. Eleven participants attended the consensus meeting. Service users, healthcare professionals, researchers, carers/families and end-users of research agreed on a four-item core outcome set: readmission, suicide completed, service user-reported psychological distress and quality of life.ConclusionImplementation of the core outcome set in future trials research will provide a framework to achieve standardisation, facilitate selection of outcome measures, allow between-study comparisons and ultimately enhance the relevance of trial or research findings to healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers and service users.

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European Society of Coloproctology Core Outcome Set for haemorrhoidal disease: an international Delphi study among healthcare professionals

Colorectal Disease ◽

10.1111/codi.14553 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (5) ◽

pp. 570-580 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

R. R. Tol ◽

M. L. Kimman ◽

J. Melenhorst ◽

L. P. S. Stassen ◽

C. D. Dirksen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

European Society ◽

Delphi Study ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Core Outcome Set ◽

Core Outcome ◽

Haemorrhoidal Disease ◽

Outcome Set

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Cauda Equina Syndrome Core Outcome Set (CESCOS): An international patient and healthcare professional consensus for research studies

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0225907 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. e0225907

Author(s):

Nisaharan Srikandarajah ◽

Adam Noble ◽

Simon Clark ◽

Martin Wilby ◽

Brian J. C. Freeman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Professional ◽

Cauda Equina Syndrome ◽

Core Outcome Set ◽

Cauda Equina ◽

Core Outcome ◽

Outcome Set ◽

Research Studies

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Development of a Core Outcome Set for clinical trials aimed at improving antimicrobial stewardship in care homes

International Journal of Pharmacy Practice ◽

10.1093/ijpp/riab016.019 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. i15-i16

Author(s):

H Q Nguyen ◽

D T Bradley ◽

M M Tunney ◽

C M Hughes

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Older People ◽

Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Care Home ◽

Core Outcome Set ◽

Care Homes ◽

Core Outcome ◽

Delphi Consensus ◽

Outcome Set

Abstract Introduction Diverse outcomes reported in clinical trials to improve antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in care homes has hindered evidence synthesis [1]. We previously reported that a number of outcomes for care home AMS which may be important to healthcare professionals and relatives of care home residents had not been measured in previous trials [2]. It is essential to generate a set of important outcomes (a core outcome set – COS) for future studies of AMS interventions in care homes. Aim To develop a COS for use in clinical trials aimed at improving AMS in care homes. Methods A refined inventory of outcomes for AMS interventions in care homes, compiled from a previous study [2], was presented in a three-round international Delphi consensus survey, followed by an online consensus exercise. Stakeholders engaged in AMS in care homes (e.g. healthcare professionals, representatives of care home residents) were invited to participate, having been identified through the research team’s contacts and knowledge of relevant organisations. A 9-point Likert scale was used during the consensus procedures and an outcome was included in the COS if 80% or more of participants scored between 7 and 9, and 15% or less scored between 1 and 3. Less stringent criteria for inclusion were also applied if the final COS comprised fewer than three outcomes. Subsequently, a suitable outcome measurement instrument (OMI) was selected for each outcome in the COS using the following steps: finding existing OMIs in the literature and consulting with experts, assessing the quality of OMIs, and selecting one OMI for each core outcome via a two-round international Delphi consensus exercise. Consent was obtained from all participants taking part in all consensus procedures. Results The initial inventory of 14 outcomes was presented to 82 international Delphi panellists from 17 countries in the first round who also suggested three additional outcomes. These 17 outcomes were rated again in two further rounds, with consensus achieved for ten outcomes. A subsequent online consensus exercise with twelve participants from Northern Ireland, including the research team, reached consensus to include five outcomes in the COS (Table 1). Regarding selection of OMIs for the COS, 17 OMIs were identified through literature searches and experts’ suggestions. Based on quality assessment, three OMIs - ‘Number of antimicrobial courses started per 1000 resident-days’, ‘Rate of antimicrobial days of therapy per 1000 resident-days’, and ‘Van Buul algorithms to evaluate appropriateness of initiating or withholding antibiotics’ - were selected for a two-round Delphi exercise with 59 participants from 16 countries. Consensus was reached to select two OMIs for the COS, as presented in Table 1. Conclusion This is the first study to develop a COS for use in clinical trials aimed at improving AMS in care homes. Although we recruited few representatives from advocacy groups for older people, care home staff and managers, there was common agreement for inclusion of a number of outcomes. This COS represents the minimum that should be used in research and trialists may consider exploring other outcomes as reported in previous studies. References 1. Nguyen HQ, Tunney MM, Hughes CM. Interventions to Improve Antimicrobial Stewardship for Older People in Care Homes: A Systematic Review. Drugs and Aging. 2019;36(4):355–69. 2. Nguyen HQ, Bradley DT, Tunney MM, Hughes CM. Antimicrobial Stewardship in Care Homes: Outcomes of Importance to Stakeholders. J Hosp Infect. 2020 Jan 27;104(4):582–91.

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Core outcome set for preventive intervention trials in chronic and episodic migraine (COSMIG): an international, consensus-derived and multistakeholder initiative

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043242 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. e043242

Author(s):

Kirstie Haywood ◽

Rachel Potter ◽

Robert Froud ◽

Gemma Pearce ◽

Barbara Box ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Core Outcome Set ◽

Episodic Migraine ◽

Consensus Meeting ◽

Good Representation ◽

Core Outcome ◽

The Core ◽

Outcome Set

ObjectiveTypically, migraine prevention trials focus on reducing migraine days. This narrow focus may not capture all that is important to people with migraine. Inconsistency in outcome selection across trials limits the potential for data pooling and evidence synthesis. In response, we describe the development of core outcome set for migraine (COSMIG).DesignA two-stage approach sought to achieve international, multistakeholder consensus on both the core domain set and core measurement set. Following construction of a comprehensive list of outcomes, expert panellists (patients, healthcare professionals and researchers) completed a three-round electronic-Delphi study to support a reduction and prioritisation of core domains and outcomes. Participants in a consensus meeting finalised the core domains and methods of assessment. All stages were overseen by an international core team, including patient research partners.ResultsThere was a good representation of patients (episodic migraine (n=34) and chronic migraine (n=42)) and healthcare professionals (n=33) with high response and retention rates. The initial list of domains and outcomes was reduced from >50 to 7 core domains for consideration in the consensus meeting, during which a 2-domain core outcome set was agreed.ConclusionInternational and multistakeholder consensus emerged to describe a two-domain core outcome set for reporting research on preventive interventions for chronic and episodic migraine: migraine-specific pain and migraine-specific quality of life. Intensity of migraine pain assessed with an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale and the frequency as the number of headache/migraine days over a specified time period. Migraine-specific quality of life assessed using the Migraine Functional Impact Questionnaire.

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Core outcome set for three ophthalmic conditions: a healthcare professional and patient consensus on core outcome sets for amblyopia, ocular motility and strabismus (COSAMS Study)

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042403 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. e042403

Author(s):

Samiya Al-Jabri ◽

Fiona J Rowe ◽

Jamie J Kirkham

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Core Outcome Set ◽

Routine Clinical Practice ◽

Ocular Motility ◽

Core Outcome ◽

Core Outcome Sets ◽

The Core ◽

Outcome Set ◽

Core Outcomes

ObjectivesAmblyopia, strabismus and ocular motility disorders are common conditions with significant impact on visual function, appearance and quality of life. We aimed to establish a core set of outcomes for each of the three conditions for use in clinical trials and routine clinical practice.DesignA comprehensive databank of outcomes was developed from a systematic review of the literature and a series of focus groups with healthcare professionals, researchers, patients and carers. The databank of outcomes was scored in a two-round Delphi Survey completed by two stakeholder groups: healthcare professionals/researchers and patients/carers. Results of the online Delphi were discussed at a face-to-face consensus meeting where the core outcome sets were finalised.SettingUK-wide consultation.ParticipantsResearchers, clinicians, patients and carers.Outcome measuresCore outcome sets.ResultsFor amblyopia, strabismus and ocular motility, 40/42/33 participants contributed to both rounds of the Delphi; six/nine/seven members attended consensus meetings, respectively. Consensus was reached on ten core outcomes for both amblyopia and ocular motility and nine for strabismus. All three conditions shared the core outcomes: adverse events, cost, vision-related quality of life and ocular alignment. The strabismus and ocular motility disorder core sets included, in addition, measuring the deviation, binocular vision, ocular movement, patient satisfaction and symptoms. The amblyopia set, distinct from the sets for the other two conditions, included best corrected distance and near visual acuity, spherical and cylindrical refraction, compliance and treatment-related and functionality/long-term impacts.ConclusionsThe study used robust consensus methods to develop a core outcome set for three ophthalmic conditions. Implementation of these core outcome sets in clinical trials and routine clinical practice will ensure that the outcomes being measured and reported are relevant to all stakeholders. This will enhance the relevance of study findings and enable comparison of results from different studies.

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