Assessing agreement on Canadian pediatric critical care training objectives in Japan.

Abstract

Japan has no accredited learning objectives for pediatric critical care medicine trainees. This study examined the extent of agreement among a panel of Japanese Pediatric Intensive Care (PICU) directors regarding the necessity of the Canadian learning objectives in pediatric critical care knowledge and technical skills training. Using a two-round Delphi survey, we developed consensus among directors of PICUs in Japan on the Canadian training objectives in pediatric critical care medicine. To assess the agreement, we applied a 4-point Likert scale (1=unnecessary, 2=relatively unnecessary, 3=relatively necessary, 4=necessary). We conducted a web-based survey and an Excel-based survey over four-week periods for the first and second rounds, respectively. Consensus was set at ≥80% agreement; therefore, items rated 3 or 4 by ≥80% participants in either rounds were included in the final list. Of the 36 PICU directors invited, 32 (88.9%) completed all survey rounds. In the first round, 164 items were agreed as necessary, 1 item was deemed unnecessary, and 15 items did not reach agreement and were included in the second round. In the second round, 5 items were agreed as necessary and 10 items did not reach agreement. Finally, 169 (94.9%) of the Canadian learning objectives reached the agreement after the two-round Delphi survey. Sixteen participants commented that non-technical skills, such as communication, collaboration, management, and education, were important additional objectives. High consensus was observed among Japanese pediatric critical care experts concerning the Canadian learning objectives for pediatric critical care knowledge and technical skills training.