Protocol for a Delphi Consensus Study to Determine the Essential and Optional Ultrasound Skills for Medical Practitioners Working in District Hospitals in South Africa

Pierre-Andre Mans (), Parimalaranie Yogeswaran and Oladele Vincent Adeniyi
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Pierre-Andre Mans: Department of Family Medicine, Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, Mdantsane, East London 5201, South Africa
Parimalaranie Yogeswaran: Department of Family Medicine and Rural Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa
Oladele Vincent Adeniyi: Department of Family Medicine, Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, Mdantsane, East London 5201, South Africa

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 15, 1-9

Abstract: With increasing access to point of care ultrasound (POCUS) at district hospitals in South Africa, there is a lack of standardisation of skillsets among medical practitioners working at this level of care. This study protocol aims to use the Delphi process to achieve expert consensus on the essential and optional ultrasound skills required for medical practitioners working in district hospitals in South Africa. In alignment with the Delphi method, several iterative rounds will be implemented from June to November 2022. Purposive sampling will be conducted, through the recruitment of two representatives from each academic department of family medicine and two medical doctors working in district hospitals in each province in the country (N = 36). The POCUS skillsets published by the American Academy of Family Physicians will be circulated in the first iterative round, following which participants may suggest further additions. Once a consensus target of 70% has been achieved, the Delphi process will be finalised. The Delphi process and data analysis will be facilitated by an online Delphi platform. Findings from the study will provide insight into the design of the curriculum for POCUS training for medical practitioners in district hospitals and registrars in family medicine departments across the country.

Keywords: Delphi method; district hospitals; family physicians; point of care ultrasound; South Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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