Consensus on the content of an instrument to measure person-centred teamwork: An e-Delphi study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To establish consensus on items to be included in an instrument to measure person-centred teamwork in a hospital setting. The objective was to identify the items through a methodological literature review. Refine the items and obtain consensus on the items.

BACKGROUND

A definition and related attributes of person-centred teamwork have been agreed upon. An instrument is needed to measure and monitor person-centred teamwork in hospital settings.

DESIGN

Consensus, electronic Delphi design.

METHODS

Items were identified through a methodological literature review. These items were included in three electronic Delphi rounds. Using purposive and snowball sampling, 16 international experts on person-centred care, teamwork and/or instrument development were invited to participate in three electronic Delphi rounds via Google Forms. Descriptive statistics were used to demonstrate their agreement on the relevance and clarity of each item. Items were included if consensus was 0.75. Content analysis was used to analyse written feedback from experts.

RESULTS

The response rate was 56% (n = 9/16). Nine experts participated over an 8-week period to reach consensus on the items to be included in an instrument to measure person-centred teamwork in hospital settings. The experts' responses and suggestions for rephrasing, removing and adding items were incorporated into each round.

CONCLUSION

A Delphi consensus exercise was completed, and experts reached agreement on 38 items to be included in an instrument that can be used to evaluate person-centred teamwork in hospital settings.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

We engaged with nine international experts in the academic and clinical field of person-centeredness, teamwork and/or instrument development. An online platform was used to allow the experts to give input into the study. The experts engaged from their own environment with full autonomy and anonymity. Person-centred teamwork, aimed at improving practice is now measurable. Person-centred teams improve outcomes of patients. Person-centred teamwork was specifically developed to assist low compliance areas in hospitals.