title: Planning the content of a brief educational course in maxillofacial emergencies for staff in accident and emergency departments: a modified Delphi study.
abstract: It is well known that staff in accident and emergency (A&E) departments lack the knowledge and confidence needed to deal with maxillofacial emergencies, and that it is related to limited education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. We therefore aimed to design a syllabus for a short course to educate staff about the most common emergencies. To find out which learning outcomes should be included and to reach a consensus, we did a 3-stage modified Delphi study of the opinions of members of the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS). Of a possible 890 members, 188 responded (21%) in the second round and 105 in the third (12%). Eighteen (37%) of the 49 proposed learning outcomes were rated very important and all of them were retained in the syllabus after the third round. Thirty (61%) items were retained with a consensus of 51% or above in the final round. The Delphi technique is a useful addition to the armamentarium of those involved in education, and has been used effectively in syllabus design. We achieved good consensus on the items to be included and the syllabus will be piloted locally.
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hawthorne Suite, Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Charles Hastings Way, Worcester WR5 1DD, Worcestershire, UK; Centre for Medical Education, University of Dundee, The Mackenzie Building, Kirsty Semple Way, Dundee DD2 4BF, Scotland, UK. Electronic address: rosselledge@doctors.net.uk.
authors.forename: Ross O C
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Elledge
authors.affiliation: Centre for Medical Education, University of Dundee, The Mackenzie Building, Kirsty Semple Way, Dundee DD2 4BF, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McAleer
mesh_terms: D058109:Airway Management; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D003697:Delphi Technique; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000293:injuries; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D019242:Oral Medicine / Q000193:education; D009915:Orbit / Q000293:injuries; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013515:Surgery, Oral / Q000193:education*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Delphi technique; Emergency medicine; Maxillofacial emergencies; Medical education