Priorities for research in emergency medical services for children: Results of a consensus conference

Study objective: To arrive at a consensus on the priorities for future rese arch in emergency medical services for children. Methods: A consensus group was convened using the Rand-UCLA Consensus Proce ss. The group took part in a 3-phase process. Round 1 involved reviewing a compendium of relevant research articles and answering a mailed questionnai re. Panel members were asked to prioritize topics on the basis of the 1993 Institute of Medicine Report on Emergency Medical Services for Children. Pa rticipants were asked to rate each topic based on the significance of the r esearch, and whether the topic would (1) improve general knowledge, (2) cha nge behavior, (3) improve health, (4) decrease the cost of care, or (5)chan ge public policy. A 4-point likert scale was used. Participants were also a sked if the research would require a multicenter study and if the research were feasible. Round 2 of the study involved a meeting of the panel, where the results of Round 1 were discussed and the topics were reprioritized. Th e topics were given a rank order and a final ranking was done in Round 3. Results: The panel considered a list of 32 topics; these were combined and reworded to give them more precise meaning. Several new topics were also ad ded. Fifteen topics were given a rank order and placed within the 7 broad c ategories of the Institute of Medicine report. Clinical aspects of emergenc y care, systems organization, configuration, and operation and injury preve ntion were given high priority rankings. The first 5 topics were very close in point-rank order. Conclusion: The panel was able to develop a list of important topics for fu ture research in emergency medical services for children that can be used b y foundations, governmental agencies, and others in setting a research agen da for such services.