Recorded presentation

Lynley Rowan, PhD, Community Health, Utah Valley State College, 800 West University Parkway, Orem, UT 84058, 801-863-6228, rowanly@uvsc.edu, Robert Walsh, PhD, Community Health Department, Utah Valley State College, 800 West University Parkway, Orem, UT 84094, and Lynne Durrant, PhD, Health Education & Promotion, University of Utah, 215 HPER N, Salt Lake City, UT 84112.

As a prerequisite to improving the quality of emergency care in the pediatric population, a handful of prioritization processes are just now being initiated nationwide. Paramount to improving the quality of pediatric care is the prioritization of health needs. The investigators in this research followed emergency care pediatricians from across the nation during a two-day seminar and assisted them in reducing an original list of 53 health/ research priorities compiled by their steering committee, to a manageable list of 16.

The nominal group process, combined with a modified version of the Hanlon Method of Prioritization, was utilized in this experience. The nominal group process is a structured problem-solving or idea-generating strategy in which individuals’ ideas are gathered and combined in a face-to-face non-threatening group situation. The large group was divided randomly into six smaller groups of six to eight members each with a facilitator. Each member was given one minute to identify priorities. Other members were then given 3 minutes to voice support or opposition. Following this, a silent voting process was conducted. Tallies were then compiled from all groups.

Following the reduction of the 53-item list to 16 items, a modified version of the Hanlon method was implemented. Using a modified Hanlon Health Priority Setting Worksheet previously agreed upon during a series of meetings with members of the national steering committee, the Hanlon Method of placing more weight on feasibility was applied through the use of the following equation, (A+2B)C. The traditional categories of size, seriousness and feasibility of intervention were expanded to include such items as disruption to society, social importance, funding potential and practicality for the sponsoring/ funding organizations.

This work is important as a means of improving the standard of care by identifying research priorities using an agreed upon framework of decision-making.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Create a list of topics to be prioritized for the development of a research agenda
• Disscuss and apply the nominal group process to other health care settings
• Develop and modify the Hanlon method to be used as a tool to develop research priorities

Keywords: Research Agenda, Emergency Department/Room

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Working with a national group of pediatric emergency department physicians
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation