Design and validation of key text messages (Tonsil-Text-To-Me) to improve parent and child perioperative tonsillectomy experience: A modified Delphi study. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Song, Jin Soo A.; Wozney, Lori; Chorney, Jill; Ishman, Stacey L.; Hong, Paul
• Is Part Of: International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology. Volume 102(2017:Nov.)
• Page Start: 32
• Page End: 37
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: Tonsillectomy -- Sleep disordered breathing -- Text messaging -- Perioperative care -- eHealth -- Health communication; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Oto-rhino-laryngologie -- Périodiques; Pédiatrie -- Périodiques; 618.9209751
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2017.08.029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-5876

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Parents can struggle while providing perioperative tonsillectomy care for their children at home. Short message service (SMS) technology is an accessible and direct modality to communicate timely, evidence-based recommendations to parents across the perioperative period. This study focused on validating a SMS protocol, Tonsil-Text-To-Me (TTTM), for parents of children undergoing tonsillectomy. Methods: This study used a modified Delphi expert consensus method. Participants were an international sample of 27 clinicians/researchers. Participants rated level of agreement with recommendations across seven perioperative domains, derived systematically from scientific and lay literature. A priori consensus analysis was conducted using threshold criterion. A multidisciplinary team of local clinicians were also individually interviewed to consolidate text messages and implement recurrent suggestions. Results: In the modified Delphi panel, 30 statements reached threshold agreement (>3.0 of 4.0); recommendations surrounding diet (3.87) and hygiene (3.83) had the highest level of consensus, while recommendations regarding activity (3.42) and non-pharmacologic pain management (3.55) had the lowest consensus. The 30 statements reconfigured into 12 concise text messages. After further interviews with local clinicians, 14 final text messages were included in the SMS protocol to be sent two weeks preoperatively to one week postoperatively. Conclusion: This study illustrates the development of TTTM which is designed to deliver key sequential text messages at the optimal time during the perioperative setting to parents caring for their children who are undergoing tonsillectomy.