Establishing Expert Consensus on Competencies for Safe Ward-Based Postoperative Epidural Analgesia Management: Protocol for a Modified Delphi Study.

Abstract

Postoperative epidural analgesia (EA) is an important analgesic strategy for selected surgical procedures. However, clinical practice and training vary across settings, and no consensus-based framework currently defines the competencies required for safe ward-based EA management. A modified Delphi study will establish expert consensus on competencies for ward-based postoperative EA management. Items derived from prior empirical work will be rated by experts across three Delphi rounds: two rounds in which experts rate the relevance of each item on a seven-point Likert scale with controlled feedback between rounds, followed by a third round in which experts rate the required competence level for included items using Miller's pyramid. The study is expected to generate consensus on essential competencies and their required level for safe ward-based postoperative EA management. The findings will inform the development of a competency-based training framework and may contribute to more consistent practice and improved patient safety.