Protocol for developing the nutrition dataset for the international spinal cord society: an international eDelphi approach.

STUDY

DESIGN

An eDelphi survey.

OBJECTIVE

To develop the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) basic and extended nutrition datasets for adults with SCI for the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS).

SETTING

This international eDelphi study, administered in Australia, will be conducted virtually, overseen by a Research Advisory Group.

METHODS

An expert panel will be recruited internationally to participate in a three-round eDelphi survey to develop the ISCoS basic and extended nutrition datasets. An a priori criterion will be implemented, defining strong consensus as an interquartile range (IQR) ≤ 1 and consensus as an IQR > 1/≤2. Mean and standard deviation will be calculated to measure convergence and stability depending on the data. Agreement will be determined as ≥ 80% per statement (Likert scale ratings of 4 and 5). A content analysis approach will be utilised to synthesise free-text responses.