Creating a Multisite Developmental Neuropsychiatric Curriculum Using a Modified Delphi Process

Background: Several non-accredited developmental neuropsychiatry fellowships have been initiated across the nation to help increase the number of providers with expertise in treating patients with autism and developmental disabilities. Providing education on the most essential and current topics is of utmost importance for the education of the fellows and the integrity of the programs.

Objectives: All graduates should have a basic unified knowledge base upon completion of their training. Currently, programs are all running separate educational lectures. The purpose is to create a more unified curriculum.

Methods: Faculty expertise was utilized across training programs and from expert clinicians and researchers in the field. A core educational curriculum of 12 topics was proposed for Developmental Neuropsychiatry fellowships. A subcommittee was formed within the Autism and Intellectual Disability committee of AACAP (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry). Members of this subcommittee were experienced clinicians, educators and researchers in the field. At the 2016 annual AACAP meeting, an initial list of 24 educational topics was created and reviewed by the subcommittee. Experts were identified to participate in a modified Delphi process to revise topics and then narrow down the curriculum to 12 topics. Experts included members of the Autism and Intellectual Disability Committee and members of the Developmental Neuropsychiatric Fellowship subcommittee. IRB exemption was obtained through Maine Medical Center.

Results: Three rounds of the Delphi process produced 12 final topics. See uploaded image.

Conclusions: During the process, several new topics were added and others were modified. Using a modified Delphi process to obtain expert consensus was successful in creating a core curriculum that could be provided to Developmental Neuropsychiatric Fellowships at a national level.