Consensus on key domains for emergency medical teams deployment evaluation: a Delphi method study

BACKGROUND: Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) deploy to provide urgent care during and after sudden onset disasters. Although the World Health Organisation has set standards for EMTs on training, personnel, and operations, there is presently no standardised evaluation framework to assess deployments. METHODS: As a step towards creation of an EMT deployment evaluation framework with an agreed upon common set of criteria, we used a two-round modified Delphi method to elicit perspectives from key stakeholders, including EMT members, researchers, funders, representatives of deploying governments, and host organisations. We asked participants to rate themes and questions relevant to EMT evaluation, derived from a previous study, using a four-point Likert scale, with consensus considered reached when 75% or more respondents rated the themes or questions 'slightly suitable' or 'highly suitable'. RESULTS: Two rounds of the Delphi process were completed by 15 and 16 participants, respectively, with all first-round participants plus an additional person participating in the second round. Participants reached consensus on all 23 proposed themes and 162 of 165 (98%) proposed questions, with near unanimous views on many: 17 themes and 55 questions reached 100% consensus. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the consensus findings and guided by the pillar themes and questions outlined in the World Health Organization's After Action Review guidance, we proposed a preliminary structure for an EMT evaluation. These findings can serve as a foundation to inform the future design of a standardised evaluation framework. Further refinement through iterative testing and stakeholder consultation will enhance the framework's practicality and adaptability.