Australasian Delirium Association Education Consensus Statement: a curriculum mapping and virtual nominal group technique study

Introduction: Delirium is common, serious and under-recognised. Educational interventions improve knowledge, skills, and attitudes thereby improving recognition and patient outcomes. The aim of our study was to develop an interprofessional Delirium Education Consensus Statement for Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). 

Methods: Delirium relevant content was identified in three undergraduate geriatric medicine curricula from Australia, UK and USA and mapped to the Australian Delirium Clinical Care Standard. This mapping formed the basis of a blueprint consensus statement, which was discussed in a virtual nominal group, with 22 stakeholders including people with lived experience collaborating with clinicians and students from diverse backgrounds across ANZ. 

Results: The nominal group technique achieved a final consensus statement with eight cross- cutting themes and eight overarching learning outcomes. Themes and learning outcomes broadly map to the Australia Delirium Clinical Care Standard, but also address gaps in the standard (i.e., management of delirium). The eight interprofessional learning outcomes encompass significance, precipitating causes, screening, collaboration, comprehensive assessment, limited role for pharmacological interventions, communication, and individualised care. 

Conclusion: This combined curriculum mapping and nominal group technique study has produced a consensus statement, particularly notable for involvement of people with lived experience and multiprofessional undergraduate students. These recommendations will help to benchmark the expectations of interprofessional learning in delirium across the spectrum of undergraduate and postgraduate training and practice.