Remote Patient Education for People Living with an Ostomy: An Italian Expert Consensus Using a Modified Delphi Method.

Introduction: Remote education is increasingly used in ostomy care, but its components, timing, governance, and evaluation remain inconsistently defined. This study aimed to develop practice-oriented recommendations for implementing remote patient education for people living with an ostomy. Methods:...

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Publicado en:Nursing Reports Vol. 16; no. 6; pp. 203 - 232
Autores principales: Villa, Giulia, Poliani, Andrea, Campoli, Alessia, Coppola, Annarita, Denti, Francesco Carlo, Guzzi, Rossella, Maculotti, Danila, Perrotta, Marina, Salazar, Clara, Sarritzu, Giovanni, Sgherri, Monica, Valenti, Antonio, Spena, Pier Raffaele, Manara, Duilio Fiorenzo
Formato: glossary research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: MDPI Jun2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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Sumario:Introduction: Remote education is increasingly used in ostomy care, but its components, timing, governance, and evaluation remain inconsistently defined. This study aimed to develop practice-oriented recommendations for implementing remote patient education for people living with an ostomy. Methods: An Italian expert consensus using a modified Delphi method and reported according to the ACCORD guidelines was conducted. An expert panel (n = 11), recruited nationally, included stomatherapists (n = 6) and people living with an ostomy (n = 5). Round 1 comprised a remotely conducted focus group to generate and refine statements informed by a targeted literature search. Rounds 2 and 3 were anonymous online surveys in which panelists rated statements on a four-point Likert scale and could provide comments or propose additional items. Consensus was predefined as ≥75% agreement. Results: Response rates were 100% across the three rounds (October–November 2025). The panel achieved consensus on 8 definitions and 14 statements, organized into six domains: (1) model of care and eligibility; (2) privacy and data protection; (3) program structure, outcomes, and evaluation; (4) educational content and teaching strategies; (5) timing, intensity, follow-up, and caregiver involvement; and (6) dignity, relational quality, and professional and organizational requirements. Recommendations supported a hybrid-by-default model with eligibility criteria, privacy-by-design using secure platforms and traceable documentation, structured programs with tailored multimodal content, staged pathways lasting 2–6 months after an initial in-person foundation, dignity-preserving options during remote encounters, professional training in communication and digital empathy, and integration into clinical planning and records. Conclusions: This consensus provides the first ostomy-specific, implementation-focused recommendations for standardizing remote patient education in Italy, with an emphasis on equity, privacy, dignity, evaluation, and workforce competencies.