Journal article

A modified Delphi study of screening for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in Australia

Rochelle E Watkins, Elizabeth J Elliott, Jane Halliday, Colleen M O'Leary, Heather D'Antoine, Elizabeth Russell, Lorian Hayes, Elizabeth Peadon, Amanda Wilkins, Heather M Jones, Anne McKenzie, Sue Miers, Lucinda Burns, Raewyn C Mutch, Janet M Payne, James P Fitzpatrick, Maureen Carter, Jane Latimer, Carol Bower

BMC PEDIATRICS | BMC | Published : 2013

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is little reliable information on the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in Australia and no coordinated national approach to facilitate case detection. The aim of this study was to identify health professionals' perceptions about screening for FASD in Australia. METHOD: A modified Delphi process was used to assess perceptions of the need for, and the process of, screening for FASD in Australia. We recruited a panel of 130 Australian health professionals with experience or expertise in FASD screening or diagnosis. A systematic review of the literature was used to develop Likert statements on screening coverage, components and assessment methods which were..

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Grants

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Research Fellowships


Awarded by NHMRC Program Grant


Awarded by NHMRC Practitioner Fellowships


Awarded by NHMRC Enabling Grant


Awarded by Australian Research Council Future Fellowship


Funding Acknowledgements

We particularly thank the health professionals who completed the survey. We acknowledge the contributions of Alison Anderson who provided specialist programming advice, Laura Bond who was employed as a project officer, and Dr Bill Kean who was a project observer appointed by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. This study was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. Individual contributions were also supported by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Research Fellowships (CB 634341 and JH 1021252), an NHMRC Program Grant (CB and JMP 572742), NHMRC Practitioner Fellowships (EJE 457084 and 1021480), an NHMRC Enabling Grant (EJE and CB 402784) and an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (JL FT0991861).