Remote patient education for people living with an ostomy: a protocol for an Italian consensus of experts

ABSTRACT Aim/Hypothesis People living with an ostomy face physical, psychological, and social challenges that benefit from structured education pathways. While in-person education conducted by stomatherapists improves outcomes, ostomy-specific guidance for remote education is lacking. This study aims to develop a national, expert-validated set of indications specifying what to teach, how to deliver it remotely (including mixed pathways), and how to evaluate it. Methods A modified Delphi, coupled with a consensus conference approach, will be conducted and reported via ACCORD. A heterogeneous national panel of stomatherapists with at least five years of professional experience and who have attended a 1500-hour specialisation course in stoma care; and expert patients, identified through the Italian National Federation of the Association of Incontinence and Ostomy Patients, will be recruited. Round 1 will be a 90-minute online focus group discussion to refine literature-derived indications and key definitions. Subsequent rounds, based on online surveys, will rate statements on a 4-point scale, allowing for free-text comments and controlled feedback. Consensus is defined as ≥75% agreement, with a target of ≥70% response rates between rounds. Quantitative data will be analysed for percentages and rates; qualitative comments will guide iterative revision. Results Outputs will include core educational content; criteria distinguishing face-to-face, remote, and mixed pathways; and minimum standards for equity, privacy, consent and data protection. Conclusion The study will deliver the first national consensus of experts for remote ostomy education, offering a practical, person-centered, secure blueprint for routine services and a shared outcome set for quality improvement.