Educational Framework For Preventing Contact-Transmitted Infections: A Macao Delphi Study With Nursing Students

Abstract

The increasing threat of contact-transmitted infectious diseases underscores the urgent need for robust emergency preparedness among nursing professionals, yet standardized training curricula for undergraduate nursing students, particularly those tailored to local contexts like Macao, remain underdeveloped. This study aimed to develop and achieve expert consensus on a structured emergency nursing knowledge training curriculum for undergraduate nursing students in Macao, focusing on contact-transmitted infectious diseases. A modified Delphi method was employed over six months. An initial curriculum framework, developed through qualitative semi-structured interviews, was systematically refined and validated through a two-round Delphi survey with a panel of 10 highly experienced experts (Round 1: n = 10; Round 2: n = 9). The expert panel demonstrated high credibility (authority coefficients > 0.87) and achieved a moderate, statistically significant consensus (Kendall’s W = 0.402 in Round 1, improving to 0.474 in Round 2; p < .001). This iterative process refined an initial 60-item framework into a finalized curriculum consisting of four modules, nine course titles, and 57 distinct items covering theoretical knowledge, infection control, psychological stress management, and practical skills. This study successfully developed a scientifically rigorous and contextually relevant emergency nursing curriculum that provides a vital educational tool to enhance the preparedness and competence of future nurses. This structured training model has significant implications for strengthening nursing education and public health resilience in Macao and other similar regions.