A FAMILY-CENTRED CORE OUTCOME SET FOR INFANTS UNDERGOING BRACE TREATMENT FOR DEVELOPMENTAL DYSPLASIA OF THE HIP

Introduction and ObjectiveBrace treatment is the cornerstone of managing developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in infants. Despite widespread use, clinical equipoise and varied practices exist around key aspects of brace treatment, including timing, duration, and weaning. High-quality evidence from randomised controlled trials is urgently needed to establish gold-standard care. Importantly, brace wearing isn't a benign intervention; it has a significant impact on the family unit, which is often overlooked.This study aims to define a family centred core outcome set (COS) for infants undergoing brace treatment to facilitate consistent reporting for future high-quality researchMethodFamily-centred outcomes identified through literature review and scoping survey involving key stakeholders. Identified outcomes were rated for perceived importance in a two-stage modified Delphi process. Finally, a consensus meeting held to establish the final COS.ResultsLiterature review and scoping survey with 131 stakeholders thematically analysed to generate a list of 14 outcome domains. A two-stage Delphi process identified the most important outcomes followed by consensus meeting to agree the final COS.ConclusionsThe impact of brace treatment on the family is profound but seldom considered in trials. This COS can standardise reporting on the family's experience and potentially become part of a broader COS for DDH infants undergoing brace treatment. This addresses a critical gap in DDH research, incorporating the family's experience into outcome reporting. By developing a family-centred COS, future trials can more accurately assess the holistic impact of brace treatment, ultimately improving clinical practice and family-centred care.