Development of home care demand indicators for Chinese informal enterostomy caregivers according to the “internet + nursing” model: A Delphi study

Purpose To establish a home care framework for assessing Chinese informal enterostomy caregivers’ demand on the basis of the “internet + nursing” model, providing an evidence-based foundation for efforts to optimize home care platforms and enhancing service quality. Methods The two-round Delphi method was used in this study. Initial indicators were identified based on a systematic literature review and semi-structured interviews with ten Chinese informal caregivers. Sixteen experts participated in two rounds of Delphi consultations, conducted between May and June 2024. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was subsequently used to determine indicator weights. Results The expert response rate was 94.1% in the first round and 100% in the second round. The authority coefficients were 0.88 and 0.95, respectively. Kendall’s W values ranged from 0.146 to 0.304 ( P  < 0.05), thus reflecting a consensus on a final set of 3 primary indicators: “healthcare needs,” “socioemotional support needs,” “online platform functional needs”, 8 secondary, and 32 tertiary indicators. Conclusions This validated indicator system provides a structured framework for efforts to develop “internet + nursing” platforms and address the identified gaps in caregiver training and psychosocial support, with broad applicability.