Abstract: Objective · To initiate an assessment tool for radiation-induced skin ulcer and reach a standardized assessment for clinical use, so as to contribute to the determination of optimal therapy depending on the assessment. Methods · A questionnaire was designed by reviewing the literatures, referring to the logic of assessment tools of wound diseases including diabetic foot ulcer, pressure injury and lower extremity vascular ulcer, and discussing within the research group. Sixteen experts in wound healing were engaged in the consultation over two rounds of Delphi method. The expert concordance coefficient and expert positive coefficient as well as expert authority coefficient was analyzed by checking the feedback. The reliability of experts' consultation, as well as the coordination and scientificity with assessment tool were analyzed statistically. Then the assessment tool for radiation-induced skin ulcer was established. Results · Thirteen of 16 experts responded over the two rounds consultation. The established assessment tool for radiation-induced skin ulcer contains 2 first-level indicators, 10 second-level indicators and 35 third-level indicators. Within the two rounds of consultation, the positive coefficient were 87.50% and 100% respectively. The expert authority coefficient was 0.937. The Kendall's coefficient of concordance for two rounds consultation were 0.231 and 0.147 respectively (χ2=131.977 and χ2=87.849, P<0.05). Conclusion · Experts showed high enthusiasm toward this research, and had reliable authority. The expert evaluation opinions were well coordinated, thus the results were credible. The established assessment tool for radiation-induced skin ulcer was verified to be scientific and reliable. The tool is easy to be used in clinic. By use of this assessment tool, the therapeutic plan of radiation-induced skin ulcer could be made in a more standardized way.

Key words: radiation-induced skin ulcer, wound assessment tool, Delphi method