-
Palliative Medicine Sep 2017The Delphi technique is widely used for the development of guidance in palliative care, having impact on decisions with relevance for patient care. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The Delphi technique is widely used for the development of guidance in palliative care, having impact on decisions with relevance for patient care.
AIM
To systematically examine the application of the Delphi technique for the development of best practice guidelines in palliative care.
DESIGN
A methodological systematic review was undertaken using the databases PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete and EMBASE.
DATA SOURCES
Original articles (English language) were included when reporting on empirical studies that had used the Delphi technique to develop guidance for good clinical practice in palliative care. Data extraction included a quality appraisal on the rigour in conduct of the studies and the quality of reporting.
RESULTS
A total of 30 empirical studies (1997-2015) were considered for full-text analysis. Considerable differences were identified regarding the rigour of the design and the reporting of essential process and outcome parameters. Furthermore, discrepancies regarding the use of terms for describing the method were observed, for example, concerning the understanding of a 'round' or a 'modified Delphi study'.
CONCLUSION
Substantial variation was found concerning the quality of the study conduct and the transparency of reporting of Delphi studies used for the development of best practice guidance in palliative care. Since credibility of the resulting recommendations depends on the rigorous use of the Delphi technique, there is a need for consistency and quality both in the conduct and reporting of studies. To allow a critical appraisal of the methodology and the resulting guidance, a reporting standard for Conducting and REporting of DElphi Studies (CREDES) is proposed.
Topics: Decision Making; Delphi Technique; Evidence-Based Practice; Humans; Palliative Care
PubMed: 28190381
DOI: 10.1177/0269216317690685 -
Nursing Research 2018The Delphi method is a research approach that is beneficial when wanting to solve real-world problems, and expert opinions are needed.
BACKGROUND
The Delphi method is a research approach that is beneficial when wanting to solve real-world problems, and expert opinions are needed.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to describe the Delphi method as a qualitative research approach and provide a case study example of a study using the Delphi method to demonstrate the advantages and challenges of this methodological approach.
METHODS
A literature search was conducted to understand the Delphi method and examine its use in nursing.
RESULTS
The literature search revealed what the Delphi method was and how it could be used. To better help explain the method, a case study from the literature is presented.
DISCUSSION
Using the Delphi method in nursing research is becoming easier. With emerging technology, communication with geographically diverse experts may be easily and affordably achieved. With updated software, results can be interpreted almost immediately, and additional rounds of the Delphi occur in a timely manner, increasing participation and decreasing attrition rates. The Delphi method is a viable option for nurse researchers looking for expert opinion.
Topics: Delphi Technique; Humans; Nursing Research; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 30052591
DOI: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000297 -
International Journal of Clinical... Jun 2016Introduction The Nominal Group Technique (NGT) and Delphi Technique are consensus methods used in research that is directed at problem-solving, idea-generation, or... (Review)
Review
Introduction The Nominal Group Technique (NGT) and Delphi Technique are consensus methods used in research that is directed at problem-solving, idea-generation, or determining priorities. While consensus methods are commonly used in health services literature, few studies in pharmacy practice use these methods. This paper provides an overview of the NGT and Delphi technique, including the steps involved and the types of research questions best suited to each method, with examples from the pharmacy literature. Methodology The NGT entails face-to-face discussion in small groups, and provides a prompt result for researchers. The classic NGT involves four key stages: silent generation, round robin, clarification and voting (ranking). Variations have occurred in relation to generating ideas, and how 'consensus' is obtained from participants. The Delphi technique uses a multistage self-completed questionnaire with individual feedback, to determine consensus from a larger group of 'experts.' Questionnaires have been mailed, or more recently, e-mailed to participants. When to use The NGT has been used to explore consumer and stakeholder views, while the Delphi technique is commonly used to develop guidelines with health professionals. Method choice is influenced by various factors, including the research question, the perception of consensus required, and associated practicalities such as time and geography. Limitations The NGT requires participants to personally attend a meeting. This may prove difficult to organise and geography may limit attendance. The Delphi technique can take weeks or months to conclude, especially if multiple rounds are required, and may be complex for lay people to complete.
Topics: Consensus; Delphi Technique; Focus Groups; Humans; Pharmacy Research; Research Design
PubMed: 26846316
DOI: 10.1007/s11096-016-0257-x -
Zeitschrift Fur Evidenz, Fortbildung... Aug 2022Delphi techniques are conducted across different subfields in the health sciences. The reporting practices of studies using Delphi techniques vary, and current reporting... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Delphi techniques are conducted across different subfields in the health sciences. The reporting practices of studies using Delphi techniques vary, and current reporting guidelines for Delphi techniques focus on individual subfields of the health sciences or on different aspects of research and are therefore of limited applicability. The aim of this article was to identify similarities, differences, and possible shortcomings of existing Delphi reporting guidelines and to draft an initial proposal for a comprehensively applicable reporting guideline.
METHODS
A systematic literature search for reporting guidelines on Delphi studies was performed in existing data resources based on databases in the health sciences (Scopus, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Epistemonikos) including publications from 2016 to 2021. In June 2021, we conducted an additional search in PubMed and included further studies by contacting experts of the scientific Delphi expert network (DeWiss). Title and abstract screening of articles was performed, followed by a full-text screening of the articles included. We qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated, compared and contrasted the reporting guidelines identified using content analysis and discussed the results among the members of the Delphi expert network.
RESULTS
We retrieved ten health science articles with reporting guidelines for Delphi studies. In analyzing them, we identified nine main categories (Justification, Expert panel, Questionnaire, Survey design, Process regulation, Analyses, Results, Discussion, Methods reflection & Ethics). The current reporting guidelines vary significantly, with only the aspect of consensus appearing in all of them. Frequency distributions show that most of the subcategories are only addressed in individual articles (e.g., meeting of participants, proceeding with the survey method, transfer of the results, validation, prevention of bias) and that epistemological foundations of the Delphi technique are rarely mentioned or reflected on. We drafted an initial proposal for Delphi reporting guidelines for the health science sector.
DISCUSSION
A well-justified position concerning epistemological foundations of Delphi studies is necessary to make the quality of the process assessable and, along with the reporting of the process, to classify and compare study results. This will increase the acceptance of both the method in the health science sector and the results in medical practice. A Delphi reporting guideline must, above all, take into account the diversity of variants, subfield-related objectives and application areas, and their modifications of the Delphi technique in order to be comprehensively applicable in the health sciences.
CONCLUSION
The results of our methodological review do not provide a final reporting guideline. The newly developed proposal is intended to encourage discussion and agreement in further analyses.
Topics: Consensus; Delphi Technique; Germany; Humans; Research Design; Research Report
PubMed: 35718726
DOI: 10.1016/j.zefq.2022.04.025 -
Pflege Aug 2021
Topics: Attention; Delphi Technique; Humans
PubMed: 34292075
DOI: 10.1024/1012-5302/a000812 -
Family Medicine Mar 2019
Topics: Delphi Technique; Family Practice; Psychiatry
PubMed: 30861077
DOI: 10.22454/FamMed.2019.904643 -
Caries Research 2017
Topics: Consensus; Delphi Technique; Dental Caries; Dentistry; Humans; Publications
PubMed: 29040975
DOI: 10.1159/000480305 -
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Sep 2023
Topics: Humans; Consensus; Delphi Technique
PubMed: 37793713
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2023.09.007 -
Radiography (London, England : 1995) Sep 2017To describe and review the Delphi technique as a tool for radiographers engaged in mixed-methods research whereby agreement is required on the proficiencies needed by... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To describe and review the Delphi technique as a tool for radiographers engaged in mixed-methods research whereby agreement is required on the proficiencies needed by educational programmes for pre- and post- registration radiographers. This is achieved through a description offering a brief history of the technique. Through a literature search, radiography education research using this technique is identified. A protocol for a research project using the technique is presented. Using this worked example, advantages and disadvantages of the method are explored including sampling of participants, sample size, number of rounds and methods of feedback.
KEY FINDINGS
There are limited examples of the use of the Delphi technique in radiography literature including considerations on how to select experts and panel size.
CONCLUSION
The Delphi technique is a suitable method for establishing collective agreement in the design of radiography educational interventions. Additional research is needed to deepen this evidence-based knowledge.
Topics: Delphi Technique; Humans; Research; Technology, Radiologic
PubMed: 28780953
DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2017.03.007 -
European Journal of Cardiovascular... Oct 2021Delphi techniques are used in health care and nursing to systematically bring together explicit and implicit knowledge from experts with a research or practical...
Delphi techniques are used in health care and nursing to systematically bring together explicit and implicit knowledge from experts with a research or practical background, often with the goal of reaching a group consensus. Consensus standards and findings are important for promoting the exchange of information and ideas on an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary basis, and for guaranteeing comparable procedures in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Yet, the development of consensus standards using Delphi techniques is challenging because it is dependent on the willingness of experts to participate and the statistical definition of consensus.
Topics: Consensus; Delphi Technique; Humans
PubMed: 34245253
DOI: 10.1093/eurjcn/zvab059