-
Frontiers in Public Health 2020In health sciences, the Delphi technique is primarily used by researchers when the available knowledge is incomplete or subject to uncertainty and other methods that...
In health sciences, the Delphi technique is primarily used by researchers when the available knowledge is incomplete or subject to uncertainty and other methods that provide higher levels of evidence cannot be used. The aim is to collect expert-based judgments and often to use them to identify consensus. In this map, we provide an overview of the fields of application for Delphi techniques in health sciences in this map and discuss the processes used and the quality of the findings. We use systematic reviews of Delphi techniques for the map, summarize their findings and examine them from a methodological perspective. Twelve systematic reviews of Delphi techniques from different sectors of the health sciences were identified and systematically analyzed. The 12 systematic reviews show, that Delphi studies are typically carried out in two to three rounds with a deliberately selected panel of experts. A large number of modifications to the Delphi technique have now been developed. Significant weaknesses exist in the quality of the reporting. Based on the results, there is a need for clarification with regard to the methodological approaches of Delphi techniques, also with respect to any modification. Criteria for evaluating the quality of their execution and reporting also appear to be necessary. However, it should be noted that we cannot make any statements about the quality of execution of the Delphi studies but rather our results are exclusively based on the reported findings of the systematic reviews.
Topics: Consensus; Delphi Technique; Medicine
PubMed: 33072683
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00457 -
Bulletin of the World Health... Jan 2024
Topics: Humans; Public Health; Delphi Technique; Global Health
PubMed: 38164326
DOI: 10.2471/BLT.24.010124 -
Bulletin of the World Health... Apr 2024
Topics: Humans; Public Health; Delphi Technique; Global Health
PubMed: 38562196
DOI: 10.2471/BLT.24.010424 -
Bulletin of the World Health... Feb 2024
Topics: Humans; Public Health; Delphi Technique; Global Health
PubMed: 38313149
DOI: 10.2471/BLT.24.010224 -
Revue D'epidemiologie Et de Sante... Nov 2021
Topics: Delphi Technique; Humans; Interdisciplinary Studies; Suicide
PubMed: 34642046
DOI: 10.1016/j.respe.2021.09.006 -
Journal of Public Health (Oxford,... Dec 2022In 2010, 240 billion US dollars was invested worldwide to conduct research for health; unfortunately, 200 billion was misused in the production and reporting of the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
In 2010, 240 billion US dollars was invested worldwide to conduct research for health; unfortunately, 200 billion was misused in the production and reporting of the evidence researched. Universities could facilitate students to acquire leadership competencies to move well-conducted research findings into practical use; this could be an essential move to reduce the misuse of investment.
METHODS
A literature review was done based on the Equator Network and Cochrane guidelines, followed by three Delphi rounds to select competencies.
RESULTS
Eleven papers were analysed out of 1121 items and 39/78 identified competencies were prioritized to be presented in the Delphi. Four out of 12 participants accepted to be involved in this project, and 22 competencies reached consensus and stability after three rounds. This framework conceptualizes competencies as the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values. The competencies were framed in four domains: knowledge management, engage diverse others in public health initiatives, training and capacity building/change management and communication.
CONCLUSION
This framework offers guidance to universities when instructing students with leadership competencies for KT. This project emphasizes that effective leadership should include personal conscience and self-determination values.
Topics: Humans; Leadership; Public Health; Delphi Technique; Professional Competence; Translational Science, Biomedical
PubMed: 34313301
DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdab286 -
BMC Health Services Research Aug 2021Hospital accreditation (HA) is an external evaluation of a hospital's structures, processes and results by an independent professional accreditation body using... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Hospital accreditation (HA) is an external evaluation of a hospital's structures, processes and results by an independent professional accreditation body using pre-established optimum standards. The Iranian hospital accreditation system faces several challenges. The overall aim of this study was to develop a model for Iran national hospital accreditation program.
METHODS
This research uses the modified Delphi technique to develop and verify a model of hospital accreditation. The first draft of the HA model was introduced through a critical review of 20 pioneer accreditation models and semi-structured interviews with 151 key informants from Public, private, semi-public, charity and military hospitals in Iran. Three rounds of Delphi were conducted with 28 experts of hospital accreditation to verify the proposed model. Panel members were selected from authors of research articles and key speakers in the area of hospital accreditation, senior managers of the country's health system, university professors in the fields of health policy and management across the country.
RESULTS
A comprehensive model for hospital accreditation was introduced and verified in this study. The HA model has ten constructs of which seven are enablers ("Management and leadership", "Planning", "Education and Research", "employee management", "patient management", "resource management", and "process management") and three are the results ("employee results", "patient and society results" and "hospital results"). These constructs were further broken into 43 sub-constructs. The enablers and results scored 65 and 35% of the model's total scores respectively. Then, about 150 accreditation standards were written and verified.
CONCLUSIONS
A comprehensive hospital accreditation model was developed and verified. Proper attention to structures, processes and outcomes and systemic thinking during the development of the model is one of the advantages of the hospital accreditation model developed in this study. Hospital accreditation bodies can use this model to develop or revise their hospital accreditation models.
Topics: Accreditation; Delphi Technique; Health Policy; Hospitals, Military; Humans; Iran; United States
PubMed: 34445975
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06904-4 -
Seminars in Reproductive Medicine Jul 2022Preconception health affects fertility, pregnancy, and future health outcomes but public awareness of this is low. Our aims were to rank priorities for preconception... (Review)
Review
Preconception health affects fertility, pregnancy, and future health outcomes but public awareness of this is low. Our aims were to rank priorities for preconception care (PCC), develop strategies to address these priorities, and establish values to guide future work in preconception healthcare in Australia. A Delphi technique involved two rounds of online voting and mid-round workshops. Inputs were a scoping review of PCC guidelines, a priority setting framework and existing networks that focus on health. During July and August, 2021, 23 multidisciplinary experts in PCC or social care, including a consumer advocate, completed the Delphi technique. Ten priority areas were identified, with health behaviors, medical history, weight, and reproductive health ranked most highly. Six strategies were identified. Underpinning values encompassed engagement with stakeholders, a life course view of preconception health, an integrated multi-sectorial approach and a need for large scale collaboration to implement interventions that deliver impact across health care, social care, policy and population health. Priority populations were considered within the social determinants of health. Health behaviors, medical history, weight, and reproductive health were ranked highly as PCC priorities. Key strategies to address priorities should be implemented with consideration of values that improve the preconception health of all Australians.
Topics: Australia; Delivery of Health Care; Delphi Technique; Female; Humans; Preconception Care; Pregnancy; Reproductive Health
PubMed: 35760312
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1749683 -
PloS One 2022In a predominantly biomedical healthcare model focused on cure, providing optimal, person-centred palliative care is challenging. The general public, patients, and... (Review)
Review
In a predominantly biomedical healthcare model focused on cure, providing optimal, person-centred palliative care is challenging. The general public, patients, and healthcare professionals are often unaware of palliative care's benefits. Poor interdisciplinary teamwork and limited communication combined with a lack of early identification of patients with palliative care needs contribute to sub-optimal palliative care provision. We aimed to develop a national quality framework to improve availability and access to high-quality palliative care in a mixed generalist-specialist palliative care model. We hypothesised that a whole-sector approach and a modified Delphi technique would be suitable to reach this aim. Analogous to the international AGREE guideline criteria and employing a whole-sector approach, an expert panel comprising mandated representatives for patients and their families, various healthcare associations, and health insurers answered the main question: 'What are the elements defining high-quality palliative care in the Netherlands?'. For constructing the quality framework, a bottleneck analysis of palliative care provision and a literature review were conducted. Six core documents were used in a modified Delphi technique to build the framework with the expert panel, while stakeholder organisations were involved and informed in round-table discussions. In the entire process, preparing and building relationships took one year and surveying, convening, discussing content, consulting peers, and obtaining final consent from all stakeholders took 18 months. A quality framework, including a glossary of terms, endorsed by organisations representing patients and their families, general practitioners, elderly care physicians, medical specialists, nurses, social workers, psychologists, spiritual caregivers, and health insurers was developed and annexed with a summary for patients and families. We successfully developed a national consensus-based patient-centred quality framework for high-quality palliative care in a mixed generalist-specialist palliative care model. A whole-sector approach and a modified Delphi technique are feasible structures to achieve this aim. The process we reported may guide other countries in their initiatives to enhance palliative care.
Topics: Aged; Consensus; Delphi Technique; Health Personnel; Humans; Palliative Care; Quality of Health Care
PubMed: 35320315
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265726 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2021Research is essential for evidence-based decision making. This study aimed to identify research priorities in the areas of field epidemiology and public health in the...
Research is essential for evidence-based decision making. This study aimed to identify research priorities in the areas of field epidemiology and public health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) from the perspectives of public health professionals. A Delphi technique, using online survey, was employed to reach 168 public health professionals who have experience in the EMR countries. The study took place between November 2019 and January 2020. Consensus on the research priorities was reached after two-round online questionnaires. A list of top 10 field epidemiology and public health research priorities in the EMR was developed. Of those priorities, four fell under health in emergency, war and armed conflict, two under communicable diseases, two under immunization, one under digital health, and one under sexual, reproductive, and adolescent health. Availability, adequacy, and quality of health services in crisis settings were scored as a top priority (mean = 4.4, rank 1), followed by use of technology to improve the collection, documentation, and analysis of health data (mean = 4.28, rank 2), and capacity of countries in the region to respond to emergencies (mean = 4.25, rank 3). This study was conducted prior to COVID-19 pandemic and, thus, it did not capture COVID-19 research as a priority area. Nevertheless, identified priorities under communicable diseases including outbreak investigation of infectious diseases, epidemics and challenges related to communicable diseases in the EMR were still notable. In conclusion, the field epidemiology and public health research priorities identified in this study through a systematic inclusive process could be useful to make informed decisions and gear the research efforts to improve the health of people in the EMR.
Topics: Adolescent; COVID-19; Delphi Technique; Humans; Pandemics; Public Health; Research; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34926363
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.690570