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Gadamerian philosophical hermeneutics as a useful methodological framework for the Delphi technique.International Journal of Qualitative... 2015In this article we aim to demonstrate how Gadamerian philosophical hermeneutics may provide a sound methodological framework for researchers using the Delphi Technique... (Review)
Review
In this article we aim to demonstrate how Gadamerian philosophical hermeneutics may provide a sound methodological framework for researchers using the Delphi Technique (Delphi) in studies exploring health and well-being. Reporting of the use of Delphi in health and well-being research is increasing, but less attention has been given to covering its methodological underpinnings. In Delphi, a structured anonymous conversation between participants is facilitated, via an iterative survey process. Participants are specifically selected for their knowledge and experience with the topic of interest. The purpose of structuring conversation in this manner is to cultivate collective opinion and highlight areas of disagreement, using a process that minimizes the influence of group dynamics. The underlying premise is that the opinion of a collective is more useful than that of an individual. In designing our study into health literacy, Delphi aligned well with our research focus and would enable us to capture collective views. However, we were interested in the methodology that would inform our study. As researchers, we believe that methodology provides the framework and principles for a study and is integral to research integrity. In assessing the suitability of Delphi for our research purpose, we found little information about underpinning methodology. The absence of a universally recognized or consistent methodology associated with Delphi was highlighted through a scoping review we undertook to assist us in our methodological thinking. This led us to consider alternative methodologies, which might be congruent with the key principles of Delphi. We identified Gadamerian philosophical hermeneutics as a methodology that could provide a supportive framework and principles. We suggest that this methodology may be useful in health and well-being studies utilizing the Delphi method.
Topics: Data Collection; Delphi Technique; Health; Hermeneutics; Humans; Philosophy; Research Design
PubMed: 25948132
DOI: 10.3402/qhw.v10.26291 -
Indian Journal of Medical Ethics 2022The code of ethical conduct for physiotherapy services must be compatible with the local culture. The ethical guidelines proposed here were developed through a... (Review)
Review
The code of ethical conduct for physiotherapy services must be compatible with the local culture. The ethical guidelines proposed here were developed through a literature review, focus group discussions, and finally a modified Delphi technique to achieve consensus after the data were analysed. At first, the collection of different ethical codes yielded 132 items. In the second stage, repetitive items were discarded, some new items were added, and the various codes were categorised into three domains. Overall, 175 items were considered in the Delphi stage. Subsequently, the items were reduced to 134 in total - 59 in the treatment domain, 41 in research, and 34 in the education domain. The resulting code of ethics will support patients, researchers, students, and teachers in the field of physical therapy with sensitivity to current Iranian legislation and culture.
Topics: Codes of Ethics; Consensus; Delphi Technique; Humans; Iran; Physical Therapists
PubMed: 34730099
DOI: 10.20529/IJME.2021.035 -
Nursing Standard (Royal College of... May 2015The Delphi technique is often used when consensus views of experts are sought in nursing education, management and clinical work. This article discusses the usefulness...
The Delphi technique is often used when consensus views of experts are sought in nursing education, management and clinical work. This article discusses the usefulness of the technique for research in nursing, using personal experience, past critiques and examples from contemporary nursing research.
Topics: Delphi Technique; Humans; Nursing Research
PubMed: 26015141
DOI: 10.7748/ns.29.39.43.e8804 -
Breast Disease 2023The Delphi technique is a consensus method aiming to obtain statistical estimations from a qualitative approach, through an iterative process that leads to consensus...
BACKGROUND
The Delphi technique is a consensus method aiming to obtain statistical estimations from a qualitative approach, through an iterative process that leads to consensus within experts. The main characteristics of the technique include iteration, anonymity, feedback, and consensus reaching. When high-quality, quantitative evidence on a particular topic is insufficient, the Delphi technique can be used for making decisions in clinical scenarios. However, the quality of studies on breast cancer conducted with this technique, has not been assessed.
OBJECTIVE
We aim to evaluate the quality of studies on breast cancer which used the Delphi technique as their method.
METHODS
A quality assessment tool (Quali-D) was created through consensus among experts on the Delphi technique. Then, the tool was applied to studies on breast cancer which used the Delphi technique as their method.
RESULTS
Studies conducted through the Delphi technique mainly assessed for quality indicators and expressed needs in patients with breast cancer. High-quality characteristics were reported in 63.89% of the studies. 98.61% used the Delphi technique due to lack of a more adequate method to solve their research question. 98.61% summarized and presented results in a clear way. In 91.67% of the studies, at least two rounds were conducted. 86.11% described the methods for expert selection in a complete manner. Only 54.17% of the studies reported an anonymous process and 4.17% of the studies disclosed conflicts of interest thoroughly.
CONCLUSIONS
A variety of topics were assessed through the Delphi technique in cases where no other technique would have been more appropriate for assessing these issues. Significant limitations are present in terms of anonymity and full disclosure of conflicts of interest. We found that the quality of studies conducted with the Delphi technique regarding breast cancer is overall good. However, the limitations of each study must be considered when applying their results to clinical practice.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Delphi Technique; Consensus
PubMed: 37154176
DOI: 10.3233/BD-220079 -
Medicine Feb 2023The use of the Delphi technique is prevalent across health sciences research, and it is used to identify priorities, reach consensus on issues of importance and... (Review)
Review
The use of the Delphi technique is prevalent across health sciences research, and it is used to identify priorities, reach consensus on issues of importance and establish clinical guidelines. Thus, as a form of expert opinion research, it can address fundamental questions present in healthcare. However, there is little guidance on how to conduct them, resulting in heterogenous Delphi studies and methodological confusion. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to introduce the use of the Delphi method, assess the application of the Delphi technique within health sciences research, discuss areas of methodological uncertainty and propose recommendations. Advantages of the use of Delphi include anonymity, controlled feedback, flexibility for the choice of statistical analysis, and the ability to gather participants from geographically diverse areas. Areas of methodological uncertainty worthy of further discussion broadly include experts and data management. For experts, the definition and number of participants remain issues of contention, while there are ongoing difficulties with expert selection and retention. For data management, there are issues with data collection, defining consensus and methods of data analysis, such as percent agreement, central tendency, measures of dispersion, and inferential statistics. Overall, the use of Delphi addresses important issues present in health sciences research, but methodological issues remain. It is likely that the aggregation of future Delphi studies will eventually pave the way for more comprehensive reporting guidelines and subsequent methodological clarity.
Topics: Humans; Delphi Technique; Consensus; Medicine; Research Design
PubMed: 36800594
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000032829 -
Family Medicine Mar 2019
Topics: Delphi Technique; Family Practice; Psychiatry
PubMed: 30861077
DOI: 10.22454/FamMed.2019.904643 -
Palliative Medicine Dec 2021The WHO definition of palliative care includes bereavement support as integral to palliative care, yet a previous survey of bereavement support in palliative care in...
BACKGROUND
The WHO definition of palliative care includes bereavement support as integral to palliative care, yet a previous survey of bereavement support in palliative care in Europe has shown a range of service responses to loss. A rigorous approach to agreeing and implementing a palliative care bereavement framework was required.
AIM
The aim of this study was to develop consensus on best-practice recommendations for bereavement care principles, structures, processes and delivery based on current practice and evidence.
DESIGN
In accordance with Guidance on Conducting and Reporting Delphi Studies, a consensus-building five-round Delphi technique was performed. A scoping review of research literature informed drafting of 54 statements by the EAPC Bereavement Task Force. Evaluation of the statements was performed by an expert panel using a 5-point Likert scale. ⩾80% agreement were defined as essential items and 75%-79% agreement were defined as desirable items. Items with a consensus rating <75% were revised during the process.
SETTING/PARTICIPANTS
The Delphi study was carried out by an expert panel among membership organisations of the European Association for Palliative Care.
RESULTS
In total, 376 email requests to complete Delphi questionnaire were distributed with a response rate of 23% ( = 87) and a follow-up response-rate of 79% ( = 69). Of the initial 54 statements in six dimensions, 52 statements were endorsed with 26 essential statements and 26 desirable statements.
CONCLUSIONS
The six dimensions and 52 statements agreed through this Delphi study clarify a coherent direction for development of bereavement services in palliative care in Europe.
Topics: Consensus; Delphi Technique; Europe; Hospice Care; Humans; Palliative Care
PubMed: 34488504
DOI: 10.1177/02692163211043000 -
Family Medicine Jun 2021Experts in medical education hypothesize that programs with a robust culture of feedback foster learning and growth for learners and educators, yet the literature shows...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Experts in medical education hypothesize that programs with a robust culture of feedback foster learning and growth for learners and educators, yet the literature shows no consensus for what defines a feedback culture in graduate medical education.
METHODS
Using a two-round, modified Delphi technique in summer and fall of 2019, the authors asked a panel of experts to identify essential elements to a feedback culture. The research team compiled a list of experts and a list of 29 descriptors of a highly functioning feedback culture. Experts rated the items as an essential, compatible, or not important aspect of a highly functioning culture of feedback. Researchers set a minimum threshold of 80% agreement and used comments from panelists to revise elements that did not meet agreement during round one. Experts then rerated the elements using information on their initial ratings, aggregate panelist ratings, and comments from all panelists.
RESULTS
The response rates from our panel of experts were 68% (17/25) for round one and 88% (15/17) for round two. Seventeen elements were rated as essential to a feedback culture.
CONCLUSIONS
An expert panel endorsed essential elements that can be used to assess feedback culture in graduate medical education programs.
Topics: Consensus; Delphi Technique; Education, Medical, Graduate; Feedback; Humans
PubMed: 34077962
DOI: 10.22454/FamMed.2021.600416 -
Age and Ageing Jan 2017
Topics: Aging; Biomedical Research; Consensus; Delphi Technique; Humans
PubMed: 28181633
DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afw183 -
Evidence-based Nursing Jul 2020
Topics: Consensus; Delphi Technique; Humans; Research Design
PubMed: 32430290
DOI: 10.1136/ebnurs-2020-103303