The Delphi method is a structured and systematic technique used to gather consensus on specific issues from a group of experts. This iterative, consensus gathering approach is characterised by controlled feedback and participant (pseudo) anonymity. Delphi panels can be used on a wide range of topics, for example, to generate treatment guidelines or recommendations, provide inputs for economic models using structured expert elicitation, or provide opinion on current patient care and unmet medical needs.

We have been conducting Delphi panels on behalf of our clients for more than 5 years, with topics including diagnosis and treatment of patients with a rare lipid storage disease,1 UK standard of care for haemophilia patients with inhibitors2 and key challenges and strategies for wound management in total knee arthroplasty.3

Delphi App Mockup

Innovation in Action: Our Delphi Panel App

Delphi panels are an effective way of gathering consensus but can be challenging to conduct in a robust way that minimises the burden on participants. Our Technical Innovation and Development team have created a bespoke Delphi app, which allows the user to design, run, and analyse Delphi panels in a single platform. Following development and beta testing, we’ve used the app to help us shortlist areas to dedicate our pro bono time towards. We also conducted a pilot project in collaboration with Antibiotic Research UK, where we used the app to help the charity prioritise goals and objectives for their 5-year strategy.

We are now routinely using our app to conduct Delphi panels on behalf of our clients and collaborators, enabling them to conduct methodologically robust Delphi panels more easily. In doing so, we look forward to improving the quality of Delphi panels in the literature and increase the utility of this method as an evidence generation tool in the healthcare setting.

References

  1. Stelten, BML; Dotti, MT; Verrips, A et al. Expert opinion on diagnosing, treating and managing patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX): a modified Delphi study. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. 2021;16(1):353.
  2. Khair, K; Chalmers, E; Flannery, T et al. Expert opinion on the UK standard of care for haemophilia patients with inhibitors: a modified Delphi consensus study. Ther Adv Hematol. 2021;12:20406207211007058.
  3. Lyons, M; Nunley, RM; Amran, BAS et al. PSU28 Goals, challenges and solutions for wound closure and bleeding management in total knee arthroplasty: a modified Delphi panel. Value in Health. 2019;22:S370.

If you are interested in finding out more about the app or our Delphi panel capabilities in general, please contact Annabel Griffiths.

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