Article type
Year
Abstract
Introduction: The Delphi Technique is a consensus method used to obtain the opinions of experts in a systematic way. The essential features of the Delphi Technique are: anonymity, feedback and repetition. Questions are formulated on the issues to be addressed and sent to a group of experts. The results are tabulated and reported to the respondants who then answer the questionnaire again. This process continues until opinion converges or 'fatigue' occurs.
Objective: We report the effect of incorporating evidence from the literature into the Delphi Technique.
Methods: We used the Delphi Technique to gain consensus about controversial management issues in acute gastroenteritis in children at the Women's and Children's Hospital in 1995. Respondants were provided with a critique of the relevant clinical trials from the medical literature at the same time as the results of the first round.
Results: The questionnaires were sent to 73 paediatricians and paediatric registrars with return rates of 82%, 82% and 77% for the three rounds. Consensus was reached on 34 of the 106 questions in the first round, and 34 of 72 questions in the second round. After three rounds four questions remained on which agreement could not be reached. Of the 68 questions which were repeated, unchanged, in the second round information was provided in the literature summary for 34. For questions for which no evidence was available, 41% showed a change in response favouring the view expressed by the majority of respondants in round one. Of the questions for which information was provided, 71% showed a change in response towards the views supported by the evidence. This difference is significant (p < 0.05).
Discussion: The Delphi Technique can be used as a tool for incorporating evidence-based medicine into practice. In this study evidence from the scientific literature influenced clinicians more than the opinions of their colleagues.
Objective: We report the effect of incorporating evidence from the literature into the Delphi Technique.
Methods: We used the Delphi Technique to gain consensus about controversial management issues in acute gastroenteritis in children at the Women's and Children's Hospital in 1995. Respondants were provided with a critique of the relevant clinical trials from the medical literature at the same time as the results of the first round.
Results: The questionnaires were sent to 73 paediatricians and paediatric registrars with return rates of 82%, 82% and 77% for the three rounds. Consensus was reached on 34 of the 106 questions in the first round, and 34 of 72 questions in the second round. After three rounds four questions remained on which agreement could not be reached. Of the 68 questions which were repeated, unchanged, in the second round information was provided in the literature summary for 34. For questions for which no evidence was available, 41% showed a change in response favouring the view expressed by the majority of respondants in round one. Of the questions for which information was provided, 71% showed a change in response towards the views supported by the evidence. This difference is significant (p < 0.05).
Discussion: The Delphi Technique can be used as a tool for incorporating evidence-based medicine into practice. In this study evidence from the scientific literature influenced clinicians more than the opinions of their colleagues.