Educator's blueprint: A primer on consensus methods in medical education research

Area of Science:

• Medical Education Research
• Health Professions Education
• Research Methodology

Background:

• Consensus methods are vital tools in medical education research.
• The Delphi technique and nominal group technique are commonly used.
• Standardized best practices are needed for effective implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide practical strategies for employing consensus methods in medical education.
• To guide researchers in ensuring best practices throughout the consensus process.
• To enhance the rigor and validity of consensus-based research.

Main Methods:

• The paper outlines five key strategic steps for consensus method application.
• Strategies cover method selection, questionnaire development, participant identification, round determination, and modification justification.
• This blueprint focuses on practical implementation for researchers.

Main Results:

• Clear, actionable strategies are presented for each of the five key steps.
• Guidance is provided on selecting appropriate consensus techniques.
• The paper emphasizes the importance of systematic planning and execution.

Conclusions:

• Implementing these strategies will improve the quality of consensus methods in medical education.
• Researchers can confidently apply these practical steps in future studies.
• This guidance supports robust and reliable consensus-building in educational research.