Approach for participatory Delphi method for structuring voices, population empowerment and research training

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Educational Research Methodology

Background:

• The Delphi panel is an expert consensus-building methodology.
• Participatory research integrates the target population into the research process.
• Traditional Delphi panels often exclude the end-users of educational programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and demonstrate a 'change-oriented' participatory Delphi panel methodology.
• To collect and analyze health-related students' views on educational curricula.
• To highlight the effectiveness of active student participation in curriculum design.

Main Methods:

• A participatory Delphi panel was developed, involving health-related students as expert panelists.
• Students contributed to questionnaire design, response, and analysis across multiple rounds.
• Data synthesis and grading were used to identify consensus on educational topics.

Main Results:

• The 'change-oriented' Delphi panel successfully engaged health students in the research process.
• The methodology facilitated the collection and analysis of student-centered educational insights.
• Consensus levels (higher, medium, lower) were determined for various educational aspects.

Conclusions:

• The participatory Delphi approach is effective for incorporating student expertise into curriculum development.
• This replicable methodology can enhance educational curricula by actively involving students.
• Participatory Delphi panels provide valuable opportunities for research engagement and curriculum innovation.