An introduction to Delphi studies and consensus methods for genetic counselors

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Research
• Genetic Counseling
• Consensus Methods

Background:

• Delphi studies, a consensus method developed in the 1950s, utilize anonymity, iteration, controlled feedback, and statistical group response.
• This methodology is widely applied in various fields, including genetic counseling, for areas lacking conclusive evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explain the benefits of employing the Delphi method in genetic counseling research.
• To differentiate the Delphi method from other consensus-building approaches.
• To provide practical guidance for designing and implementing Delphi studies in this field.

Main Methods:

• The article reviews the application of Delphi studies in genetic counseling.
• It outlines key considerations for constructing a Delphi protocol.
• Practical implementation tips are provided, covering expert identification, round determination, questionnaire design, and results reporting.

Main Results:

• Delphi studies have been successfully used in genetic counseling for guideline development, curriculum design, competency selection, and quality metric establishment.
• Applications extend to creating Master's program curricula, defining clinical supervision competencies, developing core outcome sets, and standardizing outcome reporting.
• Quality assessment in genetic services has also been a focus of Delphi studies.

Conclusions:

• The Delphi method offers significant potential for advancing genetic counseling research and practice.
• Researchers must carefully consider protocol design choices to ensure study validity and impact.
• This methodology provides a structured approach to achieving expert consensus in areas with limited empirical data.