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Developing Quality Indicators for Postgraduate Academic Programs in Palliative Care: A Modified Delphi Consensus
Ignacio Borque1,2, Aida Cordero Botejara3, Jesús Martín-Martín4,5,6,7,8
1Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
Journal of Palliative Medicine
|August 7, 2026
Summary
A consensus of 21 quality indicators was developed for evaluating postgraduate palliative care programs. These indicators provide a structured framework for consistent assessment and comparability across diverse academic offerings.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Palliative Care
- Quality Improvement
Background:
- Palliative care is a growing global health priority.
- Postgraduate academic programs in palliative care lack standardized quality evaluation frameworks.
- Existing programs exhibit significant heterogeneity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a consensus-based set of quality indicators for evaluating postgraduate palliative care academic programs.
- To create an operational framework for quality assessment within the Spanish context.
Main Methods:
- A modified Delphi study involving 19 palliative care and education experts.
- Three rounds of indicator assessment focusing on essentiality, clarity, and measurability.
- Consensus defined by a mean score ≥3 and ≥75% agreement.
Main Results:
- Development of 21 consensus-based quality indicators organized into six domains.
- All final indicators were deemed essential and measurable.
- Agreement among experts increased throughout the study rounds.
Conclusions:
- A structured framework of 21 quality indicators for postgraduate palliative care programs has been established.
- The study identified challenges in balancing essential educational content with measurability.
- Further validation and international adaptation are recommended for broader application.
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