Consensus methods for medical and health services research

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Medical Decision Making
• Nursing Research

Background:

• Healthcare professionals often struggle with decision-making due to insufficient or contradictory information.
• Statistical methods like meta-analysis are useful but require specific data formats.
• Existing information may be inadequate or unavailable for critical health-related decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe consensus methods as a means of synthesizing information for decision-making.
• To outline the Delphi process and nominal group technique for health research.
• To discuss the application and methodological considerations of consensus methods in healthcare.

Main Methods:

• Description of two consensus methods: the Delphi process and the nominal group technique (expert panel).
• Explanation of the situations where each method is most appropriate.
• Inclusion of authors' work examples to illustrate the processes.

Main Results:

• Consensus methods can harness expert insights when published data is insufficient.
• These methods accommodate a broader range of information compared to purely statistical approaches.
• The study details the practical application and distinct contributions of consensus methods.

Conclusions:

• Consensus methods, including Delphi and nominal group technique, are valuable tools for health providers.
• They aid in decision-making, particularly in clinical practice and health service development.
• Effective utilization requires understanding methodological issues and appropriate application contexts.