Successive surveys of an expert panel: research in decision-making with health visitors

A United Kingdom expert panel was consulted to develop a self-completion instrument for research on decision making in health visiting practice. The use of a Delphi-type technique demonstrated how a stand-alone postal survey was an insufficient measure for health visitors, requiring a supplementary follow-up method to study types of casework. A review of literature raised questions about the significance of intuitive thinking and reasoning in health visitor practice, in relation to measuring professional service and individual performance.