The following article makes a contribution to this by analyzing systematic reviews of the use of Delphi techniques in the health sciences.ĭelphi techniques are structured group communication processes in which complex issues where knowledge is uncertain and incomplete are evaluated by experts using in an iterative process ( 7, 8). Accordingly, there is thus a need from a methodological and epistemological standpoint to investigate Delphi techniques and their epistemic and methodological assumptions in more detail. systematic reviews, experiments, qualitative studies, personal experience) and on the methods used to ascertain consensus”. Jorm ( 2) puts it this way: “The quality of the evidence they produce depends on the inputs available to the experts (e.g. This expertise appears to be especially relevant when an experimental design cannot be carried out due to, for example, practical research or ethical reasons. On the one hand, they can call on their personal expertise and, on the other hand, they can call on knowledge from other types of studies, e.g., randomized controlled trials or metanalysis ( 6).
![delphi technique delphi technique](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Norazlina-Khamis/publication/237541474/figure/fig1/AS:298978194280448@1448293364233/Steps-in-Delphi-Technique.png)
Another aspect is that the experts in Delphi studies can draw on various sources of information to make their judgments. Based on the findings of Delphi techniques, guidelines or white papers are drafted that act as an important basis for carrying out and evaluating studies or publications ( 4, 5). Nevertheless, Delphi techniques are also highly relevant in health science studies. According to the recommendations of the US Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR), Delphi techniques are considered to provide the lowest level of evidence for making causal inferences and are thus subordinate to meta-analyses, intervention studies and correlation studies ( 3). While Delphi techniques are primarily used in the context of the technical and natural sciences to analyze future developments ( 1), they are often used in health sciences to find consensus ( 2). The relevance and objectives of Delphi techniques differ between the various disciplines. This is based on the assumption that a group of experts and the multitude of associated perspectives will produce a more valid result than a judgment given by an individual expert, even if this expert is the best in his or her field. The aim is to develop an expert-based judgment about an epistemic question. However, it should be noted that we cannot make any statements about the quality of execution of the Delphi studies but rather our results are exclusively based on the reported findings of the systematic reviews.ĭelphi techniques are used internationally to investigate a wide variety of issues. Criteria for evaluating the quality of their execution and reporting also appear to be necessary. Significant weaknesses exist in the quality of the reporting.Ĭonclusion: Based on the results, there is a need for clarification with regard to the methodological approaches of Delphi techniques, also with respect to any modification.
![delphi technique delphi technique](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uV9xFqblEy4/hqdefault.jpg)
A large number of modifications to the Delphi technique have now been developed.
![delphi technique delphi technique](https://image3.slideserve.com/6685930/the-delphi-technique-l.jpg)
Results: The 12 systematic reviews show, that Delphi studies are typically carried out in two to three rounds with a deliberately selected panel of experts. Methods: Twelve systematic reviews of Delphi techniques from different sectors of the health sciences were identified and systematically analyzed.
![delphi technique delphi technique](https://cdn.wallstreetmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Delphi-Method-1.jpg)
We use systematic reviews of Delphi techniques for the map, summarize their findings and examine them from a methodological perspective. In this map, we provide an overview of the fields of application for Delphi techniques in health sciences in this map and discuss the processes used and the quality of the findings. The aim is to collect expert-based judgments and often to use them to identify consensus. Objectives: In health sciences, the Delphi technique is primarily used by researchers when the available knowledge is incomplete or subject to uncertainty and other methods that provide higher levels of evidence cannot be used.