The Delphi technique in health sciences education research

Abstract

The Delphi technique is a method of collecting opinion on a particular research question. It is based on the premise that pooled intelligence enhances individual judgement and captures the collective opinion of a group of experts without being physically assembled. The conventional Delphi uses a series of questionnaires to generate expert opinion in an anonymous fashion and takes place over a series of rounds. The technique is becoming a popular strategy that straddles both quantitative and qualitative realms. Issues that are critical to its validity are the development of the questionnaire; definition of consensus and how to interpret non-consensus; criteria for and selection of the expert panel; sample size; and data analysis. The authors used the Delphi technique to assist with making recommendations regarding education and training for medical practitioners working in district hospitals in South Africa. The objective of this Delphi was to obtain consensus opinion on content and methods relating to the maintenance of competence of these doctors. They believe the experience gained from their work may be useful for other health science education researchers wishing to use the Delphi method.

Notes

Notes on contributors

MARIETJIE DE VILLIERS is a family physician who currently heads up the School of Public and Primary Health Sciences at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. She has a special interest in health sciences education and rural health, and holds a doctoral degree that examined issues around maintenance of competence for rural medical practitioners in South Africa.

PIERRE DE VILLIERS is the Head of the Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, and has a special interest in the application of technology mediated methods in family medicine postgraduate education. He is the Editor of the South African Family Practice Journal, and acted as the supervisor for Marietjie de Villiers's thesis. (Pierre and Marietjie are not related.)

ATHOL KENT is a medical education specialist who worked for many years in this field at the University of Cape Town, and convened the successful Ottawa in Africa Medical Education Congress in Cape Town in 2000. He currently produces a continuing education journal for Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and acts as the Chairperson of the SA Association of Health Science Educationalists.