Use of a Delphi panel to establish consensus for recommended uses of selected balance assessment approaches

Abstract

The Delphi survey is a useful mechanism to make recommendations for clinical judgments in the absence of practice guidelines for evidence-based decision making. Although there is a great deal of literature about the topic of various methods of balance assessment, decisions about application of research evidence for clinical practice may be subject to personal interpretation and/or biases of the reader. In this study, a panel of informed experts was used through a Delphi process to establish consensus regarding the recommended use of selected balance assessment methods based on the literature. Selective recruitment of experienced faculty members with advanced degrees and/or specialist certification in the content area identified seven knowledgeable informants. The panel participated in three rounds of discussion to develop a consensus-based summary of the recommended use of balance assessment methods commonly used in clinical practice and suggest how those measures fit within the framework of the Patient/Client Management Model of physical therapy practice. The outcomes of the Delphi process form a basis for recommended practice in the examination of patients with balance deficits and serve as a starting point in the development of evidence-based practice guidelines.

Acknowledgments

We thank the Delphi panel participants who generously offered their time and expertise. This research was completed by Dr. McGinnis in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree at Temple University. Dr. Hack served as Chair, and Dr. Nixon-Cave and Dr. Michlovitz were members of the Dissertation Advisory Committee.

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.