Delphi project in bronchial asthma. Two stages

Abstract

From the paediatric point of view, we have undertaken two Delphi studies into bronchial asthma. The first is related to the consensus known as the consensus document of the five associations. The second is more recent and has been undertaken with GEMA (the Spanish Guidelines on the Management of Asthma). The aim of this paper is to carry out a descriptive study comparing the 2 Delphi processes and to objectively assess if in some way behaviour over the past two years has changed as far as expert opinion is concerned. In the consensus document those points giving rise to most controversy were the treatment of children under three years of age and treatment with immunotherapy in allergic asthma. It is also necessary to highlight how important it was at that particular point in time to define the phenotypes of wheezing and the predictive index of asthma in children of less than 3 years of age. Of the 52 questions in the questionnaire, in 13.6% the panel of experts reached no consensus in their positions. Following GEMA the Delphi methodology, 56 questions were asked in the first round of the questionnaire, and consensus was reached in 87.5%. As regards the paediatric part relating to diagnosis and treatment in children, agreement was reached on all the questions in the first round. Agreement was reached in 8.92% questions in the second round. Clinical guidelines and consensus documents can modify behaviour towards an illness, both in the diagnosis and treatment.

Indicators for childhood asthma in Spain, using the Rand method

“…21,22 The two main strengths of our study lie in the comprehensive systematic review of the literature and the participation of all those professionals involved in the care of paediatric asthma patients. For the most part, these professionals come from within the various regions of Spain and have different professional profiles, ranging from primary care to hospitals and pharmacies.…”

Achieving consensus in follow‐up practice for routine ENT procedures: a Delphi exercise

“…As far as the authors are aware, this is the first application of the Delphi exercise within a surgical service to rationalise follow‐up practices. The Delphi technique has previously been used to successfully facilitate consensus building amongst a group of experts within several medical fields 12–16 . Some of these experiences have been large Europe‐wide projects 15,16 .…”

Inhaled Corticosteroid/Long-Acting β₂-Agonist Combination Therapy for Asthma: Attitudes of Specialists in Europe

“…The process was devised by Norman Dalkey and Olaf Helmer at the RAND Corporation in the 1950s [17] and draws its name from the Oracle at Delphi in Ancient Greece. Following the success of the method in business and military applications, the Delphi process is increasingly used in studies reported in the biomedical literature, with data suggesting that several hundred papers using this technique have been published [18] and has been applied in numerous initiatives in respiratory medicine [19,20,21,22]. …”