Developing an Environmental Health Sciences COVID-19 Research Agenda: Results from the NIEHS Disaster Research Response (DR2) Work Group’s Modified Delphi Method

Abstract

Leveraging the community of practice recently established through the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Disaster Research Response (DR2) working group, we used a modified Delphi method to identify and prioritize environmental health sciences Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and associated Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) research questions. Twenty-six individuals with broad expertise across a variety of environmental health sciences subdisciplines were selected to participate among 45 self-nominees. In Round 1, panelists submitted research questions and brief justifications. In Round 2, panelists rated the priority of each question on a nine-point Likert scale. Responses were trichotomized into priority categories (low priority; medium priority; and high priority). A research question was determined to meet consensus if at least 69.2% of panelists rated it within the same priority category. Research needs that did not meet consensus in round 2 were redistributed for re-rating. Fourteen questions met consensus as high priority in round 2, and an additional 14 questions met consensus as high priority in round 3. We discuss the impact and limitations of using this approach to identify and prioritize research questions in the context of a disaster response.

Mapeo de protocolos de investigación, publicaciones y colaboraciones sobre la COVID-19 en América Latina y el Caribe

“…Un reciente estudio bibliométrico ha evaluado los 100 artículos más citados a nivel mundial. Los campos de estudio sobre la enfermedad y que fueron posteriores al documento de OMS (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20). Sin embargo, no es el objetivo de este mapeo cotejarlas.…”

Codeveloping a community-based, peer-led psychosocial support intervention to reduce tuberculosis-related stigma in Indonesia: a mixed-methods participatory action study

“…Many studies have also employed Delphi surveys to identify research priorities, and they are considered an essential method for developing consensual guidance and a highly informative source of evidence in healthcare research and intervention design. [27][28][29] To mitigate against selection bias, we invited stakeholders representing all sectors of both the TB health system and TB-affected communities and representatives. The relevant stakeholders included: representatives from government (the Indonesian NTP manager, NTP managers at district levels, healthcare workers at primary health centers responsible for TB program); TB-related civil society organizations (TB survivors organization [POP-TB] and Stop TB Partnership Indonesia); researchers (Indonesian TB researcher network [JetSet TB]; Indonesian Expert Committee for TB, Indonesian Psychiatrist Association, and Indonesian Public Health Association); and people with drug-susceptible (DS) and drug-resistant (DR) TB.…”

The development of the national tuberculosis research priority in Indonesia: A comprehensive mixed-method approach

“…The Delphi survey is a relevant source of evidence in healthcare research. The survey has been used to identify research priorities in many countries and health subjects [30][31][32] and allows access to a wide range of experts without spending considerable resources. Furthermore, this method also allows iteration around the topics in question.…”