Development of an index to assess adherence to the traditional Mexican diet using a modified Delphi method

Abstract Objective: Promoting a traditional Mexican diet (TMexD) could potentially reduce high rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and support food sustainability in Mexico. This study aimed to develop an index to assess adherence to the TMexD. Design: A three-round Delphi study was conducted to examine the food groups, specific foods, and food-related habits that would constitute a TMexD index. Participants selected the TMexD items using Likert scales, lists of responses, and yes/no questions. Consensus was determined using percentages of agreement, mean values and/or coefficients of variation. Setting: Online Delphi study. Participants: Seventeen nutrition and food experts in Mexico completed all three rounds. Results: The resulting index (ranging from 0 to 21 points) consisted of 15 food groups, containing 102 individual foods. Food groups included in higher quantities were maize, other grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts and seeds, and tubers. Animal foods, vegetable fats and oils, home-made beverages, maize-based dishes, and plain water were also included, but in lower quantities. The food-related habits included were consuming home-made meals, socialising at meals, and buying food in local markets. Consensus was reached for all index items apart from quantities of consumption of six food groups (herbs, nuts, grains, tubers, dairy, and eggs). Conclusions: Although future research could improve the measures for which consensus was not reached, the TMexD index proposed in this study potentially displays a healthy and sustainable dietary pattern and could be used to examine links between the TMexD and health outcomes in Mexican populations.

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Early-Career Challenges of Youth Development Extension Educators and Effective Strategies

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13169017 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (16) ◽

pp. 9017

Author(s):

Koralalage S. U. Jayaratne ◽

Daniel P. Collins ◽

Shannon B. McCollum

Keyword(s):

Youth Development ◽

Delphi Method ◽

Delphi Study ◽

Research Study ◽

Expert Panel ◽

Early Career ◽

Future Research ◽

Extension Educators ◽

Effective Strategies ◽

Modified Delphi

The purpose of this research study was to determine the challenges faced by early-career youth development extension educators and strategies helpful in managing those challenges. This study used the modified Delphi method of three rounds with a specifically selected expert panel of 24 members to build consensus on the challenges that early-career youth development extension educators faced and managing strategies of those challenges. The expert panel of this Delphi study was selected from two south-eastern states in the U.S. based on their proven success and effectiveness in youth development extension programming in their respective counties. The three-round Delphi study led to building the consensus on 16 challenges faced by early-career youth development extension educators and 14 strategies helpful in managing those challenges. The findings of this study have implications for planning onboarding training programs for early-career youth development extension educators. Future research is needed to understand how identified strategies contribute to managing early-career challenges faced by youth development extension educators.

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How Might We Screen for Psychological Factors in People With Pelvic Pain? An e-Delphi Study

Physical Therapy ◽

10.1093/ptj/pzab015 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Angela Pontifex ◽

Caris Savin ◽

Caitlin Park ◽

Alina Filipe Nunes ◽

K Jane Chalmers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Pelvic Pain ◽

Delphi Method ◽

Delphi Study ◽

Psychological Factors ◽

Clinical Utility ◽

Delphi Process ◽

Future Research ◽

Exclusion Criteria ◽

Group Design

Abstract Objective Persistent pelvic pain is a complex condition often influenced by psychological factors that can alter treatment outcomes. These factors are potentially modifiable; however, currently there is no instrument to screen for them in these individuals. The purpose of this study was to determine (1) which psychological factors should be screened in individuals with persistent pelvic pain and (2) the most appropriate statements to represent these psychological factors. Methods The study used a focus group design followed by an electronic-Delphi (e-Delphi) process. A focus group consisting of 8 experts was conducted to determine the relevant psychological factors to screen. These results informed round 1 of the e-Delphi process, consisting of a panel of 14 pain/pelvic pain experts. The e-Delphi process consisted of 3 rounds of online surveys and 2 teleconference discussions to establish consensus on the most appropriate statement to screen for each of the psychological factors. Results The focus group identified 13 relevant psychological factors. During the e-Delphi process, relevant screening statements were assessed using a 100-point allocation system. Experts could reword and suggest new statements. Statements were assessed for consensus and stability and were eliminated as the rounds progressed if they met the exclusion criteria. At the termination of round 3, there were 15 statements remaining. Conclusions The final list of 15 statements will assist clinicians in screening for psychological factors and is an important step for clinicians in providing psychologically informed care to people with persistent pelvic pain. Future research should determine the psychometric properties of the statements to determine their clinical utility as a questionnaire. Impact This study has refined a list of statements to help screen for psychological factors in individuals with persistent pelvic pain. Developed robustly using an e-Delphi method, this list is an important first step forward for clinicians to provide psychologically informed care to these individuals.

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Expert Consensus on Clinical Application of Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Results From a Modified Delphi Study

Global Spine Journal ◽

10.1177/21925682211012688 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 219256822110126

Author(s):

Yong Hai ◽

Jingwei Liu ◽

Yuzeng Liu ◽

Tie Liu ◽

Xinuo Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Spine ◽

Delphi Method ◽

Delphi Study ◽

Interbody Fusion ◽

Expert Consensus ◽

Lumbar Spine Surgery ◽

Study Group ◽

Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Modified Delphi ◽

Chinese Study

Study Design: Modified Delphi study. Objective: The objective of this study was to establish expert consensus on the application of lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) by using the modified Delphi study. Methods: From June 2019 to March 2020, Members of the Chinese Study Group for Lateral Lumbar Spine Surgery were selected to collect expert feedback using the modified Delphi method where 65 spine surgeons from all over China agreed to participate. Four rounds were performed: 1 face-to-face meeting and 3 subsequent survey rounds. The consensus was achieved with ≥a 70.0% agreement for each question. The recommendation of grade A was defined as ≥90.0% of the agreement for each question. The recommendation of grade B was defined as 80.0-89.9% of the agreement for each question. The recommendation of grade C was defined as 70.0-79.9% of the agreement for each question. Results: A total of 65 experts formed a panelist group, and the number of questionnaires collected was 63, 59, and 62 in the 3 rounds. In total, 5 sections, 71 questions, and 382 items achieved consensus after the Delphi rounds including summary; preoperative evaluation; application at the lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar disc herniation, lumbar spondylolisthesis, adult degenerative scoliosis, postoperative adjacent segmental degeneration, and revision surgery; complications; and postoperative follow-up evaluation of LLIF. Conclusion: The modified Delphi method was utilized to ascertain an expert consensus from the Chinese Study Group for Lateral Lumbar Spine Surgery to inform clinical decision-making in the application of LLIF. The salient grade A recommendations of the survey are enumerated.

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Improving Risk Assessment for Transporting Dangerous Goods through European Road Tunnels: A Delphi Study

Systems ◽

10.3390/systems9040080 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 80

Author(s):

Marianna Kalogeraki ◽

Fani Antoniou

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Delphi Method ◽

Delphi Study ◽

Emergency Services ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Quantitative Risk Assessment ◽

Modified Delphi ◽

Dangerous Goods ◽

Road Tunnels ◽

Open Road

Managing the transportation of dangerous goods (DG) through road tunnels is of great importance since it is associated with a serious risk of accidents. The consequences of an accident involving DG, especially in the closed tunnel environment, might be more significant and even more catastrophic compared to the same accident occurring on an open road. This article presents the Greek experience regarding the application of quantitative risk assessment (QRA) methods for the transportation of DG through Greek road tunnels. The modified Delphi method, with the participation of nine experts, is employed to investigate the obstacles to successfully conforming with the mandatory European Union regulatory framework that applies to transport operations within the Trans-European road network. Recommendations are made to improve the applied QRA approach, to facilitate the cooperation between tunnel managers and emergency services, to communicate lessons learned and to enhance the training of risk assessors.

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Identifying and prioritising systematic review topics with public health stakeholders: A protocol for a modified Delphi study in Switzerland to inform future research agendas

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015500 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (8) ◽

pp. e015500 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Dyon Hoekstra ◽

Margot Mütsch ◽

Christina Kien ◽

Ansgar Gerhardus ◽

Stefan K Lhachimi

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Priority Setting ◽

Delphi Study ◽

Future Research ◽

Review Author ◽

Modified Delphi ◽

Delphi Round ◽

A Priority ◽

The University

IntroductionThe Cochrane Collaboration aims to produce relevant and top priority evidence that responds to existing evidence gaps. Hence, research priority setting (RPS) is important to identify which potential research gaps are deemed most important. Moreover, RPS supports future health research to conform both health and health evidence needs. However, studies that are prioritising systematic review topics in public health are surprisingly rare. Therefore, to inform the research agenda of Cochrane Public Health Europe (CPHE), we introduce the protocol of a priority setting study on systematic review topics in several European countries, which is conceptualised as pilot.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a two-round modified Delphi study in Switzerland, incorporating an anonymous web-based questionnaire, to assess which topics should be prioritised for systematic reviews in public health. In the first Delphi round public health stakeholders will suggest relevant assessment criteria and potential priority topics. In the second Delphi round the participants indicate their (dis)agreement to the aggregated results of the first round and rate the potential review topics with the predetermined criteria on a four-point Likert scale. As we invite a wide variety of stakeholders we will compare the results between the different stakeholder groups.Ethics and disseminationWe have received ethical approval from the ethical board of the University of Bremen, Germany (principal investigation is conducted at the University of Bremen) and a certificate of non-objection from the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland (fieldwork will be conducted in Switzerland). The results of this study will be further disseminated through peer reviewed publication and will support systematic review author groups (i.a. CPHE) to improve the relevance of the groups´ future review work. Finally, the proposed priority setting study can be used as a framework by other systematic review groups when conducting a priority setting study in a different context.

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Standardization of Syndrome Differentiation Defined by Traditional Chinese Medicine in Operative Breast Cancer: A Modified Delphi Study

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2015/820436 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Qianqian Guo ◽

Qianjun Chen

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Chinese Medicine ◽

Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽

Delphi Method ◽

Delphi Study ◽

Literature Search ◽

Syndrome Differentiation ◽

Response Ratio ◽

Modified Delphi ◽

E Mail

Objective. The aim of this study was to establish the standardization of syndrome differentiation of operative breast cancer treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) by the modified Delphi method.Method. A literature search for standardization of syndrome differentiation of operative breast cancer was conducted and eligible articles were identified in indexed databases from 1982 to 2013. We carried out two rounds of investigation between March and October 2013 and organized 20 experts who focused on TCM or integrative medicine in breast cancer research. Experts’ judgments were collectedviaposted questionnaires or e-mail. A final evaluation was carried out after the end of both rounds.Result. The response ratio of the 1st round investigation reached 100%, and two experts were excluded due to the uncompleted questionnaire. The 2nd round investigation was completed by 18 experts in the 1st round panel board. In both rounds, the experts agreed that the stage of breast cancer defined by TCM could be divided into the perioperation period, the perichemotherapy period, the periradiotherapy period, and the consolidation period.Conclusion. We identified the feasibility and reasonability to establish the standardization of syndrome differentiation of operative breast cancer. According to the suggestions from experts in our Delphi study, we preliminarily established the TCM standard of syndrome differentiation based on different treatment stages of operative breast cancer.

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Social Media and Business: A Delphi Study

Revista Ibero-Americana de Estratégia ◽

10.5585/ijsm.v12i1.1962 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 236-253

Author(s):

Bernardo Serra ◽

José Eduardo Storopoli ◽

Claudia Frias Pinto ◽

Fernando Ribeiro Serra

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Delphi Method ◽

Delphi Study ◽

Future Research ◽

Online Interactions ◽

Sales Channel ◽

Networking Tool

Firms, in order to achieve their consumer’s target, resort to communications tools and online interactions, such as social media. In this study, we propose to comprehend how firms will adopt and utilize social media in Brazil in 2015. In order to assess a scenario we employ the delphi method, in which twelve specialists were interviewed. Based on their responses, the results show that there is a rising trend, that is, firms tend to adopt and increasingly use social media as a networking tool, as publicity and as a sales channel. We conclude with suggestions for future research.

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Determining electrocardiography training priorities for medical students using a modified Delphi method

10.21203/rs.3.rs-68479/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Charle Andre Viljoen ◽

Rob Scott Millar ◽

Kathryn Manning ◽

Vanessa Celeste Burch

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Delphi Method ◽

Delphi Study ◽

Delphi Technique ◽

Expert Panel ◽

Expert Consensus ◽

Modified Delphi ◽

Wide Range ◽

Life Threatening ◽

Curriculum Specialists

Abstract BackgroundAlthough electrocardiography is considered a core learning outcome for medical students, there is currently little curricular guidance for undergraduate ECG training. Owing to the absence of expert consensus on undergraduate ECG teaching, curricular content is subject to individual opinion. The aim of this modified Delphi study was to establish expert consensus amongst content and context experts on an ECG curriculum for medical students.MethodsThe Delphi technique, an established method of obtaining consensus, was used to develop an undergraduate ECG curriculum. Specialists involved in ECG teaching were invited to complete three rounds of online surveys. An undergraduate ECG curriculum was formulated from the topics of ECG instruction for which consensus (i.e. ≥75% agreement) was achieved. ResultsThe panellists (n=131) had a wide range of expertise (42.8% Internal Medicine, 22.9% Cardiology, 16% Family Medicine, 13.7% Emergency Medicine and 4.6% Health Professions Education). Topics that reached consensus to be included in the undergraduate ECG curriculum were classified under technical aspects of performing ECGs, basic ECG analysis, recognition of the normal ECG and abnormal rhythms and waveforms and using electrocardiography as part of a clinical diagnosis. This study emphasises that ECG teaching should be framed within the clinical context. Course conveners should not overload students with complex and voluminous content, but rather focus on commonly encountered and life-threatening conditions, where accurate diagnosis impacts on patient outcome. A list of 23 “must know” ECG diagnoses is therefore proposed.ConclusionA multidisciplinary expert panel reached consensus on the ECG training priorities for medical students.

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Applying the Delphi method to determine best practices for outsourcing logistics in disaster relief

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management ◽

10.1108/jhlscm-06-2018-0044 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 438-474 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Timo Gossler ◽

Ioanna Falagara Sigala ◽

Tina Wakolbinger ◽

Renate Buber

Keyword(s):

Best Practices ◽

Delphi Method ◽

Delphi Study ◽

Service Providers ◽

Disaster Relief ◽

Humanitarian Logistics ◽

Future Research ◽

Content Type ◽

Logistics Service Providers ◽

Outsourcing Logistics

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine best practices of aid agencies for outsourcing logistics to commercial logistics service providers (LSPs) in disaster relief. Moreover, it evaluates the application of the Delphi method for research in humanitarian logistics. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a two-round Delphi study with 31 experts from aid agencies and a complementary full-day focus group with 12 experts from aid agencies and LSPs. Findings The study revealed 12 best practices for outsourcing logistics in disaster relief and a compilation of more than 100 activities for putting these practices into action. Experts consider a proper balance between efficiency and compliance, a detailed contract and a detailed service request most important. Additionally, the Delphi method was found to be a promising technique for research on humanitarian logistics. Research limitations/implications By critically examining the Delphi method, this study establishes the basis for a wider application of the technique in the field of humanitarian logistics. Furthermore, it can help to prioritize future research as the ranking of practices reflects the priorities of practitioners. Practical implications The paper provides guidance to practitioners at aid agencies in charge of outsourcing logistics. Originality/value This research is one of the first in the field of humanitarian logistics to apply the Delphi method. Moreover, it addresses the lack of literature dealing with approaches for building successful cross-sectoral partnerships.

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Using the Delphi Method for Selecting Effective Rehabilitation Practices for Case Study Research: Methods, Challenges, and Solutions and Implications forFuture Research

Rehabilitation Research Policy and Education ◽

10.1891/2168-6653.29.4.391 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 391-405 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Allison R. Fleming ◽

Heike Boeltzig-Brown ◽

Susan M. Foley

Keyword(s):

Delphi Method ◽

Case Study Research ◽

Future Research ◽

Significant Disabilities ◽

Study Research ◽

Modified Delphi ◽

Qualitative Feedback ◽

Study Selection ◽

Rehabilitation Agency

Purpose: We describe a modified Delphi method used to select effective state vocational rehabilitation agency practices to prioritize rehabilitation services for individuals with most significant disabilities within the context of Order of Selection, an area where there is little known and published. Specifically, we describe how we applied the Delphi method to case study selection, the methods challenges we faced, and how we addressed those issues. Implications for future research are also discussed.Method: We used a structured nomination process to identify potential practices. An expe.rt panel (N = 12) provided input on the development of indicators of effective rehabilitation practices and rated the nominated practices.Results: Selection of the practices for case study research was based on the ratings from the expert panel, including quantitative and qualitative feedback. Of the 10 practices considered by the panel, the 7 practices with the highest ratings were included in the sample.Conclusions: Using the collective expertise of panelists through a modified Delphi process to select the final case study sample was effective for this research. The panel provided an objective, group-level perspective on the merit of the practices as well as the fit with the goals of the case study.

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