scholarly journals A Consensus Definition of Misophonia: Using a Delphi Process to Reach Expert Agreement

Author(s):  
Susan Swedo ◽  
David M. Baguley ◽  
Damiaan Denys ◽  
Laura J. Dixon ◽  
Mercede Erfanian ◽  
...  

AbstractMisophonia is a disorder of decreased tolerance to specific sounds or their associated stimuli that has been characterized using different language and methodologies. The absence of a common understanding or foundational definition of misophonia hinders progress in research to understand the disorder and develop effective treatments for individuals suffering from misophonia. From June 2020 through January 2021, a project was conducted to determine whether a committee of experts with diverse expertise related to misophonia could develop a consensus definition of misophonia. An expert committee used a modified Delphi method to evaluate candidate definitional statements that were identified through a systematic review of the published literature. Over four rounds of iterative voting, revision, and exclusion, the committee made decisions to include, exclude, or revise these statements in the definition based on the currently available scientific and clinical evidence. A definitional statement was included in the final definition only after reaching consensus at 80% or more of the committee agreeing with its premise and phrasing. The results of this rigorous consensus-building process were compiled into a final definition of misophonia that is presented here. This definition will serve as an important step to bring cohesion to the growing field of researchers and clinicians who seek to better understand and support individuals experiencing misophonia.

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Kerry K Fierke ◽  
Laura C Palombi

A multidisciplinary department at a College of Pharmacy utilized a multi-step consensus-building process to create a shared departmental definition of community engagement that was consistent with the department’s mission and vision. Throughout the consensus building and engaged department process, faculty and staff were given opportunities to participate in community-engaged work and departmental activities, including updates in regular scheduled department meetings. This allowed faculty to have a reference and common understanding of the concept of community engagement when striving towards outlined promotion objectives. A shared understanding of what constitutes community engagement was necessary to ensure that all members of the interdisciplinary department are working toward a common goal and shared vision.   Article Type: Original Research


Author(s):  
M. Angela O’Neal

This chapter explores how epilepsy can affect reproductive function. The National Institute of Health consensus definition of PCOS includes the presence of menstrual dysfunction, clinical evidence of hyperandrogenism, and exclusion of other endocrinopathies, such as Cushing’s syndrome and hypothyroidism. The etiology of PCOS is felt to be heterogenous, related to a complex interaction between both genetic and environmental factors. PCOS develops when the ovaries are stimulated to produce excessive testosterone. The diagnosis and pathogenesis of polycystic ovarian syndrome is explored; in particular, how valproate contributes to the condition in women with epilepsy. Valproate is the AED most associated with PCOS, as it can directly increase ovarian testosterone production. It can also cause weight gain leading to insulin resistance, another mechanism contributing to PCOS.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e035561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Cukier ◽  
Manoj Lalu ◽  
Gregory L Bryson ◽  
Kelly D Cobey ◽  
Agnes Grudniewicz ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo conduct a Delphi survey informing a consensus definition of predatory journals and publishers.DesignThis is a modified three-round Delphi survey delivered online for the first two rounds and in-person for the third round. Questions encompassed three themes: (1) predatory journal definition; (2) educational outreach and policy initiatives on predatory publishing; and (3) developing technological solutions to stop submissions to predatory journals and other low-quality journals.ParticipantsThrough snowball and purposive sampling of targeted experts, we identified 45 noted experts in predatory journals and journalology. The international group included funders, academics and representatives of academic institutions, librarians and information scientists, policy makers, journal editors, publishers, researchers involved in studying predatory journals and legitimate journals, and patient partners. In addition, 198 authors of articles discussing predatory journals were invited to participate in round 1.ResultsA total of 115 individuals (107 in round 1 and 45 in rounds 2 and 3) completed the survey on predatory journals and publishers. We reached consensus on 18 items out of a total of 33 to be included in a consensus definition of predatory journals and publishers. We came to consensus on educational outreach and policy initiatives on which to focus, including the development of a single checklist to detect predatory journals and publishers, and public funding to support research in this general area. We identified technological solutions to address the problem: a ‘one-stop-shop’ website to consolidate information on the topic and a ‘predatory journal research observatory’ to identify ongoing research and analysis about predatory journals/publishers.ConclusionsIn bringing together an international group of diverse stakeholders, we were able to use a modified Delphi process to inform the development of a definition of predatory journals and publishers. This definition will help institutions, funders and other stakeholders generate practical guidance on avoiding predatory journals and publishers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 161 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debara L. Tucci ◽  
Edward D. McCoul ◽  
Richard M. Rosenfeld ◽  
David E. Tunkel ◽  
Pete S. Batra ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo develop a clinical consensus statement on the use of balloon dilation of the eustachian tube (BDET).MethodsAn expert panel of otolaryngologists was assembled with nominated representatives of general otolaryngology and relevant subspecialty societies. The target population was adults 18 years or older who are candidates for BDET because of obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction (OETD) in 1 or both ears for 3 months or longer that significantly affects quality of life or functional health status. A modified Delphi method was used to distill expert opinion into clinical statements that met a standardized definition of consensus.ResultsAfter 3 iterative Delphi method surveys, 28 statements met the predefined criteria for consensus, while 28 statements did not. The clinical statements were grouped into 3 categories for the purposes of presentation and discussion: (1) patient criteria, (2) perioperative considerations, and (3) outcomes.ConclusionThis panel reached consensus on several statements that clarify diagnosis and perioperative management of OETD. Lack of consensus on other statements likely reflects knowledge gaps regarding the role of BDET in managing OETD. Expert panel consensus may provide helpful information for the otolaryngologist considering the use of BDET for the management of patients with OETD.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e023595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayo Ueda ◽  
Misato Kaso ◽  
Shosuke Ohtera ◽  
Takeo Nakayama

ObjectivesQuality indicators are measurable elements widely used to assess the quality of care. They are often developed from the results of systematic reviews or clinical practice guidelines. These sources are regularly updated in line with new clinical evidence, but there are few articles on updating quality indicators based on clinical practice guidelines. This study aimed to update the quality indicators developed for low-risk labour care in Japan in 2012, mainly drawing on new or updated clinical practice guidelines, and making the process clearly visible and assessable.Design and settingWe used a modified Delphi method for the update. The procedure included four steps: (1) updating the definition of low-risk labour; (2) reviewing the literature published between June 2012 and December 2015 using five guidelines and two quality indicator databases to extract potential candidate indicators; (3) formation of a multidisciplinary panel including mothers and (4) panel ratings (two rounds between February and April 2016) on the validity of the candidate indicators, and judging the validity of the previous quality indicators drawing on the new evidence.ParticipantsA multidisciplinary panel of 13 clinicians, including obstetricians, paediatricians and midwives, plus 3 non-clinician mothers.ResultsThe literature review identified 276 new recommendations from 27 clinical practice guidelines including 2 published in Japan and 21 quality indicators. We developed 13 new candidate indicators from these sources and panel recommendations, 12 of which were approved by the multidisciplinary panel. The panel also accepted all 23 existing quality indicators as still valid, resulting in a total of 35 quality indicators for low-risk labour.ConclusionsWe successfully updated the quality indicators for low-risk labour care in Japan. The procedure developed may be useful for updating other quality indicators based on new clinical practice guidelines.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 00147-2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane S. Lucas ◽  
Florian Gahleitner ◽  
Adelina Amorim ◽  
Mieke Boon ◽  
Philippa Brown ◽  
...  

Pulmonary exacerbations are a cause of significant morbidity in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and are frequently used as an outcome measure in clinical research into chronic lung diseases. So far, there has been no consensus on the definition of pulmonary exacerbations in PCD.30 multidisciplinary experts and patients developed a consensus definition for children and adults with PCD. Following a systematic review, the panel used a modified Delphi process with a combination of face-to-face meetings and e-surveys to develop a definition that can be used in research settings for children and adults with PCD.A pulmonary exacerbation was defined by the presence of three or more of the following seven items: 1) increased cough, 2) change in sputum volume and/or colour, 3) increased shortness of breath perceived by the patient or parent, 4) decision to start or change antibiotic treatment because of perceived pulmonary symptoms, 5) malaise, tiredness, fatigue or lethargy, 6) new or increased haemoptysis, and 7) temperature >38°C.The consensus panel proposed that the definition should be used for future clinical trials. The definition should be validated and the usability assessed during these studies.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Cukier ◽  
Manoj M. Lalu ◽  
Gregory L. Bryson ◽  
Kelly D. Cobey ◽  
Agnes Grudniewicz ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBackgroundPosing as legitimate open access outlets, predatory journals and publishers threaten the integrity of academic publishing by not following publication best practices. Currently, there is no agreed upon definition of predatory journals, making it difficult for funders and academic institutions to generate practical guidance or policy to ensure their members do not publish in these channels.MethodsWe conducted a modified three-round Delphi survey of an international group of academics, funders, policy makers, journal editors, publishers and others, to generate a consensus definition of predatory journals and suggested ways the research community should respond to the problem.ResultsA total of 45 participants completed the survey on predatory journals and publishers. We reached consensus on 18 items out of a total of 33, to be included in a consensus definition of predatory journals and publishers. We came to consensus on educational outreach and policy initiatives on which to focus, including the development of a single checklist to detect predatory journals and publishers, and public funding to support research in this general area. We identified technological solutions to address the problem: a ‘one-stop-shop’ website to consolidate information on the topic and a ‘predatory journal research observatory’ to identify ongoing research and analysis about predatory journals/publishers.ConclusionsIn bringing together an international group of diverse stakeholders, we were able to use a modified Delphi process to inform the development of a definition of predatory journals and publishers. This definition will help institutions, funders and other stakeholders generate practical guidance on avoiding predatory journals and publishers.


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