A Mixed-Method Modified Delphi Study toward Identifying Key Elements of Psychotherapy in Iran

Abstract

Purpose: In Iran, psychotherapy is regarded as an effective treatment for psychiatric disorders. However, no previous research has identified the key elements of psychotherapy that may be specific to Iranian society. The current study was conducted in an attempt to identify these elements. Methods: A mixed-method modified Delphi approach was used, taking place over several stages during 2017-2018. The first stage involved interviewing 12 experts in psychotherapy to identify key elements of psychotherapy in Iran by thematic analysis. Then, successive Delphi rounds were conducted to obtain consensus (75% agreement) from 70 psychotherapy experts on these key elements. Results: Key elements of psychotherapy were grouped into the following themes: (1) systematic education/training; (2) psychotherapist competency; (3) psychotherapy reflective of Iranian societal needs; and (4) the substrate (scientific/ethical principles) of psychotherapy. Consensus was reached during two Delphi rounds. In Delphi round 1, 52.8% of the statements reached consensus, and all remaining statements reached consensus in round 2. Conclusions: The key elements of psychotherapy in Iran are a set of conditions for the education and training of competent psychotherapists who can perform psychiatric interventions appropriate to Iranian society under supervised rules. These should serve as a framework for improving the current delivery of psychotherapy in Iran.

Requirements for Brazilian Outpatient Centers of Excellence in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Consensus Co-Creative Study

“…This is a co-creation study 28 , 29 with HS specialists and a Mixed-Method Modified Delphi approach 30 to develop the criteria and requirements for creating centers of excellence in HS in Brazil. We followed a linear process with mixed methods in 6 stages summarized in Figure 1 and detailed in the next subsections.…”

“…The approach follows the iterative voting process inspired by the Mixed-Method Modified Delphi method. 30 Each requirement was written alongside an indication of its preliminary ranking between “must have” or “nice to have”. To respond, there was a field in which each ME selected whether they agreed or disagreed and another optional field for justifications and free comments.…”

An Exploratory Study on Sleep Procrastination: Bedtime vs. While-in-Bed Procrastination

“…To develop the questionnaires used in this study, a modified Delphi survey technique was used [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ]. This method consists of an iterative approach that develops over several rounds, in a flexible and stirring way.…”

Modified e-Delphi Process for the Selection of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Children and Families With Type 1 Diabetes Using Continuous Glucose Monitors: Delphi Study

“…Here we describe out process to (1) identify PROMs that could be used to assess the impact of CGMs on pediatric patients with T1D, (2) implement a modified electronic Delphi (e-Delphi) methodology to arrive at an expert consensus on which PROMs are most suitable for clinical and research applications, and (3) establish a periodicity table for the administration of PROMs over time in our real-world evidence study. The Delphi technique, developed in the 1950s, is a structured process that leverages the judgment of experts through a series of rounds that integrate controlled feedback to develop consensus on a specific topic [20][21][22]. The overarching goal of this Delphi process is the creation of a battery of PROMs to facilitate patient-provider interaction and individualized patient-centered care, which can reflect measurable changes in population health over time.…”