Php3 Application of the Delphi Technique in the Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Use in Methadone Maintenance Programs

A Delphi study investigating consensus among expert physiotherapists in relation to the management of low back pain

“…A three-round Delphi questionnaire study was carried out to investigate if consensus regarding the physiotherapy management of LBP could be reached (Hassan and Keeney et al, 2001;McIlfatrick and Keeney, 2003). A review of the literature in relation to Delphi studies indicated that three parameters have been commonly employed, either individually or in combination, to indicate when a consensus has been reached -that is, percentage of agreement, mean and/or standard deviation Herdman et al, 2004;Turner and Weiner, 2002). Although a lack of standardization has caused some authors to question the levels of consensus noted (McIlfatrick and Keeney, 2003), it was decided for this particular study to use two of the most commonly reported parameters -that is, percentage agreement in excess of 60% and a mean of less than or equal to three, as indicators of consensus.…”