What Is a Delphi Panel?
A Delphi panel is a group of experts who provide opinions on a particular topic through a series of surveys administered in rounds. The expert group is a Delphi panel, while the methodology used to survey these experts is the Delphi method. The Delphi method utilizes a specific set of scientific methodologies to achieve expert consensus through a structured process used to collect knowledge by identifying a problem that needs resolution, gathering opinions from experts, performing controlled assessments, and reaching partial or complete consensus. In market access, expert groups may consist of physicians, pharmacists, payer representatives, and/or policymakers.
The Delphi Method
The Delphi methodology is guided by 3 principles:
- Anonymity (to mitigate undue influence by more experienced panelists)
- Iteration and controlled feedback (to allow panelists to review anonymously the results of the survey to be made aware of their colleagues’ opinions)
- Aggregation of group responses (in the form of draft consensus statements that will be voted on using different consensus-building techniques)
Delphi Expert Panel Size and Preparations
In preparation for initial data gathering, a Delphi expert panel of 4 to 20 relevant experts is convened to provide opinions and professional knowledge regarding an identified problem or question. Simultaneously, through desktop research or a literature review, an initial survey questionnaire is developed with both open- and close-ended questions to gather information from panelists. Survey preread materials (ie, seminal papers/prior research) which provide information on the identified problem/question may be sent to panelists to level set and establish background for the study.
Delphi Panel Process
Initial surveys are sent to the panel for feedback and, upon completion, responses are aggregated and summarized. Areas of agreement and disagreement within the panel are highlighted and a second questionnaire is created to further clarify the areas of disagreement from the initial survey. After the second survey is administered, the process is repeated until consensus is achieved.
After each survey round, the experts are provided with the opportunity to review their insights and opinions in relation to their colleagues’ responses, which they can later change in the succeeding step. Findings are then shared during the consensus-building exercise when experts derive defensible statements of consensus.
Results of Delphi panels can be reported as summary documents or memorandums, and as peer-reviewed manuscripts in which participants could provide their permission for “unblinding” and be invited to participate as coauthors. Abstracts or conference presentations are also useful to disseminate findings, or findings can be shown through the creation of infographics for use in clinical settings.
How Are Delphi Panels Used in Healthcare?
In healthcare and health sciences contexts, Delphi panels have several potential uses, including:
- Development of guidelines for diagnosis, treatment, monitoring progression, ensuring proper use of a product, etc
- Pressure testing inputs and assumptions for economic models
- Support submissions to regulatory agencies and health technology assessment (HTA) bodies
- Building consensus from disparate real-world data (RWD)
- Identify gaps in knowledge and guiding future research
Enhance Decision-Making With Expert-Driven Delphi Panels
Delphi panels provide a structured, expert-driven approach to gathering insights and achieving consensus on complex healthcare topics. Whether you’re refining clinical guidelines, shaping market access strategies, or forecasting future trends, leveraging the power of expert opinions can be a game-changer for your organization.
Contact us today to discover how our team can help you design and implement Delphi panels that deliver actionable insights and drive better decisions for your products and strategies.
Magnolia Market Access Authors: Martine Etschmaier, Anna Hundt Golden
