Using the Delphi expert consensus method in mental health research

Abstract

Objective: The article gives an introductory overview of the use of the Delphi expert consensus method in mental health research. It explains the rationale for using the method, examines the range of uses to which it has been put in mental health research, and describes the stages of carrying out a Delphi study using examples from the literature. Method: To ascertain the range of uses, a systematic search was carried out in PubMed. The article also examines the implications of 'wisdom of crowds' research for how to conduct Delphi studies. Results: The Delphi method is a systematic way of determining expert consensus that is useful for answering questions that are not amenable to experimental..