Delphi method

Engineering

Neuroscience

Operating system

Computer science

Management science

Business

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Operations research

Advertising

Psychology

Infectious disease (medical specialty)

Artificial intelligence

Delphi

Medicine

Panel discussion

Medical education

Pandemic

Disease

Adaptation (eye)

Pathology

Journal of Healthcare Leadership

The RAND/UCLA modified Delphi panel method is a formal group consensus process that systematically and quantitatively combines expert opinion and evidence by asking panelists to rate, discuss, then re-rate items.The method has been used to develop medical society guidelines, other clinical practice guidelines, disease classification systems, research agendas, and quality improvement interventions.Traditionally, a group of experts meet in person to discuss results of a first-round survey.After the meeting, experts complete a second-round survey used to develop areas of consensus.During the COVID-19 pandemic, this aspect of the method was not possible.As such, we have adapted the method to conduct virtual RAND/UCLA modified Delphi panels.In this study, we present a targeted literature review to describe and summarize the existing evidence on the RAND/UCLA modified Delphi panel method and outline our adaptation for conducting these panels virtually.Transitioning from in-person to virtual meetings was not without challenges, but there have also been unexpected advantages.The method we describe here can be a cost-effective and efficient alternative for researchers and clinicians.

An Adaptation of the RAND/UCLA Modified Delphi Panel Method in the Time of COVID-19