Expert consensus in times of COVID-19: Health applications of the Delphi method

Abstract

The COVID-19 epidemic has led to changes in the culture of communication. The solution to health problems is assertive when it is consensual. The Delphi method, a tool for agreement, uses rounds of question lists to gather information from the knowledge of a panel of experts who discuss approaches and possible solutions to problems. It is based on the premise that, with the freedom of anonymity, combined intelligence improves individual judgment and captures collective expert opinion. The process of the method is very flexible since the rounds of questions can be carried out in person or remotely. In this article, we describe how to implement the conventional Delphi method in times of confinement, analyze the usefulness and limitations of the method for use by health experts to solve treatment, diagnostic or administrative problems. Current technologies for collecting data allow great flexibility in the format of questionnaires and facilitate the collection of expert opinion. Thanks to its adaptability, the Delphi method is becoming a popular strategy that involves both qualitative and quantitative domains.