Integrating Delphi Consensus Consultation and Community- Based Participatory Research

Melinda J Suto,Steven J Barnes,Anusha Balram,Lesley Berk,Erin E Michalak,Jehannine Austin,Mike Scott,Sharon Hou,Dragos C Ragazan,Sara Lapsley

doi:10.15402/esj.v5i1.67847

Abstract

Delphi consensus consultation methods and community-based participatory research (CBPR) are distinct approaches that have traditionally been employed separately. This paper explores the integration of Delphi methods with CBPR in a research project that sought to identify effective self-management strategies for bipolar disorder (BD). We introduce our Canadian-based network which specializes in CBPR in BD, and outline the key principles of CBPR approaches. Delphi consensus consultation methods are described and we present the five phases of our Delphi consensus consultation project, conducted within a CBPR framework. Examples of how each project phase incorporated the principles of CBPR are provided, as are personal reflections of community members involved in the project, and broader reflections on challenges commonly encountered in CBPR projects.

Highlights

Introduction to CRESTbipolar disorder (BD) The Collaborative RESearch Team to study psychosocial issues in Bipolar Disorder
We describe a project which synergistically combined two traditionally distinct research approaches—communitybased participatory research (CBPR) and Delphi consensus consultation—in order to build knowledge on effective self-management strategies for BD
The values articulated in CREST.BD’s strategic vision are relevant to community-based participatory research (CBPR) and include: wellness and resilience, which is evident in our strengths-oriented approach; equity, which directs us to conduct research to address the social injustices seen from the often inequitable access to healthcare services by marginalized groups; and diversity, which manifests as our search for different opinions, and respect for various types of expertise (Michalak et al, 2016a)

Summary

Introduction

Introduction to CRESTBD The Collaborative RESearch Team to study psychosocial issues in Bipolar Disorder Defining CBPR CBPR first arose from the movements led by educator-activist Paulo Freire that sought to emancipate and empower illiterate and marginalized Brazilian communities (Freire, 1972) It is an action-oriented research approach underpinned by critical social theories, which question the taken-for-granted assumptions about what is truly normal and what is instead socially constructed. Beginning in the late 1990s, North American health researchers further advanced the concept of CBPR by outlining eight key principles to guide the broader research community in using CBPR as an agent of social action and change (Israel, Schulz, Parker, & Becker, 1998; Minkler & Wallerstein, 2003) These principles, as first presented by Israel et al (1998), are listed below and four are highlighted for their particular relevance to the study described in this paper: 1.

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