The Delphi Method: An Approach for Facilitating Evidence Based Practice in Athletic Training

Abstract

Objective: The growing importance of evidence based practice in athletic training is necessitating academics and clinicians to be able to make judgments about the quality or lack of the body of research evidence and peer-reviewed standards pertaining to clinical questions. To assist in the judgment process, consensus methods, namely brainstorming, nominal group technique and the Delphi method can be used. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature related to the Delphi Method and its potential implications for evidence-based practice and peer-reviewed standards in athletic training. Data Sources: We searched PubMed and MEDLINE (1978–2007), CINAHL (1993–2006), Dissertation Abstracts (1979–2006) and Google Scholar (1983–2007) using the terms “Delphi method,” “modified Delphi technique,” “consensus methods,” “Delphi technique,” and combined search terms of “Delphi method AND allied health, AND medicine AND dentistry, AND nursing. Data Synthesis: Textual support for the use of the Delphi Method in athletic training and a brief review of the literature pertaining to the: objectives; advantages; limitations commonly associated with the use of the Delphi Method; and research protocol. Conclusions/Recommendations: The Delphi Method in athletic training has been used to fulfill two objectives; the need for evidence based practice and the need to establish policies and procedures when none are in existence or it is difficult for one individual to make a decision. The Delphi Method and other consensus development methods should not be viewed as a scientific method for creating new knowledge, but rather as processes for making the best use of available information, be that scientific data or the collective wisdom of participants.