Consensus Process Research Articles

SQUIRE-SIM (Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence for SIMulation): Publication Guidelines for Simulation-Based Quality Improvement Projects.

With increased incorporation of simulation-based methodologies into quality improvement activities, standards for reporting on simulation-specific elements in healthcare improvement research are needed. We followed established consensus process methodology to iteratively create simulation-based extensions for SQUIRE 2.0 reporting guidelines. Initial steps involved forming a steering committee, defining the scope, and conducting premeeting activities with an expert panel of simulation and quality improvement researchers. Recommendations from the expert panel were brought to a consensus meeting where existing guidelines were reviewed and recommendations made. Steering Committee members reviewed all recommendations, reconciled differences, and made final recommendations, which were piloted by experienced simulation and quality improvement researchers. Fifteen Steering Committee members, 59 experts in simulation and quality improvement research, and 86 consensus meeting attendees reviewed SQUIRE 2.0 reporting guidelines and ultimately recommended simulation-based reporting guidelines for 22 of the 41 (54%) SQUIRE 2.0 guidelines. Those items for which simulation-based extensions were identified were: Notes to Authors, 1 (Title), 2a (Abstract), 2b (Abstract), 4 (Introduction: Available knowledge), 5 (Introduction: Rationale), 7 and 8a & b (Methods: Context and intervention), 9a (Methods - Study of the intervention), 9b (Methods - Study of the intervention), 10a (Methods - Measures), 10b (Methods-Measures), 10c (Methods-Measures), 11b (Methods- Analysis), 12 (Methods - Ethical considerations), 13a (Results), 13e (Results), 14b (Discussion - Summary), 15a-e (Discussion - Interpretation), 16a (Discussion - Limitations), 16b (Discussion - Limitations), 17c (Discussion - Conclusions), and 17d (Discussion - Conclusions). We created simulation-based extensions to SQUIRE 2.0 reporting guidelines to improve the quality and standardization of reporting on simulation-specific elements of healthcare improvement research.

Management of overactive bladder: consensus statements from the Hong Kong Urological Association and the Hong Kong Geriatrics Society.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common urological disease with a high prevalence in older adult populations. Antimuscarinic drugs have been the most common treatment for OAB for more than a decade, but their anticholinergic side-effects and potential impact on cognitive function among older patients are usually underestimated. This consensus aimed to provide practical recommendations concerning OAB management, with a particular emphasis on older patients. A joint consensus panel was formed by representatives of the Hong Kong Urological Association and the Hong Kong Geriatrics Society. Literature searches regarding OAB and its management were performed in PubMed and Ovid. Several working meetings were held to present and discuss available evidence, develop consensus statements, and vote for the statements. A modified Delphi method was used in this consensus process. To address questions regarding various aspects of OAB, 29 consensus statements were proposed covering the following areas: diagnosis, initial assessment, non-pharmacological treatments, considerations before administration of pharmacological treatments, various pharmacological treatments, combination therapy, and surgical treatment. Twenty-five consensus statements were accepted.

Enhancing the quality of medicine handover at hospital discharge: a priority setting workshop.

When a patient is discharged from hospital it is essential that their general practitioner (GPs) and community pharmacist are informed of changes to their medicines. This necessitates effective communication and information-sharing between hospitals and primary care clinicians. To identify priority medicine handover issues and solutions to inform the co-design and development of a multifaceted intervention. A modified nominal group technique was used to reach consensus on medicine handover priority areas. The first hour of an interactive 2-hr workshop focused on ranking pre-identified issues drawn from literature. In the second hour, participants identified solutions that they then ranked from highest to lowest priority through an online platform. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse workshop data. In total 32 participants attended the workshop including hospital doctors (n = 8, 25.0%), GPs and hospital pharmacists (n = 6 each, 18.8%), consumers and community pharmacists (n = 4 each, 12.5%), and both hospital and aged care facility nurses (n = 2 each 6.3%). From the list of 23 issues, the highest ranked issue was high workload and time pressures impacting the discharge process (22/32). From the list of 36 solutions, the participants identified two solutions that were equally ranked highest (12/27 each). They were mandating that patients leave hospital with a discharge summary, including medication reconciliation information and, developing an integrated information technology system where medication summary and notes are accessible for primary, secondary and tertiary health provider. The consensus process highlighted challenges in hospital procedures where potential solutions may be implemented through co-design of a multifaceted intervention to improve medicine handover quality.

A standard set of outcome measures for the comprehensive assessment of oral health and occlusion in individuals with osteogenesis imperfecta

BackgroundOsteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders of varying severity characterized by bone fragility. The primary objective of this international multidisciplinary collaboration initiative was to reach a consensus for a standardized set of clinician and patient-reported outcome measures, as well as associated measuring instruments for dental care of individuals with OI, based on the aspects considered important by both experts and patients. This project is a subsequent to the Key4OI project initiated by the Care4BrittleBones foundation which aims to develop a standard set of outcome measures covering a large domain of factors affecting quality of life for people with OI. An international team of experts comprising orthodontists, pediatric dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and prosthetic dentists used a modified Delphi consensus process to select clinician-reported outcome measures (CROMs) and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to evaluate oral health in individuals with OI. Important domains were identified through a literature review and by professional expertise (both CROMs and PROMs). In three focus groups of individuals with OI, important and relevant issues regarding dental health were identified. The input from the focus groups was used as the basis for the final set of outcome measures: the selected issues were attributed to relevant CROMs and, when appropriate, matched with validated questionnaires to establish the final PROMs which represented best the specific oral health-related concerns of individuals with OI.ResultsConsensus was reached on selected CROMs and PROMs for a standard set of outcome measures and measuring instruments of oral health in individuals with OI.ConclusionsOur project resulted in consensus statements for standardization oral health PROMs and CROMs in individuals with OI. This outcome set can improve the standard of care by incorporating recommendations of professionals involved in dental care of individuals with OI. Further, it can facilitate research and international research co-operation. In addition, the significant contribution of the focus groups highlights the relevance of dental and oral health-related problems of individuals with OI.

Lung cancer (internet-based) Delphi (LUCiD): A modified eDelphi consensus process to establish Australasian clinical quality indicators for thoracic cancer.

Approximately 16,000 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed each year in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, and it is the leading cause of cancer death in the region. Unwarranted variation in lung cancer care and outcomes has been described for many years, although clinical quality indicators to facilitate benchmarking across Australasia have not been established. The purpose of this study was to establish clinical quality indicators applicable to lung and other thoracic cancers across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Following a literature review, a modified three round eDelphi consensus process was completed between October 2022 and June 2023. Participants included clinicians from all relevant disciplines, patient advocates, researchers and other stakeholders, with representatives from all Australian states and territories and Aotearoa New Zealand. Consensus was set at a threshold of 70%, with the first two rounds conducted as online surveys, and the final round held as a hybrid in person and virtual consensus meeting. The literature review identified 422 international thoracic oncology indicators, and a total of 71 indicators were evaluated over the course of the Delphi consensus. Ultimately, 27 clinical quality indicators reached consensus, covering the continuum of thoracic oncologic care from diagnosis to first line treatment. Indicators benchmarking supportive care were poorly represented. Attendant numeric quality standards were developed to facilitate benchmarking. Twenty-seven clinical quality indicators relevant to thoracic oncology care in Australasia were developed. Real world implementation will now be explored utilizing a prospective dataset collected across Australia.

Development of the 2023 ACR/EULAR Antiphospholipid Syndrome Classification Criteria, Phase III-D Report: Multicriteria Decision Analysis.

The 2023 American College of Rheumatology/EULAR antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) classification criteria development, which aimed to identify patients with high likelihood of APS for research, employed a four-phase methodology. Phase I and II resulted in 27 proposed candidate criteria, which are organized into laboratory and clinical domains. Here, we summarize the last stage of phase III efforts, employing a consensus-based multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) to weigh candidate criteria and identify an APS classification threshold score. We evaluated 192 unique, international real-world patients referred for "suspected APS" with a wide range of APS manifestations. Using proposed candidate criteria, subcommittee members rank ordered 20 representative patients from highly unlikely to highly likely to have APS. During an in-person meeting, the subcommittee refined definitions and participated in an MCDA exercise to identify relative weights of candidate criteria. Using consensus decisions and pairwise criteria comparisons, 1000Minds software assigned criteria weights, and we rank ordered 192 patients by their additive scores. A consensus-based threshold score for APS classification was set. Premeeting evaluation of 20 representative patients demonstrated variability in APS assessment. MCDA resolved 81 pairwise decisions; relative weights identified domain item hierarchy. After assessing 192 patients by weights and additive scores, the Steering Committee reached consensus that APS classification should require separate clinical and laboratory scores, rather than a single-aggregate score, to ensure high specificity. Using MCDA, candidate criteria preliminary weights were determined. Unlike other disease classification systems using a single-aggregate threshold score, separate clinical and laboratory domain thresholds were incorporated into the new APS classification criteria.

Development of a Global Physical Literacy (GloPL) Action Framework: Study protocol for a consensus process.

The holistic concept of physical literacy (PL) has gained growing attention in recent research, policy, and practice. Many important policy documents of the physical activity and educational fields (e.g., Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030 by the World Health Organization, UNESCO's Quality Physical Education guidelines for policymakers) have specified PL. However, a clear framework for action is needed, as most initiatives across the world are fragmented, lack a prospective orientation, can benefit from conceptual clarification, and are not linked to effective translation into practice. Therefore, we aim to consensually develop a Global Physical Literacy (GloPL) Action Framework to define goals and principles (asking what is needed) as well as actions and ways (asking how these can be achieved) to move PL forward. We apply a three-stage group Delphi technique involving three representation groups: (a) geographical representatives to achieve global coverage of perspectives; (b) representatives of special thematic interest reflecting prominent gaps of current PL activities; and (c) representatives of societies from the broad field of physical activity and health to facilitate dissemination. The process will begin with an individual pre-Delphi exercise, in which experts generate initial ideas for the framework, followed by a four-eye document analysis to derive themes for the discussion. Subsequently, the experts will meet face-to-face in three online rounds to discuss and prioritize the themes. Interspersed formal voting with pre-defined agreement thresholds (via descriptive statistics) will inform the inclusion of themes within the final framework. A global consensus on goals, principles, actions, and ways for the development of PL has the potential to provide a largely accepted roadmap for future activities in research, policy, and practice. The co-production approach will help disseminate the GloPL Action Framework and benefit work in relevant application fields of physical activity and health worldwide.

Shockwave Intravascular Lithotripsy Use in the Femoro-Popliteal Segment: Considerations From an Expert Pan-European Panel Regarding Best-Care Practice.

Produce expert recommendations regarding the optimal use of Shockwave intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) when treating femoro-popliteal steno-occlusive peripheral artery disease (PAD), guiding operators to use Shockwave IVL. A modified 3-step Delphi process was used to gain consensus surrounding preoperative/intraoperative/postoperative considerations when using Shockwave IVL for femoro-popliteal PAD. This included a structured survey, focus-group (with qualitative thematic analysis of views expressed), and final confirmatory round; participants were recruited across Europe including the United Kingdom/Switzerland. Following a review to inform an online survey, 25 experts took part in a survey (5 European countries, 2023), followed by a focus-group (15 participants), 9 interviews, and final confirmatory round. A list of recommendations was prepared where at least moderate-level or high-level agreement was reached (≥70% participants agreeing). The recommendations relate to the optimal preoperative imaging, preoperative preparation(s), intraoperative imaging and use of adjuncts, as well as postoperative course, when using Shockwave IVL. A list of expert recommendations is provided guiding the optimal use of Shockwave IVL in femoro-popliteal PAD. This will help operators achieve better clinical outcomes. This pan-European panel of experts using intravascular lithotripsy in routine peripheral arterial disease endovascular practice has provided important insights into best care practices before, during, and after such procedures. Several recommendations have been produced based on a structured consensus process to guide clinicians globally. This will improve and standardise the use of this technology in the femoro-popliteal arterial segment.

Blockchain-Based Cold Chain Traceability with NR-PBFT and IoV-IMS for Marine Fishery Vessels

Due to limited communication, computing resources, and unstable environments, traditional cold chain traceability systems are difficult to apply directly to marine cold chain traceability scenarios. Motivated by these challenges, we construct an improved blockchain-based cold chain traceability system for marine fishery vessels. Firstly, an Internet of Vessels system based on the Iridium Satellites (IoV-IMS) is proposed for marine cold chain monitoring. Aiming at the problems of low throughput, long transaction latency, and high communication overhead in traditional cold chain traceability systems, based on the Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT) consensus algorithm, a Node-grouped and Reputation-evaluated PBFT (NR-PBFT) is proposed to improve the reliability and robustness of blockchain system. In NR-PBFT, an improved node grouping scheme is designed, which introduces a consistent hashing algorithm to divide nodes into consensus and candidate sets, reducing the number of nodes participating in the consensus process, to lower communication overhead and transaction latency. Then, a reputation evaluation model is proposed to improve the node selection mechanism of NR-PBFT. It enhances the enthusiasm of nodes to participate in consensus, which considers the distance between fishery vessels, data size, and refrigeration temperature factors of nodes to increase throughput. Finally, we carried out experiments on marine fishery vessels, and the effectiveness of the cold chain traceability system and NR-PBFT were verified. Compared with PBFT, the transaction latency of NR-PBFT shortened by 81.92%, the throughput increased by 84.21%, and the communication overhead decreased by 89.4%.

PIoT‐fortifying IoT device identity and data access: A security framework empowered by blockchain

AbstractThe IoT, which refers to the process in which billions of devices are connected to the Internet, has emerged as an essential component of today's society. Yet, the safety of data exchange and the identification of devices in IoT networks have emerged as significant concerns in recent years. Also, there will be a significant drop in the effectiveness of the conventional consensus process. This study presents a novel consensus technique, Proof of IoT (PIoT), to address the security and authentication‐related issues in the IoT Infrastructure. It uses blockchain‐based smart contracts to securely transfer the data and uniquely identify the device on the IoT‐based network. PIoT uses a reputation assessment technique that involves complex cryptographic NuCypher‐based security computations to authenticate and update the data across IoT devices. This contract assures that only authorized parties can access the information recorded in the blockchain. A reward‐based filtering technique is developed for PIoT to identify malicious nodes with harmful actions, preventing them from contributing to consensus. Compared to specific conventional methods, PIoT performs better in simulations. Compared with LPBFT, DAC4SH Consensus, the Point of Interaction in blockchain‐based PIoT improved by 74.7% and 96.8%, respectively. When compared to DAC4SH, PIoT shows an overall 15% improvement in the security of the blockchain under the IoT. In addition to providing a secure method of communication between IoT devices, the given study also provides security against various IoT attacks.

Honeybee-like collective decision making in a kilobot swarm

Drawing inspiration from honeybee swarms' nest-site selection process, we assess the ability of a kilobot robot swarm to replicate this captivating example of collective decision making. Honeybees locate the optimal site for their new nest by aggregating information about potential locations and exchanging it through their waggle dance. The complexity and elegance of solving this problem rely on two key abilities of scout honeybees: self-discovery and imitation, symbolizing and , respectively. We employ a mathematical model to represent this nest-site selection problem and program our kilobots to follow its rules. Our experiments demonstrate that the kilobot swarm can collectively reach consensus decisions in a decentralized manner, akin to honeybees. However, the strength of this consensus depends not only on the interplay between independence and interdependence but also on critical factors such as swarm density and the motion of kilobots. These factors enable the formation of a percolated communication network, through which each robot can receive information beyond its immediate vicinity. By shedding light on this crucial layer of complexity—the crowding and mobility conditions during the decision making—we emphasize the significance of factors typically overlooked but essential to living systems and life itself. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Integrating programme theory into the development of a core outcome set for technology-assisted counselling interventions in dementia: study protocol of the ProCOS study

IntroductionDue to the increasing number of persons with dementia, the need for family and professional support is growing. Counselling services aim to support family dementia caregivers and the use of...

Prioritization of Vaccines for Introduction in the National Immunization Program in the Republic of Korea.

This study presents a framework for determining the prioritization of vaccine introduction in the National Immunization Program (NIP) of the Republic of Korea, with a focus on case examples assessed in 2021 and 2023. We describe the predefined criteria for evaluating the prioritization of vaccines in the NIP and the established process in the Republic of Korea. These criteria included disease characteristics, vaccine characteristics, rationality and efficiency of resource allocation, and the acceptance of immunization. The process of prioritizing NIP introduction involved several sequential steps: a demand survey, evidence collection, preliminary evaluation, priority evaluation, and decision making. In 2021 and 2023, 14 and 25 committee members participated in evaluating the prioritization of vaccines in the NIP, respectively. Overall, 13 and 19 NIP vaccine candidates were included in the 2021 and 2023 evaluations, respectively. Through the Delphi survey and consensus processes, the priority order was determined: vaccination against Rotavirus infection was the top priority in 2021, while Influenza 4v (for chronic disease patients) took precedence in 2023. This study demonstrates an evidence-based decision-making process within the healthcare field. The outlined approach may provide valuable guidance for policymakers in other countries seeking to prioritize the inclusion of new vaccines in their NIP.

A GAVeCeLT consensus on the indication, insertion, and management of central venous access devices in the critically ill.

Central venous access devices are essential for the management of critically ill patients, but they are potentially associated with many complications, which may occur during or after insertion. Many evidence-based documents-consensus and guidelines-suggest practical recommendations for reducing catheter-related complications, but they have some limitations. Some documents are not focused on critically ill patients; other documents address only some special strategies, such as the use of ultrasound; other documents are biased by obsolete concepts, inappropriate terminology, and lack of considerations for new technologies and new methods. Thus, the Italian Group of Venous Access Devices (GAVeCeLT) has decided to offer an updated compendium of the main strategies-old and new-that should be adopted for minimizing catheter-related complications in the adult critically ill patient. The project has been planned as a consensus, rather than a guideline, since many issues in this field are relatively recent, and few high-quality randomized clinical studies are currently available, particularly in the area of indications and choice of the device. Panelists were chosen between the Italian vascular access experts who had published papers on peer-reviewed journals about this topic in the last few years. The consensus process was carried out according to the RAND/University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Appropriateness Methodology, a modification of the Delphi method, that is, a structured process for collecting knowledge from groups of experts through a series of questionnaires. The final document has been structured as statements which answer to four major sets of questions regarding central venous access in the critically ill: (1) before insertion (seven questions), (2) during insertion (eight questions), (3) after insertion (three questions), and (4) at removal (three questions).

Regionalisation and Political Development in Southeast Asia: Towards new modernism

Political development in Southeast Asia is re-written by regional elites. In the context of the Southeast Asia, a series of interrelated ideological systems, including the formation of elite political consensus is involved. The article argues that there are still long-term challenges in the construction of narrative-discourse systems for forming one's own identity, and defining development space. This paper makes the case that the political spectrum in Southeast Asia does not simply reflect the liberal, conservative, political thought found in Europe, but rather represents a narrative system of civilizational integration based on the region's demands of the contemporary world.

Interdisciplinary Delphi study by PROSEC North America: Recommendations on single indirect restorations made from ceramic and nonmetallic biomaterials for posterior teeth.

This article puts forward consensus recommendations from PROSEC North America regarding single indirect restorations made from ceramic and nonmetallic biomaterials in posterior teeth. The consensus process involved a multidisciplinary panel and three consensus workshops. A systematic literature review was conducted across five databases to gather evidence. The recommendations, informed by findings from systematic reviews and formulated based on a two-phase e-Delphi survey, emphasize a comprehensive treatment strategy that includes noninvasive measures alongside restorative interventions for managing dental caries and tooth wear. The recommendations advocate for selecting between direct and indirect restorations on a case-by-case basis, favoring inlays and onlays over crowns to align with minimally invasive dentistry principles. The recommendations highlight the critical role of selecting restorative biomaterials based on clinical performance, esthetic properties, and adherence to manufacturer guidelines. They emphasize the importance of precision in restorative procedures, including tooth preparation, impression taking, contamination control, and luting. Regular follow-up and maintenance tailored to individual patient needs are crucial for the longevity of ceramic and nonmetallic restorations. These PROSEC recommendations provide a framework for dental practitioners to deliver high-quality restorative care, advocating for personalized treatment planning and minimally invasive approaches to optimize oral health outcomes. The PROSEC North America recommendations highlight the importance of minimally invasive techniques in posterior tooth restorations using ceramic and non-metallic biomaterials. These principles prioritize tooth structure conservation and personalized treatment planning, essential for enhancing clinical outcomes and long-term oral health.

Introduction to the Special Issue “Canonizing and Contesting Communist-Era Dissent in Eastern Europe: Actors, Representations, and Impacts since 1989”

This special issue in historical and memory studies analyzes two interrelated processes. It explores how the dissident past has been negotiated, contested, or reclaimed since 1989 and how key post-dissident actors have employed their own pasts as a moral and political resource after 1989, with what consequences. The issue approaches post-dissident history and the memory of dissent after 1989 in a regional-comparative frame while paying ample attention to transnational dynamics, such as interactions between Western recognition and national contestation. The issue thus analyzes the varied meanings east Europeans have assigned to dissident pasts and post-dissident presents and how the contests over such meanings have come to shape their politics and culture. Individual contributions focus on post-dissident actors, their representations, or their impact. A focus on actors enables in-depth exploration of post-dissident politics across the Visegrád countries and how the dissident experience was translated, via a politics of consensus, into liberal politics during the early years of “transition.” This focus also yields studies that analyze how post-dissidents have drawn on the intellectual authority and moral credibility they derived from their dissident pasts. Other studies in the collection trace transformation in the representation of forms of dissent in the decades since 1989 and the changing political and cultural values such representations have conveyed. Still other studies explore and reflect on the reasons behind the backlash against the post-dissident canon and its leading representatives while also considering ways in which “dissident heroes” have been posthumously reclaimed.

Post-Dissident Politics and the “Liberal Consensus” in East-Central Europe after 1989

This article’s central question is how former dissidents and their engagement in post-1989 nascent democratic politics contributed to the emergence of what was later retrospectively labelled the “liberal consensus.” I look at the earliest stages of this consensus before it started to lock in the conditionality of the EU accession process. To this end, I first discuss the “liberal consensus” from a retrospective and past prospective perspective. I define the notions of “post-dissent” and liberal politics emerging after 1989 on the dissident platform. I discuss the theoretical background and historical contours of the notion of dissident “politics of consensus.” The empirical core of the study is an analysis of the birth of post-dissident liberal parties in the process of the disintegration of broad consensual democratization movements of the 1989 revolutions. The study offers a comparison of the Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, and Polish cases, analyzing their similarities and less obvious but significant differences.

The moral accounting of debts: productivity, deservingness and the consensual creation of Chapter XIII bankruptcy

Abstract Chapter XIII’s wage-earner payment plans are now the default form of personal bankruptcy in the USA. During the Great Depression, it was created as a voluntary choice and enacted with unanimous legislative support. Absent conflict between creditors and labor and social reformers, legislators agreed that Chapter XIII was for the benefit of both honorable insolvents and their fair creditors. How did wage-earner payment plans emerge out of a consensual legislative process? Employing a computational abductive approach on a wide range of legislative, media and bankruptcy records, I show that Chapter XIII’s creation was facilitated by a ‘moral accounting’ that, based on their race and gender identities, positively evaluated most White men bankruptcy petitioners as ‘deserving’, even as it recognized occupational variations in their economic ‘productivity’. This study highlights how racial discourses of ‘deservingness’ are central to the construction of credit markets as part of America’s submerged welfare state.

Leaderless consensus decision-making determines cooperative transport direction in weaver ants.

Animal groups need to achieve and maintain consensus to minimize conflict among individuals and prevent group fragmentation. An excellent example of a consensus challenge is cooperative transport, where multiple individuals cooperate to move a large item together. This behaviour, regularly displayed by ants and humans only, requires individuals to agree on which direction to move in. Unlike humans, ants cannot use verbal communication but most likely rely on private information and/or mechanical forces sensed through the carried item to coordinate their behaviour. Here, we investigated how groups of weaver ants achieve consensus during cooperative transport using a tethered-object protocol, where ants had to transport a prey item that was tethered in place with a thin string. This protocol allows the decoupling of the movement of informed ants from that of uninformed individuals. We showed that weaver ants pool together the opinions of all group members to increase their navigational accuracy. We confirmed this result using a symmetry-breaking task, in which we challenged ants with navigating an open-ended corridor. Weaver ants are the first reported ant species to use a 'wisdom-of-the-crowd' strategy for cooperative transport, demonstrating that consensus mechanisms may differ according to the ecology of each species.