The Utilization of Consensus Techniques in Education and Research in Medical Professions

Abstract

ABSTRACT Study Design This is a narrative review. Introduction Consensus techniques are an increasingly common research tool used to define levels of expert agreement on a topic where evidence is inconsistent or lacking. An assessment of commonly used consensus techniques can inform future education and research. Objective The aim of this study was to describe the use of various consensus techniques used in education and research in orthotics and prosthetics and closely related medical professions, to aid in choosing the most appropriate consensus technique for future research. Methods A systematic search of the literature was conducted using specific terms and keywords related to various consensus techniques, applications of consensus techniques in research and education, and medical disciplines related to orthotics and prosthetics. Studies were included if they described the use of a consensus technique for medical education or research and explained why the specific technique was used. Results Common consensus techniques were identified in the literature. To allow comparison of the techniques, the advantages, disadvantages, limitations, and previous applications of each were extracted from the literature. Conclusion Using the information from the literature, the most prevalent consensus techniques can be compared, aiding educators and researchers in choosing the technique most suitable for their topic of inquiry.