The Delphi Technique In Developing International Health Policies: Experience From The SARSControl Project

Abstract

The overall aim of this methodological study was to evaluate the Delphi technique as a tool to develop international policies for SARS and SARS-like diseases using criteria found in the literature and its application in the SARSControl Delphi study. The main weaknesses in the Delphi process were found to be -the lack of experts in infectious diseases amongst the Delphi team, the 9-point Likert scale without clear verbal labels, lack of representatives from countries with SARS experience, discontinuity in the Delphi panel composition from the 1st to the 2nd round to the face -to-face meeting and delays in data gathering due to collaboration with another project. It can be concluded that from the results that Delphi technique when rigorously administered, analyzed and reported is a valuable method to develop international health policy recommendations for emerging infectious diseases and aid the international policy development process creatively collecting expert opinions and suggestions.