DELPHI CONSENSUS BUILDING DEFINED
The Delphi consensus approach is a powerful and widely accepted method to achieve agreement among a diverse group of panelists. This approach allows exercise of group communication and consensus building among a selected panel of geographically dispersed individuals. Biomedical researchers have a rich history of using Delphi methodology to tackle critical public health issues such as policies regarding appropriateness and frequency for drug prescription,(1-3) and HIV /AIDS prevention,(4-6). Furthermore, our colleagues from the McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health, whom are lead by Dr. Abdallah Daar, have successfully applied Delphis to address issues related to biotechnology,(7) nanotechnology,(8) and regeneration(9) within the developing world and will provide expertise to best apply the Delphi methodology to generate consensus for barriers affecting utilization of stem cell in human clinical trials or clinical applications.
DELPHI FOR STEM CELL TRANSLATIONAL BARRIERS
A Delphi will be launched to assist in yielding consensus guidelines to contribute to the harmonization of international regulations addressing the use of stem cells as therapies for spinal cord injury and related central nervous system disorders. This activity represents a much-needed step towards defining how translation of stem cells should transpire. This Delphi will allow multiple international stem cell stakeholders to take an active role in addressing translational barriers that impede the transition of stem cells into the clinic. Through increasing cross-communication amongst global stakeholders, this Delphi will help to facilitate the development of timely, safe and effective stem cell treatments for patients with spinal cord injury or related neurological disorders around the world.
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Beers MH, Ouslander JG, Rollingher I, Reuben DB, Brooks J, Beck JC. Explicit criteria for determining inappropriate medication use in nursing home residents. UCLA Division of Geriatric Medicine. Arch Intern Med 1991e:151;1825-32.
2. Thompson DF, Heflin NR. Frequency and appropriateness of drug prescribing for unlabeled uses in pediatric patients. Am J Hosp Pharm 1987e:44;792-4.
3. Willcox SM, Himmelstein DU, Woolhandler S. Inappropriate drug prescribing for the community-dwelling elderly. JAMA 1994e:272;292-6.
4. Chin J, Sato PA, Mann JM. Projections of HIV infections and AIDS cases to the year 2000. Bull World Health Organ 1990e:68;1-11.
5. Noble JT, Stearns NS, Wolff SM. Curriculum guidelines for AIDS education of primary care practitioners: outcome of an authority opinion survey. Am J Prev Med 1990e:6;42-50.
6. Leang S. The impact of the HIV epidemic on health services in Cambodia: a Delphi study. Asia Pac J Public Health 2008e:20 Suppl;141-7.
7. Daar AS, Thorsteinsdottir H, Martin DK, Smith AC, Nast S, Singer PA. Top ten biotechnologies for improving health in developing countries. Nat Genet 2002e:32;229-32.
8. Salamanca-Buentello F, Persad DL, Court EB, Martin DK, Daar AS, Singer PA. Nanotechnology and the developing world. PLoS Med 2005e:2;e97.
9. Greenwood HL, Singer PA, Downey GP, Martin DK, Thorsteinsdottir H, Daar AS. Regenerative medicine and the developing world. PLoS Med 2006e:3;e381.
DELPHI CONSENSUS BUILDING APPROACH: PROCESS
