Academic Journal
Best practice implementation in gerontology and geriatrics delphi studies: a scoping review.
| Title: | Best practice implementation in gerontology and geriatrics delphi studies: a scoping review. |
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| Authors: | Jarrott SE; The Ohio State University, 1947 College Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. Electronic address: jarrott.1@osu.edu., Ogletree AM; Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. Electronic address: aaron.michael.ogletree@emory.edu., Turner SG; Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA. Electronic address: shelbieturner@vt.edu., Demetres M; Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA. Electronic address: mrd2006@med.cornell.edu. |
| Source: | International psychogeriatrics [Int Psychogeriatr] 2026 Sep; Vol. 38 (5), pp. 100248. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Jul 31. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article; Scoping Review |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Cambridge University Press Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9007918 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1741-203X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10416102 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Int Psychogeriatr Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: 2004- : Cambridge, UK : Cambridge University Press Original Publication: New York : Springer Pub. Co., c1989- |
| MeSH Terms: | Geriatrics*/standards , Delphi Technique* , Aging*, Humans ; Research Design |
| Abstract: | Background and Objectives: With Delphi panels in aging research proliferating, we conducted a scoping review to: (1) aggregate key practice recommendations; (2) document their use in aging research; and (3) use findings to recommend practices and their reporting for aging researchers in the form of a Delphi Quality Criteria Rating Form for Aging (DQ4A). Research Design and Methods: We conducted a scoping review of Delphi studies focused on aging published in peer-reviewed journals using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Searches were run in May 2025 in relevant databases. Titles, abstracts, and full-texts screening yielding a sample of 102 articles. Data were extracted and synthesized to feature study characteristics and Delphi methodological practices. Results informed creation of the DQ4A. Results: Adherence to methodological recommendations varied, highlighting the need for streamlined guidance. Common practices included specification of panelist selection criteria (95%), provision of the final product (93%), and substantiation of Delphi method use (78%). Least represented practices included targeting number of panelists based on anticipated attrition (11%), use of double blinding (14%), and panelist review of original and modified products (18%). Using the DQ4A, we demonstrate that 24% of all studies had average quality, 33% had higher-than-average quality, and 43% had lower-than-average quality. Discussion and Implications: Findings highlight methodological gaps, indicating recommendations to improve the Delphi method in gerontology and geriatrics. Investigators can use the DQ4A to improve conduct and reporting of Delphi studies while ensuring that resultant products reflect diverse stakeholder needs. (Copyright © 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.) |
| Competing Interests: | Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Aaron Ogletree reports financial support was provided by National Institutes of Health. Shelbie Turner reports financial support was provided by National Institute on Aging. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Agreement; Consensus building; Delphi panel; Guideline development; Research methods |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260731 Date Completed: 20260928 Latest Revision: 20261009 |
| Update Code: | 20261009 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.inpsyc.2026.100248 |
| PMID: | 42538169 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1741-203X |
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| DOI: | 10.1016/j.inpsyc.2026.100248 |