Expert Consensus for Discharge Referral Decisions Using Online Delphi

This paper describes the results of using a modified Delphi approach designed to achieve consensus from eight discharge planning experts regarding the decision to refer hospitalized older adults for post-discharge follow-up. Experts reviewed 150 cases using an online website designed to facilitate their interaction and efforts to reach agreement on the need for a referral for post-discharge care and the appropriate site for such care. In contrast to an average of eight weeks to complete just 50 cases using the traditional mail method, the first online Delphi round for 150 cases were completed in six weeks. Data provided by experts suggest that online Delphi is a time efficient and acceptable methodology for reaching group consensus. Other benefits include instant access to Delphi decision results, live knowledge of the time requirements and progress of each expert, and cost savings in postage, paper, copying, and storage of paper documents. This online Delphi methodology is highly recommended.

[1]  Starr Roxanne Hiltz,et al.  A comparative content analysis of face-to-face vs. asynchronous group decision making , 2003, Decis. Support Syst..

[2]  Tom Addison,et al.  E-commerce project development risks: evidence from a Delphi survey , 2003, Int. J. Inf. Manag..

[3]  M. Naylor,et al.  Patient Characteristics at Hospital Discharge and a Comparison of Home Care Referral Decisions , 2002, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

[4]  B. Jonathan.  Comprehensive discharge planning and home follow-up of hospitalized elders: A randomized clinical trial , 1999 .

[5]  Catherine Schifter,et al.  Online Focus Group: A Tool to Evaluate Online Students' Course Experience , 1999, Internet High. Educ..

[6]  E. Clemens,et al.  Assessing and balancing elder risk, safety and autonomy: decision-making practices of health care professionals. , 1997, Home health care services quarterly.

[7]  J. Crisp,et al.  The Delphi method? , 1997, Nursing research.

[8]  P. Prescott,et al.  Identification and referral of hospitalized patients in need of home care. , 1995, Research in nursing & health.

[9]  N Jairath,et al.  The Delphi methodology (Part one): A useful administrative approach. , 1994, Canadian journal of nursing administration.

[10]  M. Naylor,et al.  Comprehensive discharge planning for the hospitalized elderly. A randomized clinical trial. , 1994, Annals of internal medicine.

[11]  C. Estes,et al.  The Long Term Care Crisis: Elders Trapped in the No-Care Zone , 1992 .

[12]  D. Steinwachs,et al.  Impact of hospital discharge planning on meeting patient needs after returning home. , 1992, Health services research.

[13]  J. Mamon,et al.  Determining patient needs after discharge. , 1985, Nursing management.

[14]  A. V. D. Ven,et al.  Group Techniques for Program Planning , 1975 .