Opinion Review
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2021.
World J Methodol. Jul 20, 2021; 11(4): 116-129
Published online Jul 20, 2021. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v11.i4.116
Table 1 Evaluation of Delphi studies on coronavirus disease 2019 that were published in 2020 on nine qualitative evaluation points
No.
Ref.
Medicine field
Geographical location (Country/Continent)
Aim or purpose            
Guidance format
1Vitacca et al[24]RehabilitationItaly, EuropeConsensus on pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COVID-19 after discharge from acute care.Recommendations from experts’ panel.
2Mikuls et al[25]RheumatologyUSA, North AmericaGuidance to rheumatology providers on the management of adult rheumatic diseases during COVID-19 pandemic.77 initial guidance statements converted to 25 final guidance statements.
3Greenhalgh et al[26]Primary healthUK, EuropeTo develop early warning score for patients with suspected COVID-19 who need escalation to next level of care.Development of software for early warning score in COVID-19 patients.
4Lamb et al[27]Respiratory medicine and critical care medicineUSA, NAGuidance to physicians on the preparation, timing, and technique of tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients.Eight recommendations.
5Welsh Surgical Research Initiative (WSRI) Collaborative[28]General surgeryGlobalIdentify the needs of the global OR workforce during COVID-19.Statements, predominantly standardization of OR pathways, OR staffing, and preoperative screening or diagnosis.
6Eibensteiner et al[29]NephrologyEuropeTo gather expert knowledge and experience to guide the care of children with chronic kidney disease during the COVID-19 pandemic.Qualitative expert statements and answers.
7Bhandari et al[30]GastroenterologyGlobalGuidance on how to resume endoscopy services during COVID-19.Best practice recommendations to aid the safe resumption of endoscopy services globally in the era of COVID-19.
8Guckenberger et al[31]RadiotherapyNA and EuropeTo develop practice recommendations pertaining to safe radiotherapy for lung cancer patients during COVID-19 pandemic.Consensus recommendations in common clinical scenarios of radiotherapy for lung cancer.
9Aj et al[32]General surgeryNA, Europe and AustraliaValidation of international COVID-19 surgical guidance during COVID-19 pandemic.Area of consensus and contentious areas from previous guidelines.
10Gelfand et al[33]DermatologyNAGuidance on the management of psoriatic disease during the COVID-19 pandemic.22 guidance statements.
11Allan et al[34]SurgeryGlobalGuidance on surgery and OR practices during COVID-19 pandemic.Development of research priorities in discipline of surgery related to COVID-19.
12Shanbehzadeh et al[35]Medical informatics and public healthIran, Middle eastDevelopment of minimum data set for COVID-19 surveillance system.Conceptual COVID-19 surveillance model.
13Bergman et al[36]Long-term nursing careNAConsensus guidance statements focusing on essential family caregivers and visitors in nursing homes during COVID-19 pandemic.Recommendations for visitors in long term nursing homes.
14Daigle et al[37]OphthalmologyCanadaRisk stratifying for oculofacial plastic and orbital surgeries in context of transmission of SARS-CoV-2.Risk based algorithm for oculoplastic surgeries and recommendations for appropriate PPE.
15Sorbello et al[38]AnaesthesiaEuropeReview of available evidence and scientific publications about barrier-enclosure systems for airway management in suspected/confirmed COVID-19 patients.Recommendation on enclosure barrier systems.
16Jheon et al[39]Cardiovascular and thoracic surgeryAsiaThoracic cancer surgery during COVID-19 pandemic.Recommendations on timing, approach, type of surgery, and postoperative requirements.
17Olmos-Gómez et al[40]Behavioural sciencesSpain, EuropeTo know the impact of learning environments and psychological factors.Future research priorities.
18Sawhney et al[41]GastroenterologyGlobalStudy to emphasize patient-important outcomes while considering procedural timing.Recommendations on procedural timing for common indications for advanced endoscopy during COVID-19.
19Sciubba et al[42]NeurosurgeryUSAStudy to device scoring system to help with triaging surgical patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.Scoring system to triage spinal surgery cases during COVID-19 pandemic.
20 Errett et al[43]Environmental health scienceUSAStudy to develop an Environmental Health Sciences COVID-19 research agenda.To validate, find limitations, and identify future research priorities.
21Arezzo et al[44]Minimal access surgeryGlobalTo study and provide recommendations for recovery plan in minimally invasive surgery amid COVID-19 pandemic.Framework for resumption of surgery with focus on minimally invasive surgeries following COVID-19 pandemic.
22Dashash et al[45]Healthcare educationSyriaTo identify essential competencies required for approaching patients with COVID-19.Core competency points for health care professionals to prepare them for COVID-19 pandemic.
23Ramalho et al[46]PsychiatryGlobalTo create a practical and clinically useful protocol for mental health care to be applied in the pandemic.Consensus protocol for use of telemedicine in psychiatry consults during COVID-19 pandemic.
24Saldarriaga Rivera et al[47]RheumatologyColumbia, SATo produce recommendations for patients with rheumatological diseases receiving immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive therapies.Recommendations for pharmacological management of patients with rheumatic diseases during COVID-19 pandemic.
25Tchouaket Nguemeleu et al[48]Public healthCanada, NAStudy for development and validation of a time and motion guide to assess the costs of prevention and control interventions for nosocomial infections.Development and validation of a new instrument for systematic assessment of costs relating to the human and material resources used in nosocomial infection prevention and control.
26Santana et al[49]NursingBrazil, SATo develop an adaptable acceptable nursing protocol during the pandemic.Protocol for nurse managers to cope with pandemic.
27Tang et al[50]OncologyChinaTo develop a risk model based on the experience of recently resumed activities in many cancer hospitals in China to reduce nosocomial transmission of SARS-CoV-2.Risk model development on the basis of experience from recently resumed cancer hospital.
28Jiménez-Rodríguez et al[51]Public healthSpainDevelop recommendations for telemedicine in video consultations during COVID-19.Consensus recommendations for healthcare professionals for proper management of video consultation.
29Reina Ortiz et al[52]Public healthEcuadorDevelopment of bio-safety measures to reduce cross-transmission of SARS-CoV-2.Biosafety-at-home flyer for high-risk group and health care workers to reduce the risk of cross-transmission.
30Douillet et al[53]Internal medicineFrance and BelgiumIdentify reliable criteria for hospitalization or outpatient management in mild cases of COVID-19.Development of toolkit “HOME-CoV rule”, a decision-making support mechanism for clinicians to target patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 requiring hospitalization.
31Richez et al[54]RheumatologyFranceManagement of anti-inflammatory agents and disease-modifying-anti-rheumatic-drugs for rheumatological patients during COVID-19.Recommendations to rheumatologists on management.
32Yalçınkaya et al[55]Physiotherapy and rehabilitation medicineTurkeyRecommendations for the management of spasticity in Cerebral palsy children during COVID-19 pandemic.Consensus recommendations for spasticity management in cerebral palsy children.
33Tanasijevic et al[56]Haemato-oncologyUSATo identify minimum hemoglobin for safe transfusion in myelodysplastic syndrome during COVID-19 pandemic.Recommendations for lowest value of hemoglobin for which transfusions can safely forgo.
34Alarcón et al[57]DentistryLatin AmericaEducation and practice in implant Dentistry during COVID-19 pandemic.Consensus recommendations.
Table 2 Basic information of the Delphi studies included for evaluation
No.
Ref.
Identification of problem area
Selection of panel members
Anonymity of panellist
Controlled feedback
Iterative rounds
Consensus Criteria
Analysis of consensus
Closing criteria
Group stability
Number of rounds
Number of experts
1Vitacca et al[24]YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNo220
2Mikuls et al [25]YesYesNot clearYesYesYesYesYesNo214
3Greenhalgh et al[26]YesNot clearYesYesYesNot clearYesYesNo472
4Lamb et al[27]YesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesNo113
5Welsh Surgical Research Initiative (WSRI) Collaborative[28]YesNoYesNoNoYesYesYesNo1339
6Eibensteiner et al[29]YesYesNot clearYesYesNoNoNoNo413
zBhandari et al[30]YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNo234
8Guckenberger et al[31]YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNo332
9Aj et al[32]YesNoYesYesNoYesYesYesNo1339
10Gelfand et al[33]YesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesNo218
11Allan et al[34]NoNoYesNoYesYesYesNoNo3213
12Shanbehzadeh et al[35]YesYesNoNoYesYesYesYesNo240
13Bergman et al[36]YesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesNo221
14Daigle et al[37]YesYesNot clearYesYesYesYesYesNo218
15Sorbello et al[38]YesNot clearNot clearNot clearNot clearNot clearNot clearNot clearNot clear-0
16 Jheon et al[39]YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNo226
17Olmos-Gómez et al[40]YesYesNot clearNot clearYesYesYesYesYes3441
18Sawhney et al[41]Not clearNot clearNot clearYesYesYesYesNoNot clear314
19Sciubba et al[42]Not clearNot clearNoNot clearYesNoYesNoNot clear316
20 Errett et al[43]Not clearNot clearYesNot clearYesYesYesYesNo328
21Arezzo et al[44]YesNot clearYesYesNoYesYesYesNo255
22Dashash et al[45]YesNot clearNot clearYesNoYesYesNoNo320
23Ramalho et al[46]YesNot clearNot clearYesYesYesYesNot clearNo216
24Saldarriaga Rivera et al[47]YesNoNot clearYesYesYesYesNot clearNo311
25Tchouaket Nguemeleu et al[48]YesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYes218
26Santana et al[49]NoNot clearNoYesYesYesYesNoNot clear46
27Tang et al[50]YesYesNot clearNoNot clearNoNoNoNo183
28Jiménez-Rodríguez et al[51]NoYesNot clearYesYesYesYesYesNo316
29 Reina Ortiz et al[52]NoYesNot clearYesYesNoNoNot clearNo212
30Douillet et al[53]YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNot clear451
31Richez et al[54]YesYesNoYesNoNoNoNot clearNo210
32Yılmaz Yalçınkaya et al[55]YesYesNot clearNoNoYesYesNoNo160
33Tanasijevic et al[56]YesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesNo313
34Alarcón et al[57]YesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesNo3197