Applying the Modified Delphi Method to Identify the Taiwanese Electronic Health Record Systems Evaluation Framework and Instrument

The aim of this research is to design an appropriate conceptual evaluation framework with a draft instrument for validating the structure of the Taiwanese EHR systems evaluation framework. According to the knowledge of “Triangulation research method” and both quantitative and qualitative approaches, the modified Delphi method was applied to refine the proposed instrument into practicable for real medical environment based on a quantitative approach. In addition, by calculating content validity index for items (I-CVI) and content validity index for scales (S-CVI), it also indicates the degree of consensus between and within questions in the proposed instrument. In short, an appropriate instrument for achieving its target was generated in this research

Movement Skills Assessment tool: A validation study using a modified Delphi method

Physical activity is integrated in preventive health programs due to its health-related benefits. Increasing physical activity levels in children and adolescents is a global objective that focuses in cognitive, affective, and behavioral factors. Physical literacy and models of motor development suggest a positive association between movement competence and physical activity. Poor movement competence is associated with a sedentary lifestyle and is a risk factor for musculoskeletal injury. Promoting physical activity and sports participation is crucial; however, participating in physical activity and sports has been related to increased risk of musculoskeletal injury. Assessments of physical literacy and movement competence are mainly focused on motor development factors, but injury prevention techniques are not considered in these assessments. Our objective was to establish the face and content validity of four movement skills, each with four evaluation criteria, to create a movement skills assessment tool for 8-12-year-old children to fill the gap between movement competence and injury prevention assessments. We used a modified Delphi method to survey an international expert panel of clinicians, researchers, and practitioners (n=22). Three rounds of surveys were used to achieve consensus on the validity of four movement skills and evaluation criteria. Consensus was achieved when 75% or more of the experts scored “Agree” or “Strongly Agree” using a 5-point Likert scale. In the first and second Delphi-rounds, the expert panel achieved consensus on the validity of eight movement skills and 53 evaluation criteria. In the third round, the experts ranked the movement skills and evaluation criteria to identify the top four movement skills and top four evaluation criteria per movement skill to create the movement skills assessment tool. This study provided preliminary validity evidence for the movement skills assessment tool. Future research should evaluate other psychometric properties and assess injury outcomes of a movement-oriented intervention. The movement skills assessment tool will be used to screen movement competence and identify movement patterns that present risk factors for musculoskeletal injury in different settings with minimal equipment

Educational needs of the financial planning industry

The South African financial planning industry experienced a rapid growth from its generic beginnings in the 1970’s to the vast levels of specialisation taking place in the 21st century. Financial planning, akin to the medical profession, is arguably one of the most critical areas of influence in the personal lifestyle planning of individuals given the increasing longevity brought about by the medical profession. Early transgressions and irregularities, as in the case of most industries, brought about the introduction of the Financial Advisory and Iintermediary Services (FAIS) Act in 2004 to regulate, transform and restructure the industry. Since the introduction of the Act, compliance with the legislation and obtaining the appropriate qualifications have become a major focus for financial planners. This groundbreaking academic research involves an assessment of the educational needs of graduates in the financial planning industry including an evaluation of the relative importance of the subject fields, management competencies and skills required in the field of financial planning with specific reference to the financial planning programmes offered by the HEIs in South Africa. The purpose of this study can be phrased in a threefold manner: Firstly, to assess at programme level the theoretical and practical relevancy of the HEIs financial planning programme content relative to the present and immediate future normative requirements of the financial planning profession; Secondly, to assess whether the academic programmes address the critical skills shortage in financial planning by determining the appropriate qualification delivery in terms of academic and practical learning to develop the appropriate management competencies; and Thirdly, based on the findings of this research, to address any gaps pertaining to the financial planning programme content and management competency and skills levels, thereby contributing to the body of knowledge pertaining to financial planning education in order to be relevant and responsive in servicing the financial services sector. To give effect to the problem statement and to validate the research propositions, a mixed methods design within the pragmatic research paradigm was used. A relatively new and innovative mixed methods approach, namely Real-time Delphi (RTD) procedures of sourcing professional expert opinion enabled the collection of qualitative and quantitative data for data triangulation. The RTD methodology which seeks the pooled intelligence from a group of selected experts is also capable of determining future requirements rather than only the current practice. This is the first academic study of its kind in South Africa utilising the RTD methodology

International Delphi study to assess the need for multiaxial criteria in diagnosis and management of functional gastrointestinal disorders

Purpose: While there are diagnostic criteria for functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), their evaluation is challenging. This is because criteria are based on symptoms, and the underlying pathophysiology is not clear; as such, there are no gold standard tests. Diagnosis is further challenged by considerable clinical overlap between different FGIDs as well as other organic diseases, while many people with FGIDs have more anxiety and depression than healthy individuals. I hypothesised that assessment of separate components of FGIDs that also indicate their effect on the patient could improve diagnosis. My aim was to investigate the evolution of opinions from experts involved in the development of FGID diagnostic criteria on the proposal for the development of multiaxial assessment criteria (MAC) for FGIDs. Methods: I conducted a web-based Delphi study using a group of purposively sampled experts identified from committees of the Rome Foundation and the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders. From a systematic search of relevant articles, I generated132 items that were sent to experts as a first round survey. The items assessed risk and contributing factors, the therapeutic relationship, areas of evaluation and the advantages and disadvantages of multiaxial assessment. Consensus on an item was reached when 75% of experts indicated that they agreed or strongly agreed with the statement. Key results: 36 of 68 eligible participants (52%) responded to the first round. Consensus was reached on 96 items. Using participant feedback, thematic analysis was used to generate 33 additional items for round two. Thirty-one of 36 participants (86%) replied to rounds two and three. In round two, 19 items gained consensus, and in round three, nine items gained consensus. Participants agreed that multiaxial assessment was needed, using a systematic approach to establish the physiological and psychosocial components of FGIDs. Participants were unable to agree on the importance of physical risk factors such as previous surgery and genetic association. Overall, 124 of the 167 items achieved consensus. Conclusion and inferences: The key finding from my study shows that experts agree that multiaxial assessment of FGIDs is needed. I also identified expert agreement on the consideration of psychological risk factors and the importance of the impact of FGID symptoms on daily life. Findings also show that experts disagreed on the impact of physical risk factors, socioeconomic status and spirituality on people with FGIDs. While experts could not agree on genetic and gender-based risk factors, they considered that these areas are important and require further research