Go the extra mile--use the Delphi Technique.

Abstract

AIM: The Delphi Technique is reviewed and its potential contribution to the management of change assessed. BACKGROUND: Change management is an essential skill required, not just by managers, but by all staff working in health care. Modern theories advocate participation and free communication to engender commitment and ensure successful change. Data collection methods associated with surveys--interviews and questionnaires--are regularly used to obtain information for service development. Indications of likely resistance are more difficult to obtain. KEY ISSUES: The Delphi Technique is critiqued and found to incorporate many attributes that can produce information which would be otherwise difficult or impossible to obtain. A recently published study performed by the author illustrates this potentiality. An indication of the impact of the findings on the subsequent implementation of change by service managers is provided. CONCLUSION: The Delphi Technique is a useful management tool that can provide data that are difficult to obtain by other means.