TY - JOUR

T1 - Undertaking Research Using Online Nominal Group Technique

T2 - Lessons from an International Study (RESPACC)

AU - Mason, S.

AU - Ling, J.

AU - Mosoiu, D.

AU - Arantzamendi, M.

AU - Tserkezoglou, A.J.

AU - Predoiu, O.

AU - Payne, S.

PY - 2021/11/17

Y1 - 2021/11/17

N2 - Background: Nominal group technique (NGT) is a well-established research method for establishing consensus. Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, research methods need to be adapted to engage with participants online. Objective: To determine the feasibility and acceptability of adapting NGT to an online format. Setting: Palliative care clinicians (n = 31) in Greece, Romania, and Spain. Methods: NGT discussions were used to elicit palliative care clinicians' opinions, and to rank priorities regarding their understanding and needs about clinical research. Preliminary online training of country-based facilitators was followed by content analysis of debriefing reports to capture learning related to the online NGT format. Results/Implementation: Three NGT sessions used online platforms (Zoom/MS Office/Mentimeter) for the meetings. Analysis of the facilitator reports generated three themes: preparation/facilitation/timing; optimizing technology; and interactions. Conclusions: Conducting NGT meetings online is viable and may be advantageous when compared with traditional face-To-face meetings, but requires careful preparation for participants to contribute effectively.

AB - Background: Nominal group technique (NGT) is a well-established research method for establishing consensus. Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, research methods need to be adapted to engage with participants online. Objective: To determine the feasibility and acceptability of adapting NGT to an online format. Setting: Palliative care clinicians (n = 31) in Greece, Romania, and Spain. Methods: NGT discussions were used to elicit palliative care clinicians' opinions, and to rank priorities regarding their understanding and needs about clinical research. Preliminary online training of country-based facilitators was followed by content analysis of debriefing reports to capture learning related to the online NGT format. Results/Implementation: Three NGT sessions used online platforms (Zoom/MS Office/Mentimeter) for the meetings. Analysis of the facilitator reports generated three themes: preparation/facilitation/timing; optimizing technology; and interactions. Conclusions: Conducting NGT meetings online is viable and may be advantageous when compared with traditional face-To-face meetings, but requires careful preparation for participants to contribute effectively.

KW - COVID-19

KW - nominal group technique

KW - online

KW - palliative care

KW - research

KW - terminal care

U2 - 10.1089/jpm.2021.0216

DO - 10.1089/jpm.2021.0216

M3 - Journal article

VL - 24

SP - 1867

EP - 1871

JO - Journal of Palliative Medicine

JF - Journal of Palliative Medicine

SN - 1096-6218

IS - 12

ER -