How the Delphi method fits within the Medical Affairs plan

How the Delphi method fits within the Medical Affairs plan

Evidence-based healthcare practices exist for the management of a variety of diseases and conditions. Traditionally, the main aim of clinical studies is to improve efficacy and safety results to guarantee the enhanced quality of life and patient outcomes.¹ However, variability of approaches in the practice of healthcare providers is observed.

It is important therefore to consider the context in evidence-based practice. Strict criteria for inclusion and exclusion of participants in randomised controlled trials often do not reflect clinical reality.² Therefore, there is a need for additional evidence, such as real-world data studies and expert opinions, to cover the heterogeneity and diversity observed in real-world settings.³

Medical Affairs is a rapidly evolving role that is increasingly required to demonstrate leadership within pharmaceutical organisations. The Medical Affairs plan includes seeking and capturing insights from a range of sources, but also leveraging evidence to enable real change.⁴

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) suggested 3 important steps for maximising and accelerating the transfer of research results, as represented in Figure 1.¹

Maximising and accelerating the transfer of research results

Figure 1. Steps for maximising and accelerating the transfer of research results¹

1. Knowledge creation and distillation

This initial step includes conducting studies and obtaining results.¹ Despite the existence of different types of evidence, there is a continuing growth of evidence developed using consensus-led techniques, such as the Delphi method, to generate robust expert opinion in medicine and healthcare.^5,6 It is a straightforward and rapid approach applicable across various therapeutic areas to address diverse unmet needs, particularly when other types of evidence are not appropriate. This Level 4 evidence is credible and can be published in peer-reviewed journals.⁶ Delphi method results allow their immediate implementation and use, as they frequently include practical recommendations or patients’ perspectives.

2. Knowledge diffusion and dissemination

Evidence obtained via the Delphi method can support positive changes in healthcare, notably in disease management, treatment pathways, and improving patient outcomes. To bring positive change in healthcare, findings from the Delphi method should be communicated beyond manuscript publication.

Medical affairs plans include multifaceted dissemination strategies for evidence across different channels. Materials targeted at specific audiences can be produced to communicate the evidence, educate the community, such as researchers, healthcare professionals, payers, and patients, and even strengthen peer mobilisation to foster decision-making and actions to be taken.

Follow-on activities can engage the target audience after a consensus has been reached.

The choice of these materials depends on the goal and the targeted audience.

• Academic community

Medical affairs could consider producing materials to present at scientific meetings to share findings with the academic community.

• Payers and the broader healthcare community

Policy and pathway tools, such as business cases and model care pathways, can be used to engage payers, while press releases and email campaigns can be instruments to inform the broader healthcare community.

• Patients

Patient materials such as brochures and leaflets can be accessed at key locations and used for educational and training purposes.

Dissemination and communication of results is a fundamental aspect of a research project as it helps draw attention to findings and ensures their healthcare impact.⁷

3. Organisational adoption and implementation

At this stage, results should be implemented and used in daily practice by organisations, teams, and individuals.¹ Some examples of effective dissemination and successful implementation of results obtained using the Delphi method include influencing guidelines and treatment pathways, or amplifying patients’ voices to consider their preferences, as outlined in Figure 2.

Implementation of Delphi method results 

Figure 2. A case study demonstrating how results of the Delphi method can be implemented to make better decisions, actioned

Helping to define how higher standards of equitable care for von Willebrand (VWD) disease can be achieved in the UK and Republic of Ireland (ROI)

Outcomes

·       66 responses achieved from VWD experts across the UK & ROI

·       8 clear recommendations across the VWD pathway that have the potential to raise the standard of care for patients in the UK and ROI by reducing delays to diagnosis and treatment initiation

·       Published in a peer-reviewed journal (Haemophilia) which supports credibility and citation of subsequent materials. The paper has already been noticed and cited by other researchers working in this field

·       Provided a strong platform for the client team to engage with key healthcare agencies to drive changes to improve the equity of VWD care between men and women

Follow-on activities

·       Education and training of non-specialist healthcare providers to focus of the recognition of bleeding disorders

·       Awareness of the need for management of VWD via closer multidisciplinary collaboration

·       Updated guidelines to support management and treatment

The role of the Delphi method provider

Due to the nature of the Delphi Method depending on independent facilitation, it is usual to seek an expert independent provider to help deliver a study that can be published. It is important to emphasise the role of the Delphi method provider in the study outcomes. The provider should not only facilitate the Delphi method, offering support at every step of the process and ensuring strict adherence to the approach, but should also act as an advisor on how to strategically present the evidence to maximise its impact.

Depending on the study objectives, specific follow-on activities can be developed based on the results of the Delphi method. These activities might include materials for congresses, patient information materials, recommendations and educational materials for healthcare providers, etc. Therefore, the Delphi method can be considered a powerful tool to form a broader campaign to deliver results in forms understood by target audiences. The suggested way to widely share study results is represented in Figure 3.

Figure 3. Algorithm for the efficient distribution of study results

About us

With over 50 manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals, Triducive has extensive experience in developing a range of campaign activities based on the results of the Delphi method. These activities include congress communications, customer-facing materials, digital assets, commissioning support guides, and more. Our team of healthcare experts and scientific writers experienced in various therapeutic areas guarantees an individual approach to each study and provides advice on the best strategy to reach established objectives.

Contact us for more information about the Delphi method and follow-on activities.

References

1. Titler MG. 2008. Chapter 7.
2.  Paraskevas KI et al. J Vasc Surg 2019;70(2):607–614.
3.  Zhou J et al. PharmaSUG 2023.
4. Triducive. Time to assess and realign the focus for Medical Affairs?
5. ACM Guide to computing literature, AMED, Business source complete, CINAHL, ERIC, PsycInfo, PubMed, RAND Library Catalog, Scopus, Web of Science.
6. Khodyakov D et al. PLoS One 2023;18(8):e0289009.
7. Marin-Gonzalez E et al. Int J Health Serv 2017;47(2):258–276.