Using consensus methods to establish multidisciplinary perspectives on research priorities for primary care

Abstract

The execution and incorporation of research into practice is influenced by the relevance and credibility of the work undertaken. Part of this process can be to identify priority research questions from the service provider perspective. We sought to obtain a multidisciplinary consensus on priority research questions around the broad issue of prescribing in an inner London Primary Care Group locality. Participants were drawn from general practice, primary care nursing and community pharmacy. This paper explores how two formal consensus methods were used to facilitate multidisciplinary participation within the research arena, and the extent to which a convergence of opinion between professional groups was obtained. The use of a structured nominal group interview technique abated professional dominance and generated a diverse array of research questions. An iterative Delphi process secured a wide consensus of opinion regarding the relevance of these questions to practice. The richness of the research questions generated was attributed to the consultation process and the ability of the consensus methods used to capture the multidisciplinary perspective. The practice based research questions identified were diverse and suited to a collaborative research approach.