title: [Consensus doesn't always mean agreement: limitations of consensus methods in health services].
abstract: Taking decisions in uncertain situations has led to a high use of the consensus methods (Nominal Group Technique, Delphi Method, and Consensus Conferences) in the health services. The review made in this article shows that the appropriate use of these techniques requires a high degree of methodologic precision, especially in relation to the financer's declaration of objectives, the appropriate selection of the participants, previous realization of a synthesis of the preexistent information, the definition of the agreement degree which leads to the consensus and in the evaluation of its impact.
authors.affiliation: Institut Valencià d'Estudis en Salud Pública, Valencia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peiró Moreno
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Portella Argelaguet
mesh_terms: D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D003245:Consensus Statements as Topic; D015975:Consensus Development Conferences, NIH as Topic; D003657:Decision Making; D003697:Delphi Technique; D006126:Group Processes; D006298:Health Services Administration; D007221:Industry; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities
vernacular_title: No todo es acuerdo en el consenso: limitaciones de los métodos de consenso en los servicios de salud.