title: Building consensus in health care: a guide to using the nominal group technique.
abstract: The nominal group technique has been used in the health care sector in the development of guidelines and the identification of research priorities. The methodology suits research that includes both health professionals and consumers, since it allows for the free exchange of opinions and the generation of ideas within a structured and non-hierarchical discussion forum. This article describes the process of planning and running a nominal group and uses examples from a primary-care-based study to illustrate some of the advantages of using this method, and also the practical implications of using the technique in consensus development.
authors.affiliation: Nottingham Primary Care Research Partnership, Broxtowe and Hucknall Primary Care Trust. jane.bethea@broxtowehucknall-pct.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dyas
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D032921:Consensus; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D003697:Delphi Technique; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards; D036301:Qualitative Research; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018401:Sample Size; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires