title: A modified Delphi consensus study to identify UK osteopathic profession research priorities.
abstract: There is an increasing emphasis to take an evidence-based approach to healthcare. To obtain evidence relevant to the osteopathic profession a clear research direction is required based on the views of stakeholders in the osteopathic profession. A modified Delphi consensus approach was conducted to explore the views of osteopaths and patients regarding research priorities for osteopathy. Osteopaths and patients were invited to complete an online questionnaire survey (n = 145). Round 1 requested up to 10 research priority areas and the rationale for their selection. All of the themes from Round 1 were fed back verbatim, and in Round 2 participants were asked to rank the importance of the research priorities on a 5-point Likert scale. Finally, in Round 3 participants were asked to rank the importance of a refined list of research topics which had reached consensus. Descriptive analysis and use of Kendall's coefficient of concordance enabled interpretation of consensus. The response rate for Round 1 was 87.9% and identified 610 research priority areas. Round 2 identified 69 research themes as important, and Round 3 identified 20 research priority topic areas covering four themes: effectiveness of osteopathic treatment (7 areas prioritised), role of osteopathy: the management of four conditions were prioritised, risks with osteopathic treatment (two areas prioritised) and outcomes of osteopathic treatment (two areas prioritised). The findings will be taken forward to develop the research strategy for osteopathy.
authors.affiliation: School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Rushton
authors.affiliation: National Council for Osteopathic Research, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Yvonne Carter Building, 58 Turner Street, London E1 2AB, UK.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Fawkes
authors.affiliation: National Council for Osteopathic Research, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Yvonne Carter Building, 58 Turner Street, London E1 2AB, UK. Electronic address: d.carnes@qmul.ac.uk.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carnes
authors.affiliation: School of Health Professions, University of Brighton, 49, Darley Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN20 7UR, UK.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D003697:Delphi Technique; D006801:Humans; D010021:Osteopathic Medicine; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Delphi consensus; Osteopathic profession; Research priorities