Coming To A Consensus Creates Clinical Clarity

A clinical consensus statement is an expert‑driven position document used when evidence is limited, inconsistent, or insufficient to support a full clinical practice guideline. It is most appropriate when there is variability in clinical practice, uncertainty in care pathways, or opportunities to reduce risks and improve outcomes—especially for high‑risk procedures or topics lacking robust evidence

Consensus development requires a small, well‑balanced team (typically 8–10 experts) including clinicians, policymakers, and scientists with topic‑specific expertise. A strong chair is essential—someone experienced, unbiased, skilled in facilitating discussion, and capable of managing timelines. Team members must commit to participation, disclosure of conflicts, timely completion of tasks, and active engagement in meetings and surveys

The process typically includes:
- Planning – confirming the topic, conducting a preliminary search, defining scope, and setting timelines
- Selecting the team – ensuring expertise, balance, and availability
- Iterative development – through meetings, surveys, Delphi methods (see FAQ 4), and drafting statements
- Finalisation – refining statements, agreeing on wording, and completing documentation

Consensus development often spans 6–8 months and uses both remote and face‑to‑face engagements.

The Delphi method is a structured, iterative survey‑based process used to gather expert opinion without requiring in‑person interaction. Using tools like SurveyMonkey, team members score agreement on proposed statements (often using a 9‑point scale), helping the group identify priorities, resolve differences, and refine statements objectively while minimising bias

Publication in a peer‑reviewed journal is only the first step. Effective dissemination should extend across multiple channels—digital platforms, professional societies, conferences, and targeted communications—to ensure broad adoption. Because knowledge evolves, a plan for regular review and updates should be built into the dissemination strategy