Delphi: a democratic and cost-effective method of consensus generation in transplantation
Publication Date
Advisor
Institution Author
Baydar, Dilek Ertoy
Co-Authors
Afrouzian, Marjan
Kozakowski, Nicolas
Liapis, Helen
Broecker, Verena
Truong, Luan
Avila-Casado, Carmen
Regele, Heinz
Seshan, Surya
Ambruzs, Josephine M.
Farris, Alton Brad
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher:
Frontiers Media Sa
Type
Abstract
The Thrombotic Microangiopathy Banff Working Group (TMA-BWG) was formed in 2015 to survey current practices and develop minimum diagnostic criteria (MDC) for renal transplant TMA (Tx-TMA). To generate consensus among pathologists and nephrologists, the TMA BWG designed a 3-Phase study. Phase I of the study is presented here. Using the Delphi methodology, 23 panelists with >3 years of diagnostic experience with Tx-TMA pathology listed their MDC suggesting light, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy lesions, clinical and laboratory information, and differential diagnoses. Nine rounds (R) of consensus resulted in MDC validated during two Rs using online evaluation of whole slide digital images of 37 biopsies (28 TMA, 9 non-TMA). Starting with 338 criteria the process resulted in 24 criteria and 8 differential diagnoses including 18 pathologic, 2 clinical, and 4 laboratory criteria. Results show that 3/4 of the panelists agreed on the diagnosis of 3/4 of cases. The process also allowed definition refinement for 4 light and 4 electron microscopy lesions. For the first time in Banff classification, the Delphi methodology was used to generate consensus. The study shows that Delphi is a democratic and cost-effective method allowing rapid consensus generation among numerous physicians dealing with large number of criteria in transplantation.
Description
Subject
Surgery, Transplantation