Protocol of an International Delphi Process

NCT06936826 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2024-01162;am24Nickel
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 23
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to develop a consensus-based protocol for medical screening in patients presenting with acute psychiatric symptoms. Using the Delphi method, the study seeks to identify which medical evaluations should be performed routinely in this patient population and under what circumstances. By engaging a panel of experts, the study aims to reduce variability in current practice and support the development of a standardized, evidence-informed approach.

Conditions

Delphi Process; Psychiatric Emergency; Medical Screening

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Consensus regarding items for the new medical screening tool

  Consensus is define as agreement over a pre-set benchmark of ≥80% agreement. If ≥80% of the responses of all participants to a variable indicate "agree", "strongly agree" or "very strongly agree" in the final round of this Delphi study, it is considered consensus that the variable will be kept.

  through study completion, an average of 7 months

Interventions

Delphi Consensus Process OTHER

Round 1: Evaluation of current Medical Screening Tools and Scoping Review Results Round 2: Rating previous Statements from Round 1 Round 3: Consensus Round 4: Testing Content and Construct Validity of the new Medical Screening Tool with Clinical Vignettes

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

interdisciplinary group from national and international societies in emergency medicine and psychiatry on 5 continents and patient representatives * Patient representatives: at least 6 in total; can include patients, patient relatives, caregivers, organizations, experts, or advocates * society representatives: national and international societies for emergency medicine and psychiatry from North America, South America, Europe, and Australasia, 3 representatives per region, at least 12 in total; strong interest in medical screening with a proven track record in emergency psychiatry and/or current employment in an emergency psychiatry setting

You may qualify if:

• proficient in English
• possess prior experience with medical screening processes in the Emergency Department

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland: lead

Study Sites (1)

University Hospital Basel

Basel, 4031, Switzerland

RECRUITING

Related Publications (1)

• Unlu L, Carpenter CR, Sterzer P, Griese JA, Chrobok L, Minotti B, Christ M, Nordstrom K, Skinner C, Lunardi C, Alsma J, Bingisser R, Wilson MP, Nickel CH. Development of a medical screening process for patients with acute psychiatric symptoms presenting to the emergency department: protocol for a modified international Delphi study. BMJ Open. 2025 Oct 20;15(10):e105062. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-105062.

  PMID: 41120177 DERIVED

Study Officials

• Christian H Nickel, Prof. MD

  University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Luca Ünlü, MD

CONTACT

+41 61 556 53 24; Luca.Uenlue@usb.ch

Christian H Nickel, Prof. MD

CONTACT

+ 41 61 556 5315; Christian.Nickel@usb.ch

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: ECOLOGIC OR COMMUNITY
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 8, 2025
• First Posted: April 20, 2025
• Study Start: April 3, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2026
• Study Completion: April 1, 2026
• Last Updated: April 20, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-04

Locations

CH (1)