Delphi Process

Delphi is a qualitative research technique for consensus building.
The communication is organised in a group of experts in order to achieve their opinion in a systematic way and to group subjective judgments. Every expert can express his/her own opinion anonymously.

Delphi proceeds in a series of rounds (more than one, if needed). In the first round 1, the Experts are invited to provide opinions on a specific matter, based on their knowledge and experience. These opinions are grouped together under a limited number of headings and statements drafted for circulation to all participants on a questionnaire.

Usefulness and feasibility were the criteria for selecting indicators.

An User Manual facilitated the process and ensured methodological homogeneity.



The dedicated website was accessibile, using username and password, in the private area of the EUROPLAN website.


Participants were
  • Ministry of Health representatives from 27 MS
  • Ministry of Health representatives from Norway and Croatia
  • EURORDIS Advisors
  • 4 experts (e.g. epidemiologists, health services planning experts, rare disease experts)