RAND/UCLA Modified Delphi Panels

ADVI Health partners with pharmaceutical and biotech organizations to advance their evidence generation and market access strategies. We support complex research questions through primary research (e.g., surveys and chart reviews), secondary dataset analyses using our CMS Virtual Research Data Center (VRDC) innovator license, and RAND/UCLA Modified Delphi expert panels.

Our team combines expertise in data science, clinical research, innovation, and payer strategy. 

Specifically, our RAND/UCLA Modified Delphi panel work helps clients: 

• Assess clinical practice patterns and treatment pathways 
• Generate expert consensus where published evidence is limited 
• Support HEOR and market access initiatives 
• Inform evidence generation and commercialization strategy 
• Develop payer- and stakeholder-focused insights 

What is a RAND/UCLA Modified Delphi Panel?

A validated approach for developing clinical appropriateness criteria and achieving consensus on complex clinical decisions when evidence is limited or conflicting.

• Unlike other Delphi approaches, it combines scientific evidence review with expert clinical judgment, including a virtual or in-person panel meeting, to generate robust consensus.
• The RAND/UCLA modified Delphi method is a structured consensus process that combines expert opinion and evidence through iterative rating and discussion to develop clear, credible guidance.

Executing this methodology involves a structured, four-phase journey. Phase I lays the essential groundwork with a formal study kick-off, a targeted literature summary, and the initial recruitment and contracting of expert panelists. In Phase II, the focus shifts to collaboration as we work directly with the panel to develop tailored rating forms, which the experts then use to complete their initial pre-meeting ratings. Phase III drives the core consensus through a dynamic panel meeting, held either virtually or in person, where experts discuss the data and variations, followed by the completion of final post-meeting ratings. Finally, Phase IV synthesizes the results, working alongside panelists to develop formal consensus statements and translating the final insights into a comprehensive study report, publishable abstracts, and manuscripts.

Get in touch to learn more about how we can help support and enhance your evidence generation and commercialization strategies.

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Caitlin Sheetz, MPH
Senior Vice President and Head of Strategic Analytics, Value and Economics