Use of the Delphi Method to Enhance Pharmacist Contraceptive Counseling Materials

Abstract

Background: Many states have pharmacist contraceptive prescribing laws with several others in the process of enacting similar legislation. Little continuity or standardization exists across these programs, including development of counseling materials. Although the risk of unplanned pregnancy is greatest among adolescents and young adults, developed materials are not always sensitive to youth.

Objective: To use a modified Delphi method to develop standardized youth-friendly counseling tools that are sensitive to pharmacy workflow during pharmacist contraceptive prescribing.

Methods: A multidisciplinary expert panel of women's health pharmacists, community pharmacists, adolescent medicine pediatricians, obstetrician-gynecologists, and public health advocates was assembled and reviewed materials over 3 iterations. Comments were anonymized, summarized, and addressed with each iteration. A graphic designer assisted with visual representation of panel suggestions. Reviewer feedback was qualitatively analyzed for emergent themes.

Results: The Delphi method produced 5 main themes of feedback integrated into the final materials including attention to work flow, visual appeal, digestible medical information, universal use of materials, and incorporating new evidence-based best practices. Final materials were scored at a Flesch-Kincaid grade of 5.1 for readability.

Conclusions: The use of the Delphi method allowed for the efficient production of materials that are medically accurate, patient-centered, and reflect multiple disciplinary perspectives. Final materials were more robust and sensitive to the unique needs of youth.