Table 4 Grading system for determining consensus in round 1 of the e-Delphi study

A**

Median rating is 9 for both expert panels

Include in round 2

A*

≥ 70% of respondents in each panel rate an outcome domain ≥ 7

Include in round 2

A

Median rating for an outcome domain is ≥ 7 for both expert panels

Include in round 2 if one of the panels achieves a median score of 9 OR qualitative evidence supports further consideration

B

Median rating for an outcome domain is ≥ 7 for only one expert panel

Include in round 2 if this group achieves a median score of 9 OR qualitative evidence supports further consideration

C

Median rating for the two panels combined is ≥ 4 and ≤ 6, and the median rating for no single panel is ≥ 7

Exclude from round 2 (unless strong qualitative evidence supports further consideration)

D

Median rating for the two panels combined is ≥ 1 and ≤ 3, and the median rating for no single group is ≥ 7

Exclude from round 2 (unless strong qualitative evidence supports further consideration)