Exposure to childhood adversity is a powerful risk factor for psychopathology. Despite extensive efforts, we have not yet identified effective or scalable interventions that prevent the emergence of mental health problems in children who have experienced adversity. In this modified Delphi study, we identified intervention strategies for effectively targeting both the neurodevelopmental mechanisms linking childhood adversity and psychopathology – including heightened emotional reactivity, difficulties with emotion regulation, blunted reward processing, and social information processing biases, as well as a range of psychopathology symptoms. We iteratively synthesized information from experts in the field and relevant meta-analyses through three surveys, first with experts in intervention development, prevention, and childhood adversity (n = 32), and then within our study team (n = 8). The results produced increasing stability and good consensus on intervention strategy recommendations for specific neurodevelopmental mechanisms and symptom presentations and on strength of evidence ratings of intervention strategies targeting youth and parents. More broadly, our findings highlight how intervention decision making can be informed by meta-analyses, enhanced by aggregate group feedback, saturated before consensus, and persistently subjective or even contradictory. Ultimately, the results converged on several promising intervention strategies for prevention programming with adversity-exposed youth, which will be tested in an upcoming clinical trial.

The number of older people (aged 65+) will more than double by 2050 in Sweden. The ageing population is an increasing concern due to rising health-care costs and a shortage of health professionals. Older people generally prefer ageing in place, as long as they feel confident and comfortable. However, preventive and supportive measures are needed to maintain older people's independence and active participation in society. The aim of this study is to explore the prerequisites for a healthy and independent life among older people in Sweden. A Delphi study was conducted in three rounds. In round 1, seven focus group interviews were performed with older persons aged 65–79, older persons aged ⩾80, next of kin of older persons, health professionals in primary and home health care, assistant nurses in home care, care managers and local politicians. The data were analysed using thematic analysis, resulting in 35 statements of the prerequisites needed for a healthy and independent life. These statements were sent to the participants from round 1, who were asked to evaluate the degree to which they agreed with each statement in round 2, and again in round 3. There was an agreement of at least 80 per cent for 31 of the 35 statements. When asked to identify the three prerequisites of most importance for a healthy and independent life, most participants stated: to have a social life, to have freedom of choice and power over one's own situation, and to have the possibility to choose independently one's type of housing. There was an overall high group agreement on the prerequisites needed for a healthy and independent life among older people. The main areas of importance were to have a social life, several dimensions of feeling safe and to retain one's personal control.

Thailand and Germany's poultry industries face different agro-ecological and socio-economic circumstances, as well as a variety of public policies on sustainability in poultry production. Based on literature, 26 sustainability issues were identified and categorised into the five dimensions of sustainability, including environmental, economic, social, political and animal welfare aspects. Through a two-round Delphi methodology with an expert panel, additional concerning issues were proposed and all the sustainability issues were weighted by level of concern, from level 1 (not at all concerned) to level 5 (very concerned). Results showed that social, animal welfare and economic issues dominate the current discussion of sustainable poultry production. The use of antibiotics in poultry production, killing of male layer chicks and the role of food retailers were rated ‘very concerning’ by the German experts, whereas the Thai experts considered the outbreak of avian influenza and other highly infectious diseases, disease control in neighbouring countries, use of antibiotics in poultry production, contamination of meat and eggs with zoonotic microorganisms, and standards for poultry products required by importing countries as the most concerning issues.

Western societies currently face the aging of their populations. New challenges are experienced by health professionals who are involved in competency assessment that may necessitate a public guardianship. This assessment is complex and its consequences are significant. The Competency Assessment Tool (CAT) can be used to provide a rigorous, objective and ethical evaluation by an interdisciplinary team. The purpose of this study was to validate the CAT. To do this, a Delphi study was conducted among 33 experts from five professions (social worker, occupational therapist, physician, neuropsychologist and nurse), working in seven administrative regions of Quebec. An expert consensus on the content of the CAT was obtained in the first round of consultation. Thus, this study has validated an assessment and decision-making process (CAT) designed for health and social professionals. This decision model can guide the competency assessment of the ability of persons with cognitive impairment to take care of themselves and to manage their finances. Further studies will be necessary to support use of the CAT in practice

The reduction of the prevalence of zoonoses and zoonotic agents like campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis requires eradication, control and monitoring measures to protect both animal and public health. Therefore, it is important to identify the main sources of infections within the poultry production chain. As the latest EFSA results show, these zoonotic agents were mostly found on fresh poultry meat as well as in live poultry. Consequently, the main entrance paths have to be identified directly at farm level. Based on a literature review, the 112 risk factors for an introduction of Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. infections were summarised and attributed to 14 risk categories such as farm management, biosecurity, staff hygiene and carcass handling. Afterwards, the main risk factors were identified by elicitation of expert opinion using the Delphi methodology. In the explorative study, an international expert panel defined and weighted the relative importance of the risk categories and risk factors within a three-stage procedure. According to the working hypothesis, risk factors related to hygiene in the poultry house as well as external service crews are the main determinants for infection. Based on the results an evaluation and assessment scheme for poultry farms will be developed. Furthermore, the results can help to assess the status of poultry farms, to raise awareness in farmers and their staff for relevant farm management techniques within education and training manuals.

The purpose of this survey was to assess potential information sources for identifying new health care technologies. A three-round Delphi study was conducted, involving 38 selected experts who suggested and assessed potential sources by applying agreed criteria. Twenty-six potential information sources were considered. Timeliness, time efficiency, and sensitivity were important criteria in determining which were the most important sources. The eight recommended sources were: pharmaceutical journals, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, specialist medical journals, key medical journals, medical engineering companies, private health care providers, newsletters and bulletins from other health technology assessment agencies, and groups of expert health professionals. There is a need to use a combination of sources because the most useful sources will vary according to the type of technology under consideration.

Cognitive behavioural treatment manuals have increased in frequency, purpose and impact over the last 40 years. Despite numerous papers on the topic, few empirical studies regarding the constitution of treatment manuals have been conducted. A Delphi study examining the factors that constitute a good cognitive behavioural treatment manual is presented. This study generated a consensus of opinion of factors that therapists and researchers should consider when developing and appraising treatment manuals for cognitive behavioural interventions. Limitations of the study and the potential relevance of the research are discussed.