Table 1 Response scales used by the Delphi Panel for rating the importance, operational feasibility, and political feasibility of solutions to medication non-adherence
From: Developing consensus-based policy solutions for medicines adherence for Europe: a delphi study
Important scale | Operational feasibility scale | Political feasibility scale |
|---|---|---|
1. Not at all important | 1. Definitely unfeasible | 1. Definitely politically unfeasible |
− Unlikely to have impact on non-adherence | − Cannot be implemented | − Politically unacceptable |
− Not at all confident about effectiveness of solution | − Unprecedented allocation of resources would be needed | − Completely unacceptable to the public |
− Basic research needed | ||
2. Slightly important | 2. Probably unfeasible | 2. Probably politically unfeasible |
− Potential for impact on a minority of patients | − Some indication that this cannot be implemented | − Major political obstacles |
− Not very confident about effectiveness of solution | − Large scale increase in available resources would be needed | − Not acceptable to a large proportion of the general public |
− Major research effort needed | ||
3. Somewhat important | 3. May or may not be implemented | 3. May or may not be implemented politically |
− Potential for impact on some patients | − Contradictory evidence that this can be implemented | − Political obstacles |
− Unsure about effectiveness of solution | − Increase in available resources would be needed | − Some indication that this may not be acceptable to a large proportion of the general public |
− Indeterminable research evidence available | ||
4. Very important | 4. Probably feasible | 4. Probably politically feasible |
− Potential for impact on majority of patients | − Some indication that this could be implemented | − Some minor political obstacles |
− Quite confident about effectiveness of solution | − Available resources would have to be supplemented | − Further consideration may have to be given to public reaction, although some evidence exists that the proposed solution may be acceptable |
− Some research still required | ||
5. Extremely important | 5. Definitely feasible | 5. Definitely politically feasible |
− Potential for widespread general impact | − Can be implemented | − No major political obstacles |
− Very confident about effectiveness of solution | − Necessary resources (financial, labour etc) are presently available | − Will be acceptable to the general public |
− No further research required |