[Delphi application in medical science teaching].

Teaching constitutes part of a psychiatrist's work. The essential determinants of best practice in psychiatric education as well as proven teaching methods are still lacking. The authors have presented the application of the Delphi technique to under- and postgraduate teaching programmes in diverse fields of medical knowledge. The Delphi method is based on systematic and anonymous refinement of expert opinion on defined scientific issues. The conventional approach of the method relies on questionnaires filled in by chosen experts in at least 3 or 4 rounds. Answers are assessed quantitatively and qualitatively during subsequent rounds in order to refine and specify opinions and--when expected--to achieve consensus. Innovative methods of the Delphi analysis have been presented. Patients' and physicians' opinions as well as electronic methods have been applied in curricula development. Both the positive experience of practical Delphi method application and methodological flexibility might be useful in construction of modern teaching programmes in psychiatry.