Online Utilization of the Nominal Group Technique to Gather Consensus Opinion Across Geographically Disparate Locations

Article

Fallon, Anthony Bruce and O'Connell, Christine. 2024. "Online Utilization of the Nominal Group Technique to Gather Consensus Opinion Across Geographically Disparate Locations." Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions. 44 (4), pp. 293-298. https://doi.org/10.1097/CEH.0000000000000563
Article Title

Online Utilization of the Nominal Group Technique to Gather Consensus Opinion Across Geographically Disparate Locations

ERA Journal ID20528
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsFallon, Anthony Bruce and O'Connell, Christine
Journal TitleJournal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions
Journal Citation44 (4), pp. 293-298
Number of Pages6
Year2024
PublisherLippincott Williams & Wilkins
Place of PublicationUnited States
ISSN0894-1912
1554-558X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1097/CEH.0000000000000563
Web Address (URL)https://journals.lww.com/jcehp/fulltext/2024/04440/online_utilization_of_the_nominal_group_technique.10.aspx
Abstract

Introduction:
The nominal group technique (NGT) is a structured focus group that gathers opinion and generates consensus from groups on topics of interest. Previous studies using online NGTs (ONGTs) in health have been conducted in regions of high population density and internet connectivity. This activity aimed to determine the feasibility and utility of ONGTs in gathering opinion and reaching consensus on curriculum topics for a continuing research education program for health professionals dispersed across various locations in Southern Queensland.

Methods:
Fifteen clinical education academics from a range of health professions participated in 1-hour ONGT sessions from 2 University Department of Rural Health sites or their home offices. The traditional NGT was adapted for online use, using two free online platforms (Zoom for videoconferencing and Wooclap for voting and response collation).

Results:
The chosen platforms were effective in presenting ONGTs, allowing active and effective contributions to research topic ideas from all participants, including those with low internet connectivity. Silent generation enabled sharing, open discussion, and clarification of generated ideas. Wooclap was effective in reviewing and voting on generated responses and providing real-time feedback on voting outcomes. Outcomes were consistent with group consensus and useful in prioritizing research training topics.

Discussion:
The modified ONGT is effective in gathering opinion and gaining consensus from a geographically dispersed health workforce with varied levels of internet connectivity and experience with online platforms. It represents a cost-effective and time-effective alternative to face-to-face NGTs that is less likely to be affected by workforce disruptions.

Keywordsfocus groups; internet; health education; workforce; videoconferencing; rural health; Queensland; consensus
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020420301. Aged health care
Public Notes

Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions.

Byline AffiliationsCentre for Health Research
University of Queensland
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/zqzv6/online-utilization-of-the-nominal-group-technique-to-gather-consensus-opinion-across-geographically-disparate-locations

Log in to edit
  • 48
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Retention patterns of the public sector nursing and midwifery workforce in regional and rural settings of southern Queensland, Australia: a 12-year retrospective analysis
Elliott, Jessica, O'Malley, Lee, Walker, Clara, Van Erp, Ansmarie, Martin, Priya, Chong, Hwee Sin, Sangelaji, Bahram and Fallon, Tony. 2025. "Retention patterns of the public sector nursing and midwifery workforce in regional and rural settings of southern Queensland, Australia: a 12-year retrospective analysis." BMC Nursing. 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03324-1
Using archival employee data to examine retention patterns for healthcare workers in non-metropolitan Australia: a survival analysis
Martin, Priya, Walker, Clara, Sangelaji, Bahram, Elliott, Jessica, OMalley, Lee, Van Erp, Ansmarie, Chong, Hwee Sin, Coghlan, Anna and Fallon, Tony. 2025. "Using archival employee data to examine retention patterns for healthcare workers in non-metropolitan Australia: a survival analysis." BMC Health Services Research. 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12725-6
Efficacy of a student-led interprofessional health clinic for preventing and managing chronic disease
Hulme, A., Sangelaji, B., Walker, C., Fallon, T., Denham, J. and Martin, P.. 2024. "Efficacy of a student-led interprofessional health clinic for preventing and managing chronic disease." 17th National Rural Health Conference. Perth, Australia 16 - 18 Sep 2024
When eggs in the same basket are different: Length of stay for public sector allied health professionals in regional, rural and remote southern Queensland: 2010-2021
Fallon, T., Walker, C., Sangelaji, B., Van Erp, A., Sin Chong, H., Martin, P., Elliott, J. and O'Malley, L.. 2024. "When eggs in the same basket are different: Length of stay for public sector allied health professionals in regional, rural and remote southern Queensland: 2010-2021." Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health National Conference 2014. Kingscliffe, Australia 17 - 20 Sep 2014 Australia.
Efficacy of a student-led interprofessional health clinic in regional Australia for preventing and managing chronic disease
Hulme, Adam, Sangelaji, Bahram, Walker, Clara, Fallon, Tony, Denham, Joshua, Martin, Priya, Woodruffe, Steve, Bell, Kate, Aniftos, Michelle, Kirkpatrick, Jayne, Cotter, Nicola, Osborn, Dayle and Argus, Geoff. 2024. "Efficacy of a student-led interprofessional health clinic in regional Australia for preventing and managing chronic disease." Journal of Interprofessional Care. 38 (5), pp. 893-906. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2024.2380436
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student supervision and education in health care settings: A state-wide survey of health care workers
Martin, Priya, Hulme, Adam, Fallon, Tony, Kumar, Saravana, McGrail, Matthew, Argus, Geoff, Gurney, Tiana and Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan, Srinivas. 2023. "Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student supervision and education in health care settings: A state-wide survey of health care workers." Australian Journal of Rural Health. 31 (3), pp. 484-492. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajr.12969
Aspire2Health and COVID-19: the impact of the pandemic on outcomes from an outreach program to increase high school student interest in rural health careers
MacAskill, William, Fallon, Anthony Bruce, Cotter, Nicola and Purea, Paul. 2023. "Aspire2Health and COVID-19: the impact of the pandemic on outcomes from an outreach program to increase high school student interest in rural health careers." Rural and Remote Health. 23 (3).
Perceptions, concerns and reported behaviours in response to the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote Australian communities
Argus, Geoff, Walker, Clara, Baratiny, Genevieve, Cotter, Nicola and Fallon, Tony. 2022. "Perceptions, concerns and reported behaviours in response to the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote Australian communities." Australian Journal of Rural Health. 30 (3), pp. 352-362. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajr.12842
Breastfeeding and Australian GP registrars: their knowledge and attitudes
Brodribb, Wendy, Fallon, Anthony, Jackson, Claire and Hegney, Desley. 2008. "Breastfeeding and Australian GP registrars: their knowledge and attitudes ." Journal of Human Lactation. 24 (4), pp. 422-430. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334408323547
A connectionist model of short-term cued recall
Tehan, Gerald and Fallon, Anthony B.. 1999. "A connectionist model of short-term cued recall." Wiles, Janet and Dartnall, Terry (ed.) Perspectives on cognitive science: theories, experiments, and foundations. Stamford, CT. United States. Ablex Publishing Corporation. pp. 221-237
Nurses' confidence and experience in using information technology
Eley, Robert, Fallon, Tony, Soar, Jeffrey, Buikstra, Elizabeth and Hegney, Desley. 2008. "Nurses' confidence and experience in using information technology." Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing. 25 (3), pp. 23-35.
Phonological similarity and trace degradation in the serial recall task: when CAT helps RAT, but not MAN
Fallon, Anthony Bruce, Groves, Kim and Tehan, Gerald. 1999. "Phonological similarity and trace degradation in the serial recall task: when CAT helps RAT, but not MAN." International Journal of Psychology. 34 (5-6), pp. 301-307. https://doi.org/10.1080/002075999399602
The effect of item and relational processing on incidental long-term memory for order
Tehan, Gerald, Fallon, Anthony Bruce and Randall, Natalie. 1997. "The effect of item and relational processing on incidental long-term memory for order." Memory. 5 (4), pp. 457-482.
Australian nurses access and attitudes to information technology - a national survey
Hegney, Desley, Eley, Robert, Buikstra, Elizabeth, Fallon, Anthony Bruce, Soar, Jeffrey and Gilmore, Victoria. 2006. "Australian nurses access and attitudes to information technology - a national survey." Park, H.-A., Murray, P. and Delaney, C. (ed.) 9th International Congress on Nursing Informatics (NI2006). Seoul, Korea 11 - 14 Jun 2006 Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Exploring the influence of psychological factors on breastfeeding duration, phase 1: perceptions of mothers and clinicians
O'Brien, Maxine, Buikstra, Elizabeth, Fallon, Tony and Hegney, Desley. 2009. "Exploring the influence of psychological factors on breastfeeding duration, phase 1: perceptions of mothers and clinicians ." Journal of Human Lactation. 25 (1), pp. 55-63. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334408326071
An evaluation of a telephone-based postnatal support intervention for infant feeding in a regional Australian city
Fallon, Anthony Bruce, Hegney, Desley, O'Brien, Maxine, Brodribb, Wendy, Crepinsek, Maree and Doolan, Jackie. 2005. "An evaluation of a telephone-based postnatal support intervention for infant feeding in a regional Australian city." Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care. 32 (4), pp. 291-298. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0730-7659.2005.00386.x
Against all odds: a retrospective case-controlled study of women who experienced extraordinary breastfeeding problems
Hegney, Desley, Fallon, Tony and O'Brien, Maxine L.. 2008. "Against all odds: a retrospective case-controlled study of women who experienced extraordinary breastfeeding problems." Journal of Clinical Nursing. 17 (9), pp. 1182-1192. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02300.x
Reasons for stopping breastfeeding: what are they, what characteristics relate to them, and are there underlying factors?
O'Brien, Maxine, Fallon, Anthony Bruce, Brodribb, Wendy and Hegney, Desley. 2007. "Reasons for stopping breastfeeding: what are they, what characteristics relate to them, and are there underlying factors?" Birth Issues. 15 (3), pp. 105-113.
Identifying predictors of the reasons women give for choosing to breastfeed
Brodribb, Wendy, Fallon, Anthony Bruce, Hegney, Desley and O'Brien, Maxine. 2007. "Identifying predictors of the reasons women give for choosing to breastfeed." Journal of Human Lactation. 23 (4), pp. 338-344. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334407307540
The effect of breastfeeding self-efficacy on breastfeeding duration
O'Brien, Maxine and Fallon, Anthony. 2005. "The effect of breastfeeding self-efficacy on breastfeeding duration." Birth Issues. 14 (4), pp. 135-142.
A systematic review of psychometric evidence and expert opinion regarding the assessment of faecal incontinence in older community-dwelling adults
Fallon, Anthony Bruce, Westaway, Julie and Moloney, Clint. 2008. "A systematic review of psychometric evidence and expert opinion regarding the assessment of faecal incontinence in older community-dwelling adults." International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare. 6 (2), pp. 225-259.
Strategies for success: a toolbox of coming strategies used by breastfeeding women
Hegney, Desley, O'Brien, Maxine L., Buikstra, Elizabeth and Fallon, Tony. 2009. "Strategies for success: a toolbox of coming strategies used by breastfeeding women." Journal of Clinical Nursing. 18 (11), pp. 1574-1582. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02667.x
Creating a breastfeeding culture: a comparison of breastfeeding practices in Australia and Iran
Zareai, Mitra, O'Brien, Maxine L. and Fallon, Anthony B.. 2007. "Creating a breastfeeding culture: a comparison of breastfeeding practices in Australia and Iran." Breastfeeding Review. 15 (2), pp. 15-20.
Gender and personal breastfeeding experience of rural GP registrars in Australia - a qualitative study of their effect on breastfeeding attitudes and knowledge
Brodribb, W. E., Jackson, C., Fallon, A. B. and Hegney, D.. 2007. "Gender and personal breastfeeding experience of rural GP registrars in Australia - a qualitative study of their effect on breastfeeding attitudes and knowledge." Rural and Remote Health. 7 (737), p. 737.
Implementation of oral health recommendations into two residential aged care facilities in a regional Australian city
Fallon, Tony, Buikstra, Elizabeth, Cameron, Michelle, Hegney, Desley, Mackenzie, Debra, March, Judith, Moloney, Clint and Pitt, Jacinta. 2006. "Implementation of oral health recommendations into two residential aged care facilities in a regional Australian city." International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare. 4 (3), pp. 162-179. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-6988.2006.00040.x
Nurses and information technology
Hegney, Desley, Buikstra, Elizabeth, Eley, Robert, Fallon, Anthony Bruce, Gilmore, Victoria and Soar, Jeffrey. 2007. Nurses and information technology. Canberra, Australia. Commonwealth Government of Australia.
Barriers to use of information and computer technology by Australia's nurses: a national survey
Eley, Robert, Fallon, Anthony Bruce, Soar, Jeffrey, Buikstra, Elizabeth and Hegney, Desley. 2009. "Barriers to use of information and computer technology by Australia's nurses: a national survey." Journal of Clinical Nursing. 18 (8), pp. 1151-1158. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02336.x
The status of training and education in information and computer technology of Australia's nurses: a national survey
Eley, Robert, Fallon, Tony, Soar, Jeffrey, Buikstra, Elizabeth and Hegney, Desley. 2008. "The status of training and education in information and computer technology of Australia's nurses: a national survey." Journal of Clinical Nursing. 17 (20), pp. 2758-2767. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02285.x
Analysis of breast feeding data using data mining methods
He, Hongxing, Jin, Huidong, Chen, Jie, McAullay, Damien, Li, Jiuyong and Fallon, Tony. 2006. "Analysis of breast feeding data using data mining methods." Christen, Peter, Kennedy, Paul J., Li, Jiuyong, Simoff, Simeon J. and Williams, Graham J. (ed.) 5th Australasian Conference on Data Mining and Analystics (AusDM 2006). Sydney, Australia 29 - 30 Nov 2006 Sydney, Australia.
Aged care in the future and baby boomers: shall the twain ever meet? - baby boomers and aged care
Fallon, Anthony Bruce, Price, Kay, Hegney, Desley, Abbey, Jennifer, Neville, Christine C., Oxlade, Deborah and Soar, Jeffrey. 2004. "Aged care in the future and baby boomers: shall the twain ever meet? - baby boomers and aged care." Conrick, Moya and Soar, Jeffrey (ed.) 1st Australian Aged and Community Care Informatics Conference (ACCIC'04). Brisbane, Australia 24 - 25 Aug 2004 Brunswick East, Australia.
Against all odds: a retrospective study of women who succeeded at breastfeeding despite extraordinary difficulties
Hegney, Desley, Fallon, Tony, Crepinsek, Maree, O'Brien, Maxine and Doolan, Jackie. 2005. Against all odds: a retrospective study of women who succeeded at breastfeeding despite extraordinary difficulties. Toowoomba, Australia. University of Southern Queensland.
Psychological services in five South-West Queensland communities: supply and demand
Buikstra, E., Fallon, A. B. and Eley, R.. 2007. "Psychological services in five South-West Queensland communities: supply and demand." Rural and Remote Health. 7 (1), pp. 1-11.
The Toowoomba infant feeding support service project: Report on phase 1 - a longitudinal needs analysis of breastfeeding behaviours and supports in the Toowoomba region
Fallon, Anthony Bruce, O'Brien, Maxine, Plank, Ashley, Doolan, Jackie, Brodribb, Wendy, Hennessy, Jane, Laurent, Kathy and Baker, Sandra F.. 2003. The Toowoomba infant feeding support service project: Report on phase 1 - a longitudinal needs analysis of breastfeeding behaviours and supports in the Toowoomba region. Toowoomba, Australia. University of Southern Queensland.
Aged care nursing in Queensland - the nurses' view
Eley, Robert, Hegney, Desley, Buikstra, Elizabeth, Fallon, Anthony Bruce, Plank, Ashley and Parker, Victoria. 2007. "Aged care nursing in Queensland - the nurses' view ." Journal of Clinical Nursing. 16 (5), pp. 860-872. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2006.01696.x
Key issues in rural health: perspectives of health service providers in Queensland
Eley, Robert, Fallon, Anthony Bruce, Gorman, Don, Fahey, Paul P., Rogers-Clark, Cath and Hegney, Desley. 2006. Key issues in rural health: perspectives of health service providers in Queensland. Toowoomba, Australia. University of Southern Queensland.
A stock-take of existing aged care clinical placements for undergraduate nursing students in Australia
Neville, Christine C., Yuginovich, Trudy, Fallon, Anthony Bruce, Soar, Jeffrey, Boyes, Joanne and Grasby, David. 2006. A stock-take of existing aged care clinical placements for undergraduate nursing students in Australia. Toowoomba, Australia. University of Southern Queensland.
SEAM: improving the quality of palliative care in regional Toowoomba, Australia - lessons learned
Buikstra, Elizabeth, Pearce, Susanne, Hegney, Desley and Fallon, Tony. 2006. "SEAM: improving the quality of palliative care in regional Toowoomba, Australia - lessons learned ." Rural and Remote Health. 6 (1), pp. 1-10.
Lexicality and phonological similarity: a challenge for the retrieval-based account of serial recall?
Fallon, Anthony B., Mak, Eva, Tehan, Gerald and Daly, Charmaine. 2005. "Lexicality and phonological similarity: a challenge for the retrieval-based account of serial recall?" Memory. 13 (3/4), pp. 349-356. https://doi.org/10.1080/09658210344000215
The baby-friendly hospital initiative and breastfeeding duration: relating the evidence to the Australian context
Fallon, Anthony Bruce, Crepinsek, Maree, Hegney, Desley and O'Brien, Maxine. 2005. "The baby-friendly hospital initiative and breastfeeding duration: relating the evidence to the Australian context." Birth Issues. 14 (3), pp. 90-95.
Attitudes of Australian nurses to information technology in the workplace: A national survey
Eley, Robert, Soar, Jeffrey, Buikstra, Elizabeth, Fallon, Tony and Hegney, Desley. 2009. "Attitudes of Australian nurses to information technology in the workplace: A national survey." CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing. 27 (2), pp. 114-121. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCN.0b013e318197557e