Consensus methodology in the development and content validation of a gross motor performance measure

The development of standardized measures in paediatric physiotherapy requires input from therapists academics in the field of clinical child development. Obtaining clinical input identifies feasibility issues, improves the likelihood of instrument validity and facilitates clinician awareness with resultant feelings of 'ownership' of the research. A variety of consensus methods are available to structure this input. This paper presents the strengths and weaknesses of these methods in the context of the development of a Gross Motor Performance Measure for children with cerebral palsy. Nominal group process meetings and Delphi survey procedures were used to obtain input from clinicians and academics regarding quality of movement. Discussion addresses the logistics of organizing these methods, setting criterion agreement and incorporating new information into the measure.