Developing a culturally tailored peer assessment tool: A consensus approach using the nominal group technique in the Arab region
Creators: name: Alotaibi, Wafa
name: Hart, Jo
name: Byrne-Davis, Lucie
Publisher: name: F1000 Research Limited
Year: 2024

description: <b>Background:</b> <br>
Professionalism in medical education is a culturally nuanced concept<sup>1</sup>. This study extends previous research by employing the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) to achieve consensus among medical education experts in the Arab region on designing a culturally sensitive peer assessment tool. The nominal group technique is a highly effective method to achieve consensus and harmonize expert opinions<sup>2</sup>.<br>
Summary of Work: A panel of seven medical education experts from the Arab region participated in the study. The experts were from different institutions, Including participants from Egypt and Saudi Arabia. During the focus group, the panel used the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) to brainstorm, discuss, and rank professional behaviours that should be included or excluded from the peer assessment tool. The primary goal of the discussion was to identify the elements for peer assessment tool development including key attributes and standards that are necessary for assessing professionalism in a way that aligns with Arab cultural values. We ensured ethical considerations were met by obtaining informed consent from all participants and recording and transcribing all discussions for thematic analysis.<br>
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<b>Summary of Results:</b> <br>
The NGT sessions led to a consensus on refining the peer assessment tool. Key decisions included the exclusion of behaviours such as politeness, conflict resolution, peer-to-peer teaching, awareness of cultural holidays, and incorporation of traditional healing practices. The group recommended use of the Likert scales for measuring these behaviours, enhancing the tool's ability to quantify and understand the impact of these behaviours in a structured manner. These decisions reflect a tailored approach to assessing professionalism that is culturally relevant in the Arab context.<br>
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<b>Discussion and Conclusion:</b> <br>
This study demonstrates the effectiveness of the NGT in achieving consensus among a diverse group of experts in a culturally complex setting. The development of a peer assessment tool, refined through expert consensus and tailored to the Arab context, marks a significant advancement in ensuring that assessments of professionalism are culturally relevant and sensitive.<br>
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<b>Take Home Messages:</b>

 To understand professionalism assessment in medical education of cultural contexts, it is essential to method like the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) to achieve consensus.
 The refinement of a peer assessment tool ensures its relevance and effectiveness in the Arab context.

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1-    AlFaris E, Irfan F, Abouammoh N, et al. Physicians’ professionalism from the patients’ perspective: a qualitative study at a single-family practice in Saudi Arabia. BMC medical ethics.<i> </i>2023;24(1):39-39.<br>
2-    Dubey UKB, Kothari DP. Research methodology: techniques and trends. First edition. ed. Boca Raton: Chapman &amp; Hall/CRC Press; 2022.