Development of a checklist for interpreting chest radiographs: a modified Delphi technique

Standardized interpretation of chest radiographs is critically needed, particularly in settings without onsite radiologist expertise. The Delphi technique is a flexible method widely used to reach consensus on priorities and to establish clinical guidelines. To describe the development of a checklist for standardizing the interpretation of chest radiographs in settings lacking onsite radiologist expertise. A modified Delphi technique was used to refine a 21-item preliminary checklist developed by the research team. Nine experts registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa participated, comprising four radiologists, four radiographers and one medical doctors. Through two iterative rounds of expert review and revision, the checklist was refined, with consensus established through the experts’ approval of the final version. The two-round Delphi process produced the SCIEPR (standardization, communication, image evaluation, and pattern recognition) checklist, comprising 35 items considered essential for chest interpretation. The SCIEPR checklist standardizes communication between radiographers and medical practitioners, sets criteria for image evaluation, and supports pattern recognition. It is a structured chest interpretation tool developed specifically for radiographers to use in collaboration with medical doctors in hospitals without radiologists, and it may serve as a basis for guidelines and for education and training.