After receiving a €10,000 APH HBCD grant in late 2019 to develop reporting guidelines for process evaluations, the project has now resulted in the publication of the CONPHES guideline. What began as a modest initiative evolved into a large-scale e-Delphi study spanning nearly two years.
The guideline was developed through: a comprehensive literature review, and an international e-Delphi consensus study involving a large and diverse panel of experts. Through multiple Delphi rounds, consensus was reached on 19 essential reporting items. CONPHES can be used for reporting process evaluations in a transparent and complete way, writing both study protocols and manuscripts, and supporting peer reviewers and journal editors in assessing reporting quality.
van Nassau F, Cillekens B, Jelsma JGM, Vis C, Mokkink LB, Treweek S, van der Ploeg HP; e-Delphi panel members. CONsensus-based Process evaluation reporting guideline for public HEalth intervention Studies (CONPHES) conducted alongside an effectiveness trial: an e-Delphi study. BMJ Open. 2025 Dec 19;15(12):e093962. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-093962.