Developing an appropriate depression and anxiety screening tool for use with Australian First Nations peoples living in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area of Australia: Protocol for a Delphi study

Abstract

Tools that screen for depression and anxiety developed using the Western biomedical paradigm are still used with First Nations peoples globally, despite calls for cross-cultural adaption. Recent work by the research team found that tools used to screen for depression and anxiety were not appropriate for use with Australian First Nations peoples living in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area (NPA). of Australia. Consequently, the objective of this Delphi study is to gain consensus from an expert mental health panel to inform the development of an appropriate depression and anxiety screening tool(s). A Delphi study with Australian expert panellists will be used to reach consensus about whether an existing screening tool should be used or whether adaption or new tool development should take place. Three sequential rounds of anonymous online surveys will be used to reach consensus. The first round will seek consensus about the tool(s). Subsequent rounds will seek consensus on the development of the tool(s) identified in round one. Panellists will be identified using a combination of authorship of related publications, established national clinical or research profile in First Nations mental health, and/or by peer referral. Consensus will be reached when 75% of the panel agree. When agreement is not reached suggestions will be taken to the next round. If agreement is not achieved by the third round, the Steering Committee will make any outstanding decisions. Dissemination of the findings through continuing community engagement, conference presentations and publications will be led by Torres Strait Islander members of the research team.