Open Call – Delphi Panel for the ESO White Paper

Open Call – Delphi Panel for the ESO White Paper on Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCVS) and Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES)

The ESO Guideline Board invites experienced stroke clinicians and subject-matter experts to join the Delphi voting panel for the ESO White Paper on PRES RCVS in development. We are seeking Delphi panellists who can contribute their expertise by evaluating and voting on draft consensus statements relating to the defined PICO questions of the project.

Role of Delphi Panel Members 

Delphi panellists will:

• Participate in multiple rounds of anonymous voting on draft consensus statements.

• Provide quantitative ratings on a 9-point Likert scale (from strong disagreement to strong agreement).

• Offer qualitative written feedback, including suggestions for improving clarity, scope, and clinical relevance.

• Review revised statements across iterative rounds until consensus (or stable non-consensus) is reached.

Panellists will not be responsible for authoring text or conducting literature reviews – their role is strictly to evaluate the proposed guidance through structured voting.

Introduction to the ESO White Paper Format 

The European Stroke Organisation (ESO) White Papers serve as expert consensus–based clinical guidance in areas of stroke care where robust evidence is limited, evolving, or currently insufficient to support full evidence-based guideline recommendations. As outlined in the ESO Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), White Papers use a transparent, structured, and iterative consensus method, drawing on multidisciplinary expertise to formulate practical clinical guidance for high-priority topics.

A central component of developing White Papers is the modified Delphi process, an established method designed to gather expert judgement through multiple rounds of anonymous voting, structured feedback, and iterative refinement. This ensures that all expert perspectives, irrespective of seniority, geography, or discipline, are weighted equally and transparently in formulating consensus statements.

To uphold the methodological rigor described by ESO, the Delphi panel must include a sufficiently broad and diverse group of experienced clinicians from across Europe and beyond.

Eligibility Criteria 

To ensure a high-quality and diverse panel (minimum 20 active voters), applicants should:

• Have at least 10 years of clinical experience (10 years since graduation from Medical School), preferably in stroke medicine or a related neurological or interdisciplinary field. The same requirement of 10 years of experience after graduation also applies to voting members of the ESO Guidelines MWGs (Module Working Groups).

• Possess recognised expertise relevant to the White Paper’s clinical topic.

• Be willing to participate in approximately 2-4 rounds of online voting over a defined period.

• Commit to providing thoughtful, constructive feedback reflecting current best clinical practice.

We particularly welcome applications from a broad range of clinical backgrounds, geographic regions, and career stages to ensure a balanced representation. Participation is voluntary, not reimbursed and does not confer authorship.

Why Participate? 

Serving as a Delphi panellist contributes directly to shaping high-quality, internationally visible clinical guidance. Your input will:

• Help fill evidence gaps where clinicians urgently require structured recommendations.

• Ensure the guidance reflects diverse professional viewpoints, clinical realities, and practical considerations across Europe.

• Strengthen the credibility, transparency, and applicability of the final White Paper.

All Delphi panel members will be acknowledged in supplementary materials accompanying the published White Paper.

How to Apply

Interested individuals are invited to submit:

• A brief expression of interest,

• A CV in English,

• A short description of clinical background and expertise,

• Contact information and institutional affiliation.

Please send your application to guidelines@eso-stroke.org by 28 January 2026.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to ESO’s impactful work and shape the future of stroke care.

We strongly encourage you to consider applying.

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