Panelists' views of 68 NIH consensus conference.

OBJECTIVES To analyze the response patterns and trends of 68 surveys of successive NIH consensus panels' views on the NIH consensus process. METHODS Each panel's responses were compared to an "average" panel's responses calculated by determining the mean response for each survey question across panels. RESULTS The results show a stable pattern of panelists' generally positive views. However, several conferences were judged very positively and some very negatively compared to the norm. Most negatively viewed conferences occurred early in the consensus program's history. CONCLUSIONS The disparate perceptions are discussed and interpreted as reflecting favorable panels' views of recent changes in the NIH Consensus Development Program.