Consensus And Norms for Medical Visualization Academic Standards Study - A Modified Delphi Study

The goal of this observational study (modified Delphi consensus study) is to establish an international expert consensus on professional standards for medical visualization in medical visualization experts from from around the world, each with a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience. The specific objectives are: 1. to develop and validate core consensus statements on professional standards for medical visualization (consensus threshold ≥75%). 2. to quantify the distribution of divergence in professional opinion. Participants will: Fill out a short background survey about their job title, training, work setting, location, and experience with AI image tools. Rate 10 statements about medical visualization standards on a scale from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). These statements cover three topics: accuracy, accessibility, and ethics. Participants will complete up to 3 rounds of anonymous online surveys. Write comments to explain why they disagree with any statement they rate 1 or 2. Between rounds, review a summary showing their own earlier ratings and the group's overall results (with no names attached). Then, re-rate any statements the group has not yet agreed on.

Experts were invited from medical illustration training programs or professional associations worldwide. Inclusion criteria required that invitees meet at least one of the following conditions: Inclusion Criteria: * Current faculty or staff at one of the accredited degree-granting institutions in medical and scientific illustration * Current member of a nationally/regionally recognized medical illustration association * Holder of the Certified Medical Illustrator (CMI) credential issued by the Board of Certification of Medical Illustrators * Current visualization editor or supervisor at a high-impact medical journal. * Required to possess at least five years of professional experience in medical visualization or a related discipline * Willing to complete the Delphi questionnaire, having provided informed consent prior to questionnaire commencement. Exclusion Criteria: * Prior participation in the focus group or validity assessment stages of this study's initial questionnaire development * Direct financial interest in commercial AI medical imaging products or related services * Inability to complete the questionnaire in the designated language (English) in the absence of a corresponding language version. Individuals meeting any of the above criteria were excluded to preserve the independence of the consensus process.