Ann Occup Environ Med.  2026 Jan;38(1):e2. 10.35371/aoem.2026.38.e2.

Development of criteria for health examination of high-risk occupational groups and application to female fishers: Delphi study

• Kim Hm
• Kim J
• Kim K
• Song H

• KMID: 2576178
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2026.38.e2

Abstract

Background
The objective of this study was to establish criteria for designing health examination programs and selecting appropriate examination items for high-risk occupational groups and to apply these criteria specifically to female fishers.
Methods
The first Delphi survey comprised five domains and 15 specific criteria for identifying relevant health screening items for high-risk occupations. The second survey included open-ended questions addressing inconsistencies identified in the first survey and sought suggestions for additional items. In the third Delphi survey, specific health screening items were proposed for female fishers, and experts directly evaluated these items according to the finalized selection criteria.
Results
Twenty-eight experts participated in this study. The first and second Delphi rounds facilitated the finalization of selection criteria for health screening items, consisting of five domains: Domain 1, Priority of target disease; Domain 2, Applicability of early detection and intervention; Domain 3, Scientific evidence of medical test method; Domain 4, Acceptability of medical test method; and Domain 5, Effectiveness of examination. Content validity ratios for these criteria ranged between 0.429 and 1.000. Based on the established criteria, experts evaluated eight proposed screening items for female fishers in the third round of the Delphi survey. Bone density, bioelectrical impedance analysis, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and fundoscopy were evaluated as appropriate; however, no agreement was reached on the early detection and intervention areas for degenerative lumbar disease, knee osteoarthritis, and upper extremity disease, as well as on the effectiveness for upper extremity disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Conclusion
This study successfully established comprehensive criteria for selecting diseases targeted by health examinations in high-risk occupational groups. The practical application of these criteria proved effective in assessing the appropriateness of specific health screening items.

Keyword

Delphi technique; Health examination; Fisheries; Occupational health; Public health surveillance