(Example of the invitation letter inviting experts for Delphi study)

To …..[name]
[address]

Dear [Ms/Mr/Dr/Prof …..],

We would like to invite you as an expert in the field of health care for people living with
HIV/AIDS in … [fill in your country] to participate in a European Delphi process. The aim of
the study is to recognise experts’ opinions on needs, barriers and relevant solutions in the area
of mental health care for people living with HIV/AIDS.

We realise that the professionals we are approaching are extremely busy in their respective
fields, but because of the important input you can bring to the project we hope that you will
agree to participate in it. In practical terms, we would require no more than two hours of your
time, spread out over to three separate occasions.

We are the … [your nationality] partner in project MAIDS (Mental Health and HIV/AIDS),
financed by the European Commission and conducted in 10 “new” EU countries.

Each country participating in the project will invite about 12 experts from health care and
metal health care for people living with HIV/AIDS, non-governmental organizations,
academic centres and public institutions to participate in a Delphi process to reach a national
consensus on issues of the study.

The Delphi Process will consist of 3 rounds. Experts will send their answers by e-mail, filling
in the specially prepared forms.

This Delphi process will involve answers for three research questions (round 1), rating the
importance of all answers generated by experts in [insert your country] (round 2), reaching
consensus (round 3).

All participating experts will be acknowledged in the project report and will receive a copy of
the report that will be submitted to the European Commission.

We would appreciate your participation in this important process for policy making in
Europe. If you agree, please complete the attached form and return it by email to [email
address].

Should you wish to discuss the project or your participation in more detail please feel free to
contact me on [insert contact telephone number].

Thank you in advance for your time,

Yours sincerely,

[name MAIDS partner]

[institution MAIDS partner]
[post address MAIDS partner]