[The use of the Delphi technique for competencies investigation: an experience report].

The Delphi technique has been used in nursing research, with electronic means as an option. This article has the objective of reporting researchers' experience on the application of this technique in a study about nurses' competencies for the performance of Essential Public Health Functions. Experts were searched on the Lattes Platform of the National Council of Scientific and Technologic Development (CNPq) in Brazil. Two groups with 50 participants each, one with nurses and other with faculty with representation of every geographic region of the country were organized. The competencies validation instrument was sent by electronic means. Although it is reported that this form reduces the time for sending and receiving the questionnaires, difficulties to obtain contact with the experts, lack of return of the participants and a long time to answer the instrument were observed. Health care professionals need to understand the importance of their participation in researches with the utilization of this technique.