scholarly journals How is defensive medicine understood and experienced in a primary care setting? A qualitative focus group study among Danish general practitioners

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. e019851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Assing Hvidt ◽  
Jesper Lykkegaard ◽  
Line Bjørnskov Pedersen ◽  
Kjeld Møller Pedersen ◽  
Anders Munck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Progressive Increase ◽  
Risk Tolerance ◽  
Defensive Medicine ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Hermeneutic Phenomenological ◽  
Group Interviews

ObjectivesRecent years have witnessed a progressive increase in defensive medicine (DM) in several Western welfare countries. In Danish primary and secondary care, documentation on the extent of DM is lacking. Before investigating the extent of DM, we wanted to explore how the phenomenon is understood and experienced in the context of general practice in Denmark. The objective of the study was to describe the phenomenon of DM as understood and experienced by Danish general practitioners (GPs).DesignA qualitative methodology was employed and data were generated through six focus group interviews with three to eight GPs per group (n=28) recruited from the Region of Southern Denmark. Data were analysed using a thematic content analysis inspired by a hermeneutic-phenomenological focus on understanding and meaning.ResultsDM is understood as unnecessary and meaningless medical actions, carried out mainly because of external demands that run counter to the GP’s professionalism. Several sources of pressure to act defensively were identified by the GPs: the system’s pressure to meet external regulations, demands from consumerist patients and a culture among GPs and peers of infallibility and zero-risk tolerance.ConclusionsGPs understand DM as unnecessary and meaningless actions driven by external demands instead of a focus on the patient’s problem. GPs consider defensive actions to be carried out as a result of succumbing to various sources of pressure deriving from the system, the patients, the GPs themselves and peers.

scholarly journals Complementing or conflicting? How pharmacists and physicians position the community pharmacist

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 2078
Author(s):  
Hilde Rakvaag ◽  
Gunn E. Søreide ◽  
Eivind Meland ◽  
Reidun L. Kjome
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Interprofessional Collaboration ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Positioning Theory ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Group Interviews

Background: Interprofessional collaboration between pharmacists and physicians in primary care has been linked to improved patient outcomes. How professionals position themselves and each other can shed light upon their relationship, and positioning theory can be used as a tool to better understand intergroup relations. Objectives: 1) To identify how community pharmacists position themselves, and how they are positioned by general practitioners. 2) To assess how well these positions correspond, how the positions align with a proactive position for the pharmacists, and discuss how the positions could potentially impact collaboration. Methods: In this qualitative study, data were collected through six focus group interviews held between June and October 2019, three with pharmacists and three with physicians. The focus group interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Data were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the Systematic text condensation method. Positioning theory was used as a theoretical framework to identify the positions assigned to community pharmacists by the pharmacists themselves and by the physicians. Results: Twelve pharmacists and ten physicians participated. The pharmacists positioned themselves as the “last line of defense”, “bridge-builders”, “outsiders” – with responsibility, but with a lack of information and authority – and “practical problem solvers”. The physicians positioned pharmacists as “a useful checkpoint”, “non-clinicians” and “unknown”. Conclusions: The study revealed both commonalities and disagreements in how community pharmacists position themselves and are positioned by general practitioners. Few of the positions assigned to pharmacists by the physicians support an active role for the pharmacists, while the pharmacists´ positioning of themselves is more diverse. The physicians´ positioning of pharmacists as an unknown group represents a major challenge for collaboration. Increasing the two professions´ knowledge of each other may help produce new positions that are more coordinated, and thus more supportive towards collaboration.

scholarly journals What do general practitioners think about an online self-regulation programme for health promotion? Focus group interviews

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolien Plaete ◽  
Geert Crombez ◽  
Ann DeSmet ◽  
Myriam Deveugele ◽  
Maïté Verloigne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Promotion Focus ◽  
Group Interviews

scholarly journals Strengthening research integrity: which topic areas should organisations focus on?

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mads P. Sørensen ◽  
Tine Ravn ◽  
Ana Marušić ◽  
Andrea Reyes Elizondo ◽  
Panagiotis Kavouras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Medical Science ◽  
Research Integrity ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Technical Science ◽  
Scientific Fraud ◽  
Questionable Research Practices ◽  
Group Interviews

AbstractThe widespread problems with scientific fraud, questionable research practices, and the reliability of scientific results have led to an increased focus on research integrity (RI). International organisations and networks have been established, declarations have been issued, and codes of conducts have been formed. The abstract principles of these documents are now also being translated into concrete topic areas that Research Performing organisations (RPOs) and Research Funding organisations (RFOs) should focus on. However, so far, we know very little about disciplinary differences in the need for RI support from RPOs and RFOs. The paper attempts to fill this knowledge gap. It reports on a comprehensive focus group study with 30 focus group interviews carried out in eight different countries across Europe focusing on the following research question: “Which RI topics would researchers and stakeholders from the four main areas of research (humanities, social science, natural science incl. technical science, and medical science incl. biomedicine) prioritise for RPOs and RFOs?” The paper reports on the results of these focus group interviews and gives an overview of the priorities of the four main areas of research. The paper ends with six policy recommendations and a reflection on how the results of the study can be used in RPOs and RFOs.

Making Research More Ethical for Adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

2019 ◽  
pp. 173-184
Author(s):  
John Aspler
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Alcohol Exposure ◽  
In Utero ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Fetal Alcohol ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

In this chapter, the author reflects on challenges associated with conducting focus group interviews with adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)—a complex neurodevelopmental disability caused by alcohol exposure in utero. Given the heterogeneity of this diagnosis, people with FASD have different strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, for effective and ethical research inclusion, each person with FASD may need unique accommodations, which can help to both minimize concerns about unjust research exclusion and mitigate sources of vulnerability. To explore these issues, the author describes the focus group study, presents anticipated risks and challenges, explores critical stakeholder feedback, and addresses ethical tensions arising from the resulting protocol adjustments. This chapter demonstrates the importance of researchers remaining open to criticism and being willing to work through their moral discomfort.

scholarly journals Coping Processes of Patients with Ostomies in South Korea: A Focus Group Study

Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Heesook Son ◽  
Youngmi Kang
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Coping Process ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Data Saturation ◽  
Negative Coping ◽  
Group Interviews

Despite the adverse effects of negative coping after receiving a stoma, there is a lack of information on how patients cope with ostomies and on their families’ experiences throughout the coping process. We aimed to explore the coping experiences of individuals with ostomies throughout their illness, applying the Corbin and Strauss Chronic Illness Trajectory Framework, using exploratory qualitative methods involving focus group interviews. Purposive sampling was utilized to recruit 19 participants (split across three groups) through an ostomy association in South Korea. Two focus group interviews were separately conducted from March through to May 2017 until data saturation was achieved. Using qualitative content analysis, we analyzed the transcribed interviews and identified words and themes to interpret the results. The coping experiences of patients with ostomies were expressed through three interrelated themes: struggling and suffering, learning how to live with ostomy, and living with ostomy. We found gender differences in spousal support and a struggle among older patients regarding social coping. The themes identified suggest that gender should be considered when designing interventions to help patients cope with ostomies.

scholarly journals Healthcare professionals’ experience of using in situ simulation training in preparation for the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative focus group study from a Danish hospital

BMJ Open ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. e056599
Author(s):  
Joachim Juelsgaard ◽  
Bo Løfgren ◽  
Neel Toxvig ◽  
Gitte Valsted Eriksen ◽  
Lotte Ebdrup ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Educational Activity ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
In Situ Simulation ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Simulation Task

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic forced hospital organisation and healthcare professionals to prepare for large quantities of patients in isolation rooms. In situ simulation may seem promising in order to manage the organisational changes that the pandemic require. This study aims to investigate in situ simulations influence on healthcare professional’s self-perceived preparedness to face the pandemic.DesignA qualitative focus group study.SettingWe conducted full scale in situ simulations over a 3-week period in April 2020, including 277 healthcare professionals, at a Danish University Hospital. Subsequently, six semistructured focus group interviews, including 22 participants from the simulations, were conducted in May 2020.Participants22 healthcare professionals participated in the focus group interviews.MethodsThe simulations consisted of a briefing, two scenarios focusing on acute respiratory insufficiency and correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and a debriefing. We conducted six focus group interviews using comparable semistructured interview guides focusing on the organisational restructuring of the departments and outcomes of the needs-driven simulation-based programme. We used thematic analysis to identify main themes.ResultsThe informants perceived that the simulations resulted in positive experiences for the healthcare professionals and perceived the organisational changes as effective. They highlighted that simulation enhanced teamwork, demystified the COVID-19 disease, and improved skills, in correct use of PPE and acute treatment of COVID-19 patients. Data revealed that a predefined simulation task force including both experienced simulators and medical experts for facilitation of in situ simulation would be beneficial.ConclusionIn situ simulation may be useful to enhance learning on organisation and individual level during a pandemic. This educational activity could serve an important role in facilitating hospital preparation and education of large numbers of healthcare professionals during a healthcare crisis. Introduction of a simulation task force is suggested to handle coordination and rapid enrolment across the hospital.

scholarly journals Attitudes and Perspectives of Older Adults on Technologies for Assessing Frailty in Home Settings: A Focus Group Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Bian ◽  
Bing Ye ◽  
Anna Hoonakker ◽  
Alex Mihailidis
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Consumer Involvement ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes And Perceptions ◽  
Group Interviews

Abstract Background The rapid development of technology such as sensors and artificial intelligence in recent years enables monitoring frailty criteria to assess frailty early and accurately from a remote location such as a home. However, research shows technologies being abandoned or rejected by users due to a lack of compatibility and consumer involvement with the technologies. This study aims to understand older adult’s perceptions and preferences of technologies that can be potentially used to assess frailty in home settings. Methods This study is a qualitative study in which data were collected through focus group interviews. We recruited 15 older participants. Questions were asked to achieve the goal of understanding their attitudes on the technologies. These questions include 1) the concerns or barriers of installing and using the presented technology in daily life at home, 2) the reasons participants like or dislike a particular technology, 3) what makes a particular technology more acceptable, and 4) participants’ preferences in choosing technologies. Data were transcribed, coded and categorized, and finally synthesized to understand the attitudes towards presented technologies.Results A total of 15 older adults aged 65 and older were recruited. Three focus group sessions were conducted with five participants in each session. In the findings, the attitudes and perspectives of participants on the technologies for assessing frailty were presented in four areas: A) general attitude towards using the technologies, B) concerns about the technologies, C) existing living habits or patterns related to using the technologies, and D) constructive suggestions related to the technologies.Conclusions This study focuses on understanding the attitudes and perceptions of older adults on several technologies that could potentially be used to assess frailty in home settings. Participants generally have positive attitudes towards allowing the technologies to be installed and used at their home. Some technologies were found to be more acceptable if used under certain conditions. However, questions and concerns still remain. The study also found the living habits or patterns of older adults could affect the design and use of technology. Lastly, many valuable suggestions have been made by participants.

scholarly journals Experiences of interventions and rehabilitation activities in connection with return-to-work from a gender perspective. A focus group study among employees on sick leave for common mental disorders

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0253049
Author(s):  
Lotta Nybergh ◽  
Gunnar Bergström ◽  
Irene Jensen ◽  
Therese Hellman
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Main Category ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Group Interviews

Background Common mental disorders present the main reason for registered sick leave in Sweden today, and women are at a higher risk of such sick leave than men. The aim of this paper is to explore how employees on sick leave for common mental disorders experience interventions and rehabilitation activities during return-to-work, as well as to explore similarities and differences between the experiences of the interviewed women and men. Material and methods A qualitative design was applied with semi-structured focus group interviews. Seven focus groups were conducted with a total of 28 participants (13 women and 15 men). The focus group discussions were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim, and data analyzed with conventional content analysis. Similarities and differences in the women’s and men’s experiences were written down in reflective notes during all steps of the analysis. Results The results comprise of one main category, “To be met with respect and recognition”, and subcategories at two levels. Both similarities and differences emerged in how women and men sick-listed because of common mental disorders experienced return-to-work interventions and rehabilitation activities. It was important for both women and men to be met with respect and recognition, which was essential to all forms of help that the participants discussed during the focus group interviews. Women expressed a need for home-related interventions, whereas men expressed a need for organizational interventions to counter feelings of resignation at work. Women could also more easily understand their mental health condition as compared with men. Conclusion A key implication of this study is that research on interventions and rehabilitation activities during return-to-work among employees on sick leave for common mental disorders should consider whether the findings are relevant equally to both women and men. Similarly, return-to-work professionals may need to consider possible differences among women and men on sick leave for common mental disorders, and to further customize offered interventions and rehabilitation activities. Doing so may help enhance the effectiveness of such interventions.

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