Beyond Focus Groups? The Use of Group Discussion Methods in Participatory Design

Abstract Objectives To determine the face validity of the survey instrument, Düsseldorf Orthorexie Scale (DOS), in adolescents aged 14–17 years. The DOS has been validated for use in adults to identify individuals at-risk for symptoms and behaviors consistent with the condition of Orthorexia Nervosa (ON). This condition is characterized by a pathological obsession with healthy or “clean” eating which leads to psychological and physical impairment. Methods Researchers conducted seven focus groups with male and female students currently enrolled in a high school health class (n = 40; 11 males, 29 females aged 14–17). Participants first completed the DOS scale and then were asked to participate in a group discussion regarding their understanding of the meaning of the questions in the DOS survey. Focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded to identify recurring themes. Codes for each of the 10 questions in the DOS scale were analyzed to determine group understanding of key words identified for each question. Results Key words in the original DOS survey questions were in agreement with the codes identified from the transcript of the focus groups for eight of the 10 DOS survey questions. The key words in the other two questions (indulgence in question one and colleague in question seven) were either not understood by focus group population or would need to be altered due to incorrect or inadequate understanding by focus group participants. 38 participants completed the DOS (M = 18.5, SD = 4.88). 7.9% of participants DOS responses indicated they were at moderate (n = 2) or high (n = 1) risk of practicing orthorexic behavior. Conclusions The DOS scale demonstrated good face validity in an adolescent population and the modification of two questions may improve its face validity. Though our sample was small, results indicate that a sizeable proportion of adolescents may already be practicing orthorexic behaviors. This demonstrates a need for further research to be conducted on effective prevention and intervention strategies for this age group. Funding Sources The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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Identifying and understanding how to address the gaps in care experienced by adolescent and young adult cancer patients at UIHC.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2017.35.15_suppl.e18238 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e18238-e18238

Author(s):

Erin Michele Mobley ◽

Kristin Foster ◽

William W. Terry

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Focus Group Discussion ◽

Group Discussion ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Adolescent And Young Adult ◽

Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Services Research ◽

Survey Questions

e18238 Background: Cancer survival rates for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) have not improved at the same rate as other age groups. According to the National Cancer Institute, these patients may fall into a gap between pediatric and adult practices. In an effort to counteract the decreased survival rates of AYAs, the Stead Family Children’s Hospital and the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center joined forces to develop an AYA cancer program at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Methods: The target population included patients aged 13-31 treated for malignancy in one of the following diseases or disease sites: central nervous system, leukemia, lymphoma, neuroendocrine, sarcoma, thyroid, and other. Four focus groups were held to identify and describe gaps in care, as well as provide suggestions for program development. A convergent-parallel mixed-methods design was used. Qualitative data were derived from focus group discussion and selected free-response survey questions, while quantitative data were derived from objective survey questions. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted to gain targeted feedback from participants. Results: Across the four focus groups, the number of participants ranged from 8 – 19 (n = 24). Topics discussed included: communication, treatment experience, overall AYA program; finances, work, school, late effects; relationships, emotions, spirituality; and body image, infertility, sexuality, risky behavior, and suicide. The results of the analyses found three unique domains that are important to AYAs across the cancer continuum: autonomy, communication, and relationships. The three primary domains make the AYA population different from traditional adult or pediatric populations. The surveys corroborated the focus group discussion findings. Conclusions: Information obtained from these analyses have been used to inform specific projects within the development of the AYA program to address patient-identified gaps. For AYAs, the importance of autonomy, communication, and relationships should be considered when developing an AYA program, as well as for potential policy or health services research utilization in the future.

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Communication lapses and navigation needs for non-English-speaking patients: An MSK Patient and Family Advisory Council and Immigrant Health and Cancer Disparities initiative.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2018.36.30_suppl.178 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 (30_suppl) ◽

pp. 178-178

Author(s):

Kate Southworth Niehaus ◽

Julia Ramirez ◽

Javier Gonzalez ◽

Frank Licciardi ◽

Alexander Zimmer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Patient Experience ◽

Immigrant Health ◽

Group Discussion ◽

Cancer Disparities ◽

Advisory Council ◽

Vulnerable Patient ◽

English Speaking ◽

Communication Needs ◽

Communication Breakdowns

178 Background: In 2017, 5,939 outpatients (5%) and 1,065 inpatients (9%) treated at MSK were non-English-speaking. Given the new and varying treatment paradigms combined with the need to consider clinical trial enrollment, there are increasingly complex communication needs. We sought to address the needs of this vulnerable patient population. Methods: Patient Family Advisory Council in collaboration with the Immigrant Health & Cancer Disparities Service conducted focus groups to determine needs of non-English speaking patients treated at MSKCC. Mass emails were sent out to the MSK attendings and nurses to recommend appropriate patients to participate. A coordinator called all those patients and invited them to the focus groups. A trained bilingual moderator led each 120-minute group discussion using an interview guide. Results: Three focus groups were conducted : 2 in Spanish and 1 in Russian. Questions related to communication, patient experience and support services were asked to the patient volunteers. In total, 10 patients and 4 caregivers participated. Across all 3 focus groups, three major themes emerged: (1) inadequate communication, participants brought up examples of communication breakdowns (2) access to resources and information, participants expressed that there was a substantial need for accessible, competent, and social support/navigation services and (3) MSK patient experience, participants discussed interactions with doctors, nurses, and staff. Conclusions: Non-English-speaking patients and family members not only deal have to deal with the fear of a cancer diagnosis but also lack the ability to comfortably communicate their concerns. Programs to empower patients and their families to ask for help and advocate for themselves are desperately needed. Additionally, navigation services are needed to provide assistance in making the appropriate linkages for the services required. This qualitative research at MSK is ongoing.

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An Examination of the Therapeutic Benefits of Focus Groups on Elderly Worriers

The International Journal of Aging and Human Development ◽

10.2190/5ghq-qfwr-jvyj-tnhp ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 159-167 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Charles B. Powers ◽

Patricia A. Wisocki

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Group Discussion ◽

Psychological Symptom ◽

The Elderly ◽

Therapeutic Effectiveness ◽

Criterion Variable ◽

Therapeutic Benefits ◽

Symptom Domains ◽

Group Experience

This study examines the effects on elderly worriers, of a focus group discussion about the topic of worry. All subjects ( N = 21) were self-designated worriers, and at least seventy years of age. Pretest and Posttest measures included questionnaires on worry, life satisfaction, and psychological symptom domains unrelated to the focus group topic. The percentage of the day spent worrying variable, which was the criterion variable for admittance into the groups, showed a significant reduction from pre to post. The focus group participants also evaluated the focus group experience as positive and beneficial. The value of focus groups for therapeutic effectiveness and data collection with the elderly are discussed.

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‘Wasting time inside my mind’: Exploring student pharmacists’ perspectives on engaging in mindfulness oriented meditation using concepts from education research

Pharmacy Education ◽

10.46542/pe.2020.201.204214 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 204-214

Author(s):

Logan T Murry ◽

Matthew J Witry

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Student Perceptions ◽

Group Discussion ◽

Phenomenological Approach ◽

The United States ◽

Pharmacy Students ◽

General Interest ◽

First Year ◽

Managing Stress ◽

Pharmacy Curriculum

Background: Pharmacy students are subject to high levels of stress. An emerging way student pharmacists and pharmacists have reported managing stress and developing professional resilience is through mindfulness. Objectives: To 1) describe how student pharmacists appraise the threat of stress; and 2) identify student perceptions of mindfulness-oriented meditation (MOM) as a stress management strategy and how MOM may fit in the pharmacy curriculum. Methods: A descriptive qualitative research study was conducted using focus groups comprised of first-year, second-year, and third- year pharmacy students at a college of pharmacy within the United States. A facilitation guide based on the study objectives was designed to guide focus group discussion and a basic interpretivist paradigm was used to underpin a phenomenological approach to interpreting the data. Representative quotes were identified by the authors to illustrate the main concepts from the focus groups. Results: In total, fourteen students participated across the three class-year focus groups. Students expressed a general interest in mindfulness, but their interest conflicted with feelings of business and time-constraints. Offering a certificate or other tangible reward made engaging in mindfulness and MOM more appealing. Conclusions: The concepts of the student’s academic perspective and learning motivation appear to influence mindfulness interest and reasons for participation. Colleges may need to change their criteria for judgment for wellness initiatives like MOM to be more widely adopted.

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Motivations, experiences and aspirations of Trainee Nursing Associates in England. A qualitative study

10.21203/rs.2.15803/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Rachel Louise King ◽

Emily Wood ◽

Steve Robertson ◽

Tony Ryan ◽

Angela Tod

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Personal Development ◽

Group Discussion ◽

Policy And Practice ◽

The North ◽

Previous State ◽

Academic Workload ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: The nursing associate role was developed in England in response to the ‘Shape of Caring’ review. It has been implemented to fulfil two aims; to bridge the gap between registered nurses and healthcare assistants, and to provide an alternative route into registered nursing in light of workforce shortages. Other high income countries deploy second level nurses within their healthcare systems, however the UK has a turbulent history with such roles. The previous state enrolled nurse was phased out in the 1990s, and more recently the assistant practitioner (AP) role has faced wide variation in titles, scope and pay. Little is known about those who have embarked on the new nursing associate training course and their experiences of the role. Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was undertaken using focus groups of trainee nursing associates to generate in-depth discussion about their motivations, experiences of training, and career aspirations.Three focus groups (n=15) took place in December 2018 using a purposive sample of trainee nursing associates registered at a University in the North of England. Two researchers facilitated each group discussion at a time and place convenient for participants. The discussions were audio recorded, transcribed and data was analysed thematically.Results: This study found that trainee nursing associates are motivated by affordable, local, career development. During training they face challenges relating to clinical support, academic workload and uncertainty about future career opportunities. They experience role ambiguity both individually and across the wider organisation. Trainee nursing associates rely on broad support networks to build their occupational identity.Conclusions: The barriers and facilitators of trainee nursing associate personal development have implications for policy and practice relating to recruitment and retention. The results increase our understanding of this emerging role, and have informed the development of a larger longitudinal cohort study. Further research is required to evaluate the impact of this new role.

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‘It all dials back to safety’: A qualitative study of social and economic vulnerabilities among transgender women participating in HIV research in the USA

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029852 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. e029852

Author(s):

Sari L Reisner ◽

Aeysha Chaudhry ◽

Erin Cooney ◽

Henri Garrison-Desany ◽

Elisa Juarez-Chavez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Hiv Infection ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Group Discussion ◽

Research Participation ◽

Transgender Women ◽

Future Research ◽

Wide Range ◽

The Usa ◽

Hiv Research

ObjectivesTransgender women (TW) are highly burdened by HIV infection in the USA. Research is needed into drivers of the HIV epidemic for TW, including longitudinal studies to identify risks for incident HIV infection and optimal intervention targets. This formative research sought to understand TW’s experiences with, perceptions of and barriers and facilitators to HIV research participation to inform future research implementation.DesignBetween August 2017 and January 2018, five online synchronous computer-mediated focus groups were conducted in English and two in Spanish. Recruitment used a mixed format of technology, such as geotargeted social media, and non-technology infused methods, such as peer referrals. Maximum variation sampling was used to enrol participants across a wide range of characteristics. Qualitative codes were iteratively developed and applied to focus group discussion transcripts by independent analysts.SettingParticipants were recruited from Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Miami, New York City and Washington D.C.ParticipantsParticipants identified as TW≥18 years and resided in one of the six metropolitan areas or outlying regions. 33 participants elected to partake in English focus groups and eight participated in Spanish-led groups.ResultsThe geographically diverse sample had a mean age of 41.1 years (SD=13.6), and 34% identified as Black African American and 29% as Hispanic/Latina. Social and economic factors were found to shape HIV research participation for TW. Barriers to HIV research participation included limited research opportunities, mistrust, fear of mistreatment, safety and confidentiality, competing priorities and HIV stigma. Facilitators to HIV research participation were peer involvement and engagement, monetary and non-monetary incentives, flexibility and choices, multiple modalities and methods, and transcenteredness.ConclusionIt is critical to address the social and economic vulnerabilities surrounding HIV research participation for TW. Results from this study can inform the design and implementation of gender-affirming and culturally tailored approaches to HIV research with TW.

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FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION: A TOOL FOR QUALITATIVE INQUIRY

Researcher A Research Journal of Culture and Society ◽

10.3126/researcher.v3i3.21553 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 81-88

Author(s):

Hom Bahadur Basnet

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Focus Group Discussion ◽

Group Discussion ◽

Social Process ◽

Qualitative Inquiry ◽

Theory Building ◽

Qualitative Information ◽

Research Journal ◽

Field Setting

This article focused on to explore the concept, use, strengths and weakness of focus groups discussion. It also provides the ideas about searching qualitative information in field setting. This tool has the potential to become a central approach in sociological and educational research, whether focused on the pragmatic end of evaluation or the abstract goal of theory building. Moreover, focus group discussion is an efficient and effective way to gain insights into social process. During focus group discussion, the moderator facilitates all informants in active participation and dig out the richer information.Researcher: A Research Journal of Culture and Society Vol. 3, No. 3, January 2018, Page: 81-88

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Focus Groups and Group Discussion

Key Concepts in Ethnography ◽

10.4135/9781446268308.n14 ◽

2014 ◽

pp. 78-81

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Group Discussion

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Texting the waters: An assessment of focus groups conducted via the WhatsApp smartphone messaging application

Methodological Innovations ◽

10.1177/2059799119884276 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 205979911988427 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Julienne Chen ◽

Pearlyn Neo

Keyword(s):

Social Sciences ◽

Qualitative Research ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Research Method ◽

Group Discussion ◽

Digital Technologies ◽

Group Level ◽

The Social ◽

Computer Based ◽

Online Format

Focus groups are a well-used research method in the social sciences. Typically, they are conducted in person to generate research insights through group discussion and interaction. As digital technologies advance, there have been efforts to consider how to conduct focus groups in an online format, often using computer-based tools such as email, chat and videoconferencing. In this article, we test the potential of smartphone-based mobile messaging as a new method to elicit group-level insights. Based on empirical analysis and comparison of in-person and WhatsApp group chat focus groups conducted in Singapore, we find that WhatsApp group chat does have the potential to generate well-elaborated responses and group interaction, particularly among younger, digitally fluent participants. However, the quantity and richness of the conversation still do not match that of the in-person focus groups, and further innovation may be needed to improve mobile messaging as a qualitative research method.

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