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Fulltext Focus group discussion: a tool for health and medical research

Wong LP

Singapore Med J, 2008 Mar;49(3):256-60; quiz 261.
PMID: 18363011

Focus group discussion is a research methodology in which a small group of participants gather to discuss a specified topic or an issue to generate data. The main characteristic of a focus group is the interaction between the moderator and the group, as well as the interaction between group members. The objective is to give the researcher an understanding of the participants' perspective on the topic in discussion. Focus groups are rapidly gaining popularity in health and medical research. This paper presents a general introduction of the use of focus groups as a research tool within the context of health research, with the intention of promoting its use among researchers in healthcare. A detailed methodology for the conduct of focus groups and analysis of focus group data are discussed. The potentials and limitations of this qualitative research technique are also highlighted.

Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups/methods*
Qualitative experiences of breast cancer survivors on a self-management intervention: 2-year post-intervention

Loh SY, Ong L, Ng LL, Chew SL, Lee SY, Boniface G

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2011;12(6):1489-95.
PMID: 22126487

BACKGROUND: Increasing survivorship warrants evidence-based intervention to help women manage living effectively with breast cancer. Breast cancer survivors may have many medical and psychosocial issues in the post- treatment period. Qualitative research was carried out to assess survivors' overall experience and if intervention helps in survivorship care. This paper reports exploration of benefit-findings from participation in an earlier 4-week self management intervention.
METHODS: We used a grounded theory approach to analyze three focus groups conducted between May and August 2010 in Kuala Lumpur. We used random sampling to recruit the informants (n=21), all of whom had earlier participated in the 4 week self-management program held two years previously.
FINDINGS: The women reported positive experience and growth with the self management program. Self-efficacy appears as an important underlying theme for successful experiences. The lack of proactive plans to provide bereavement support to surviving women was a key negative experience.
CONCLUSION: The intervention successfully brought women together to work in close partnership with health professionals on ways to self manage the medical, emotional and role task as they live indefinitely with breast cancer, a new chronic illness. The beneficial effect from the 4 week intervention was expressed by women even at 2 years after the program. Having successfully developed a tightly knitted group, a major oversight was the lack of professional support on bereavement for grieving members when close friends passed away.

Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups/methods*
Fulltext Physical activity and women with breast cancer: insights from expert patients

Loh SY, Chew SL, Lee SY

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2011;12(1):87-94.
PMID: 21517237

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity participation amongst cancer survivors is low. This potent modifiable host factor has been disregarded in the cancer treatment plan for decades, despite its role in cancer control. The purpose of this study was to explore perception of physical activity among women with breast cancer.
METHODS: Focus group with purposive sampling methods were conducted on women at different cancer trajectory - ie. completed treatment (n = 6) and undergoing treatment (n = 8). The taped discussions were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Concepts were identified as unique or shared between the two groups, and ordered into subcategories.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Three key categories on barriers to exercise; facilitator/motivator towards exercise; and myths around exercise were highlighted. There were more myths and reservations about physical activity in the UT (undergoing treatment) group, than in the CT (completed-treatment) group. Facilitators included positive experience from physical activity engagement, easy-access to facility, and good social support.
CONCLUSIONS: Although both groups expressed difficulties in engaging in physical activity, the newly diagnosed have more negative perception of physical activity engagement. Both groups did not note the significant role of physical activity and cancer prevention/ recurrence, which is a key strategy to promote the uptake of exercise and acceptance of active lifestyle for cancer survivors. Health care clinicians like occupational therapists need to play greater public health role in educating and counseling lifestyle redesign for survivors living with cancer.

Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups/methods
Fulltext Perceptions and opinions towards skin cancer prevention in Malaysia: a qualitative approach

Al-Naggar RA, Al-Naggar TH, Bobryshev YV

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2011;12(4):995-9.
PMID: 21790240

INTRODUCTION: Malignant melanoma in particular is one of the few remaining cancers with an increasing incidence.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to explore the perceptions and opinions of young Malaysians towards skin cancer prevention.

METHODOLOGY: Focus group discussions were conducted among 33 medical science students from Management and Science University (MSU), Shah Alam, Malaysia, using convenience sampling. Students were divided into 4 focus groups consisting of 8, 8, 9 and 8 students respectively. The facilitator wrote down the conversations and data obtained were classified into various categories and analyzed manually.

RESULTS: The majority of the participants mentioned that overexposure to ultraviolet light is the commonest cause of skin cancer but also that the most benefit we get from sun ight is vitamin D synthesis. The majority mentioned that the best prevention measure for skin cancer is using a sunscreen, followed by limit exposure to the sun.

CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated there is a lack of knowledge regarding screening methods and prevention measures of skin cancer. Therefore, there is a need to establish health education unit in all universities to educate all university students regarding various health problems including skin cancer prevention.

Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups/methods