3.6 Involving people: Focus groups

This is the first of four pages looking at methods you can use to involve people in the process of setting up and using information prescriptions.

What are focus groups?

Focus groups offer a semi-structured way of engaging a group of people in facilitated discussion about a particular issue.^[1] The facilitator usually devises and follows a topic guide which informs the structure of the group. Find an example of a topic guide here. The group is usually recorded, or has a note-taker, who will capture the detail of the discussion. Typically, focus groups involve between eight and twelve participants and last between one and two hours.

Why use this method?

Focus groups can:

• offer people the opportunity to hear views that they would not otherwise hear, triggering their own thinking on the issue as a result ^[2]
• provide researchers with an understanding of the perceived priority areas ^[3]
• highlight to researchers some of the key issues that it would be helpful to explore further.

When?

Focus groups may be useful in the following stages of the IP process:

• Scoping and/or preparation – you may wish to convene a group of local stakeholders, including patient/public representatives and/or different professionals, in order to identify areas where IP would be of most use and/or where information is most lacking in relation to the condition in question.
• Ongoing development – focus groups are useful for giving high-level answers to broad questions and could inform the ongoing, high-level strategic planning of your IP project.

Things to consider

Given their typical format, focus groups can:

• be limited by time constraints and/or the number of people present
• be difficult for some people who do not like or feel able to express themselves in a group setting
• require some time investment in respect of identifying, convening and organising a suitable time for relevant stakeholders. You may wish to consider working with existing groups to source participants, e.g. user groups or patient panels.

Next page: workshops