Focus Group Interview Study Research Articles

Counselling parents on young children's healthy diet: A modified scoping review.

To map and describe key information in existing research about counselling of parents of children aged 0-2years on the child's healthy diet in preventive healthcare settings, particularly in public health nursing. Many parents are likely to be concerned with their infant's food-related happiness "here and now," disregarding the child's long-term health and development related to feeding practices. Hence, a focus on counselling parents in considering young children's healthy diet is important. A modified scoping review with an inductive qualitative content analysis of selected empirical studies. Systematic searches in EMBASE (1996-2015 Week 46), Ovid Nursing Database (1946-2015 November Week 1), Ovid MEDLINE and Ovid OLDMEDLINE (2000-18 November 2015) and CINAHL (2000-22 December 2015), using search terms based on aims. Eight included studies, with participants per sample ranging from 19->500. Research designs were focus group discussions and/or interview study (n=2), cluster-randomised trials (n=2), randomised controlled trials (n=2), a follow-up interview study (n=1) to a previous randomised controlled trial and a cross-sectional electronic questionnaire study (n=1). The studies included a total sample of 2,025 participants, 42 of them in interview studies. Findings indicate parents' perceptions of inconsistency, misconceptions and uncertainty related to the recommendations on child feeding from the authorities. Thus, adapted advice could impact healthier child diet. Maternal knowledge on child feeding and reduced use of food as a reward are mediators for improved diet quality in children. Counselling on young children's healthy diet should be anticipatory, consistent and adapted to the family. Due to inconsistent recommendations and omitted focus on anticipatory counselling on child feeding, parents might perceive pressure and uncertainty related to the child's diet.

How can group-based multidisciplinary rehabilitation for patients with fibromyalgia influence patients' self-efficacy and ability to cope with their illness: a grounded theory approach.

To describe how group-based multidisciplinary rehabilitation for patients with fibromyalgia can influence patients' self-efficacy and ability to cope with their illness. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation is recommended in the management of fibromyalgia. Self-efficacy is said to influence and predict adaptive coping behaviours and functioning. However, knowledge is lacking on how rehabilitation programmes may influence self-efficacy and ability to cope, from the patients' perspective. Grounded theory study of semi-structured focus group interviews. Participants (n=17) were included in four focus groups that had completed a two-week multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme together. Interviews were conducted four weeks after each group had completed the programme. The analysis was conducted constant comparatively applying open, axial and selective coding. Categories (in italics) were derived from data in which the explanatory core category was identified: Learning to accept and live with pain as a life condition, and linked to three categories mutually influencing each other: Increased self-acceptance of living with the illness, experiencing acceptance from others and developing new coping strategies. Thus, patients benefitted from multidisciplinary rehabilitation with stronger self-efficacy and expectations to their future coping. However, limitations in the programme were identified, as the programme was short and intensive with no subsequent follow-up, and social welfare was not sufficiently addressed. Participants also found it difficult to maintain knowledge and were lacking individual sessions with the psychologist and had waited long to receive rehabilitation. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation may advantageously be offered to patients with fibromyalgia. However, earlier action with longer programmes, in which patients' social situation is addressed, comprising individual sessions with the psychologist, with multiple repetitions of the content and follow-up sessions, may further enhance the patients' self-efficacy and coping with their illness.

Characterizing Natural User Interface with Wearable Smart Watches

Background The emergence of new interaction paradigms makes the use of technology inrealizing the users’ natural ways of exploring the real world the ultimate goal of designers today.Research on interactive and immersive technologies for user interface design is still a challenging chore for engineers and scientists when it comes to designing natural interaction for wearable smart devices. To address the challenge, our study aims to develop guidelines for design practitioners in designing wearable smart watches that could offer natural user experiences. Methods To better understand natural user experiences with smart watches, an extensive literature review was conducted. A quantitative survey with 80 participants was conducted, of which the focus was on the expected functions of smart watches. Based on the survey results, we selected eight participants in terms of technology familiarity. To achieve the objectives of our research, three studies were conducted: a design workshop (Study 1), a cultural probe (Study 2), and a focus group interview (Study 3). The design workshop was created to figure out the needs and wishes people have forsmart watches. In the cultural probe, the focus was on figuring out natural interactions with smart watches. Finally, the focus group interview aimed to gain more insights from the results of the cultural probe in terms of natural user interaction with particular functions. Results To address the needs and wishes of the users toward wearable smartwatches, we made a subdivision into three categories, such as functions, input measures, and notification (feedback) methods.According to the results, participants wanted weather notification, health monitoring, and identification as expected functions. Regarding the methodof input, voice command and touch screen were preferred. In order to get feedback, most of the participantswanted vibrations, particularly as a reaction tocompleting the commands or inputs. There was also a suggestion to customize their smart watch. For example, users can select the functions and build their own command system, and even choose the notificationmethods. Considering natural user interface with respect to functions (weather, answering a call, navigation, health monitoring, taking a picture and messaging), specific natural user interfaces were mentioned for particular functions. Conclusions Throughout the study, people’s needs and wishes and their perceptions about natural interaction were identified and the characteristics of natural user interfacesweredetermined. Based on the results, tenperceptions were specifically defined to provide a better understanding of smart watches in terms of natural interaction: user affinity of form, awareness by familiarity, reality correspondence, behavioral extension, purpose orientation, easiness of performance, timeliness, routine acceptance, generality, and rule of thumb. In addition to that, natural user interfaces were categorized into five groups: user familiarity, realistic interaction, accomplishment assistance, contextual appropriateness, and social awareness. In this study,we tried to identify what constitutes anatural interaction and how it should be created. The limitations and further study are discussed at the end.

Registered Nurses' Perceptions about the Situation of Family Caregivers to Patients with Heart Failure - A Focus Group Interview Study.

IntroductionHeart failure is a growing public health problem associated with poor quality of life and significant morbidity and mortality. The majority of heart failure care is provided by family caregivers, and is associated with caregiver burden and reduced quality of life. Research emphasizes that future nursing interventions should recognize the importance of involving family caregivers to achieve optimal outcomes.AimsThe aims of this study are to explore registered nurses’ perceptions about the situation of family caregivers to patients with heart failure, and registered nurses’ interventions, in order to improve family caregivers’ situation.MethodsThe study has a qualitative design with an inductive approach. Six focus group interviews were held with 23 registered nurses in three hospitals and three primary health care centres. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.ResultsTwo content areas were identified by the a priori study aims. Four categories and nine sub-categories emerged in the analysis process. The content area “Family caregivers' situation” includes two categories: “To be unburdened” and “To comprehend the heart failure condition and its consequences”. The content area “Interventions to improve family caregivers' situation” includes two categories: “Individualized support and information” and “Bridging contact”.ConclusionsRegistered nurses perceive family caregivers' situation as burdensome, characterized by worry and uncertainty. In the PHCCs, the continuity and security of an RN as a permanent health care contact was considered an important and sustainable intervention to better care for family caregivers' worry and uncertainty. In the nurse-led heart failure clinics in hospitals, registered nurses can provide family caregivers with the opportunity of involvement in their relative's health care and address congruence and relationship quality within the family through the use of "Shared care" and or Family-centred care. Registered nurses consider it necessary to have a coordinated individual care plan as a basis for collaboration between the county council and the municipality.

How do scientists perceive the current publication culture? A qualitative focus group interview study among Dutch biomedical researchers

ObjectiveTo investigate the biomedical scientist's perception of the prevailing publication culture.DesignQualitative focus group interview study.SettingFour university medical centres in the Netherlands.ParticipantsThree randomly selected groups of biomedical scientists (PhD, postdoctoral staff...

A Focus Group Interview(FGI) Study of the Life Experiences of Adolescents Living in Rural Areas of South Korea

A Focus Group Interview(FGI) Study of the Life Experiences of Adolescents Living in Rural Areas of South Korea

ALTERNATIF STRATEGI PENINGKATAN DAYA SAING SMA KRISTEN 2 SALATIGA

<p>This research and development aims to formulate strategic plan to enhancing competitiveness in SMA Kristen 2 Salatiga. Data were gathered by means of Focus Group Discussion (FGD), interview, questionnaire, and documentation study. Fishbone analysis is used to identify the root causes of low school competitiveness. The analysis was categorized based on five factors i.e. reputation, school resources, information and technology, human resource, and partnership. Based on the analysis, the strategies are formulated with educational reengineering approach as follows: 1) reconstructing school image by improving academic and non academic achievement, 2) developing innovative curriculum based on outdoor experience and IT, 3) increasing student discipline, 4)optimizing IT usage on promotion and marketing, 5) improving the quality of school programs, 6) developing entrepreneurship programs, 7) improving the quantity and quality school infrastructures, 8) improving teachers’ skill and competence of IT, 9) enhancing the role of school board, 10) maximizing the role of parents, alumnae, and other institution to develop the school programs, and 11) establishing a vocational high school. It is recommended for the school to have cooperation with the stakeholder and the school board to implement the strategic plan so that the competitiveness will enhance in the future.</p>

Sick-listed persons’ experiences with taking part in an in-patient occupational rehabilitation program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: a qualitative focus group interview study

BackgroundOccupational medicine has shifted emphasis from disease treatment to disability rehabilitation and management. Hence, newly developed occupational rehabilitation programs are often generic and multicomponent, aiming to influence the sick-listed persons’ perception on return to work, and thereby support the return to work process. The aim of this study was to explore sick-listed persons’ experiences with taking part in an in-patient occupational rehabilitation program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.MethodsTwenty-nine adults on sickness benefit or work assessment allowance due to musculoskeletal and/or common mental health disorders participated in this study. They were interviewed in focus groups at the beginning and at the end of a 3.5 week inpatient group-based occupational rehabilitation program in Central Norway. Key elements in the program were Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), physical exercise and creating a work-participation plan. The program was mainly group-based including participants with different diagnoses. Data was analyzed according to a phenomenological approach.ResultsAt the start of the program most participants expressed frustration regarding being sick-listed, external anticipations as well as hindrances towards returning to work, and described hope that the program would provide them with the skills and techniques necessary to cope with health problems and being able to return to work. At the end of the program the participants described that they had embarked upon a long process of increased awareness. This process encompassed four areas; an increased awareness of what was important in life, realizing the strain from external expectations and demands, a need to balance different aspects of life, and return to work as part of a long and complex process.ConclusionsThe occupational rehabilitation program induced a perceived meaningful reorientation encompassing several aspects of life. However, the return to work process was described as diffuse and uncertain for most participants. The providers of occupational rehabilitation program should balance this reorientation with specific steps towards return to work. Effect studies and long-term qualitative studies evaluating how this affects long-term work- and health outcomes are underway.

Dealing with ethical challenges: a focus group study with professionals in mental health care.

BackgroundLittle is known about how health care professionals deal with ethical challenges in mental health care, especially when not making use of a formal ethics support service. Understanding this is important in order to be able to support the professionals, to improve the quality of care, and to know in which way future ethics support services might be helpful.MethodsWithin a project on ethics, coercion and psychiatry, we executed a focus group interview study at seven departments with 65 health care professionals and managers. We performed a systematic and open qualitative analysis focusing on the question: ‘How do health care professionals deal with ethical challenges?’ We deliberately did not present a fixed definition or theory of ethical challenge.ResultsWe categorized relevant topics into three subthemes: 1) Identification and presence of ethical challenges; 2) What do the participants actually do when dealing with an ethical challenge?; and 3) The significance of facing ethical challenges.Results varied from dealing with ethical challenges every day and appreciating it as a positive part of working in mental health care, to experiencing ethical challenges as paralyzing burdens that cause a lot of stress and hinder constructive team cooperation. Some participants reported that they do not have the time and that they lack a specific methodology. Quite often, informal and retrospective ad-hoc meetings in small teams were organized. Participants struggled with what makes a challenge an ethical challenge and whether it differs from a professional challenge. When dealing with ethical challenges, a number of participants experienced difficulties handling disagreement in a constructive way. Furthermore, some participants plead for more attention for underlying intentions and justifications of treatment decisions.ConclusionsThe interviewed health care professionals dealt with ethical challenges in many different ways, often in an informal, implicit and reactive manner. This study revealed nine different categories of what health care professionals implicitly or explicitly conceive as ‘ethical challenges’. Future research should focus on how ethics support services, such as ethics reflection groups or moral case deliberation, can be of help with respect to dealing with ethical challenges and value disagreements in a constructive way.

Current Status of Teaching Reading Comprehension in Japanese Language Education : A Study of Focus Group Interviews with High School Teachers

Current Status of Teaching Reading Comprehension in Japanese Language Education : A Study of Focus Group Interviews with High School Teachers

Health-care seeking behaviour and the use of traditional medicine among persons with type 2 diabetes in south-western Uganda: a study of focus group interviews.

IntroductionHealth-care seeking behaviour is important as it determines acceptance of health care and outcomes of chronic conditions but it has been investigated to a limited extent among persons with diabetes in developing countries. The aim of the study was to explore health-care seeking behaviour among persons with type 2 diabetes to understand reasons for using therapies offered by traditional healers.MethodsDescriptive study using focus-group interviews. Three purposive focus-groups were conducted in 2011 of 10 women and 7 men aged 39–72 years in Uganda. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and qualitatively analysed according to a method described for focus-groups.ResultsReasons for seeking help from traditional healers were symptoms related to diabetes such as polydipsia, fatigue and decreased sensitivity in lower limbs. Failure of effect from western medicine was also reported. Treatment was described to be unknown extracts, of locally made products taken as herbs or food, and participants had sought help from different health facilities with the help of relatives and friends.ConclusionThe pattern of seeking care was inconsistent, with a switch between different health care providers under the influence of the popular and folk sectors. Despite beliefs in using different healthcare providers seeking complementary and alternative medicine, participants still experienced many physical health problems related to diabetes complications. Health professionals need to be aware of the risk of switches between different health care providers, and develop strategies to initiate health promotion interventions to include in the care actors of significance to the patient from the popular, folk and professional sectors, to maintain continuity of effective diabetes care.

Enhancing Engagement in Algebra: Didactical Strategies Implemented and Discussed by Teachers

The aim of this study is to investigate student engagement from the point of view of the teacher, by focusing on teacher's didactical strategies used to engage students during algebra introduction. Eight teachers in grade 6 and 7 participated in a focus-group interview study. The findings are based on episodes of student engagement in algebra and teachers' discussions of didactical strategies used to enhance student engagement, analysed using the Theory of Didactical Situations. The results show that teachers put organisation of the lesson and issues related to the didactical contract in the foreground, while content and mathematical problems seemed taken for granted, as given by the textbook or curriculum. Teachers' freedom to influence the didactical design was thereby constrained to shaping activities and norms regulating interaction in the classroom. Among these norms they specifically emphasized the value of student reasoning.

Have restricted working hours reduced junior doctors’ experience of fatigue? A focus group and telephone interview study

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of the UK Working Time Regulations (WTR) on trainee doctors’ experience of fatigue.DesignQualitative study involving focus groups and telephone interviews, conducted in Spring 2012 with doctors...

Self-Care Guide for the Heart Failure Patient

You have been diagnosed with heart failure, but you are not alone. There are now more than 5 million Americans living with heart failure. Fortunately, with advances in treatment, you may live longer and enjoy a good quality of life. Heart failure is a serious medical condition that occurs when the heart does not pump enough blood to the rest of the body. It may be caused by many factors, such as heart attacks, infections, high blood pressure, toxins (like alcohol or drugs), or inherited conditions—to name a few. Successful treatment of heart failure requires careful attention to your medications and lifestyle. You, as the patient, are the most important member of the entire care team. Actively taking care of yourself is crucial to the success of your treatment. Creating a heart failure self-care routine is an important undertaking, one that requires a good understanding of the illness and …

Perceived knowledge about diabetes among personnel in municipal care: a qualitative focus group interview study

The aim of this study was to explore the perceived knowledge of diabetes among personnel practising in municipal care.The study was conducted using a qualitative approach through focus group interv ...

Secondary School Teachers' Opinions About In-Service Teacher Training: A Focus Group Interview Study*

Abstract The aim of this study is to determine the secondary school teachers’ opinions about in-service teacher training programs in Turkish Educational System. In order to provide in-depth information about teachers’ opinions, the focus group interview method was used in this research. The participants of this study are nine secondary school teachers. The findings revealed that teachers strongly desire to receive trainings on curriculum, scientific developments in their own fields, drama and theater. Teachers suggest that a needs analysis should be conducted in order to inform for planning of trainings.

The use of Citétaal among adolescents in Limburg: the role of space appropriation in language variation and change

The term Citétaal was originally used to refer to the language spoken by Italian immigrants in the Eastern part of Flanders (Limburg) and diffused in the former ghettoised mining areas (the cité). It is a melting pot language, based on Dutch but with a high amount of code mixture from immigrant languages, mostly Italian and Turkish. Recently, its use seems to be spreading among speakers in Limburg and particularly in the area of Genk, which is the city with the highest concentration of speakers with different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. In this paper, we investigate to what extent and in what contexts Citétaal is currently used by adolescents in Limburg by means of a quantitative questionnaire study and qualitative analysis of focus group interviews. The quantitative results show that both speakers with immigrant and non-immigrant backgrounds use Citétaal and consider it primarily as intended for peer communication. Furthermore, the interview data suggests that Citétaal is shifting from marking ethnicity to indexing a new, localised identity of which its emergence seems to be related to the mechanism of enregisterment. Based on our findings, we conclude that the appropriation of space functions as a catalyst force for language variation and change.

“You'll Face Discrimination Wherever You Go”: Student Athletes’ Intentions to Enter the Coaching Profession

We conducted 2 studies to examine student athletes’ intentions to enter the coaching profession. In Study 1, participants responded to a questionnaire designed to assess the major constructs from social cognitive career theory. Results indicate that although racial minorities, relative to Whites, expected more positive outcomes with being a coach and had greater intentions to pursue that profession, they also anticipated more barriers associated with coaching. To clarify this relationship, we conducted a focus group interview (Study 2) with 6 male athletes of color. Participants indicated that prejudice and discrimination were expected across their potential vocational choices, not just coaching. Thus, given the many positives associated with coaching, they preferred to encounter those barriers in the coaching context.

Women's experience of SLE-related fatigue: a focus group interview study

The aim of this study was to describe women's experience of SLE-related fatigue, how they express the feeling of fatigue, impact on life and strategies developed to manage fatigue in daily living. Seven, semi-structured focus group discussions with 33 women were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed according to qualitative content analysis. Perceptions of SLE-related fatigue were sorted into four themes. Nature of Fatigue, involved the sensation, occurrence and character. Aspects Affected by Fatigue described emotions that arose together with fatigue as well as aspects of work, family life, social contacts and leisure activities that were affected by fatigue. Striving Towards Power and Control concluded the array of ways used to manage daily life and were categorized into the mental struggle, structure, restrict and provide. Factors Influencing the Perception of Fatigue described understanding from their surroundings and pain as strongly influencing the experience and perception of fatigue. SLE-related fatigue was portrayed as an overwhelming phenomenon with an unpredictable character, resulting in the feeling that fatigue dominates and controls most situations in life. The choice of strategies was described as a balance with implications for how fatigue limited a person's life. Health care professionals are advised to take a more active role to empower people with SLE to find their own balance as a way to achieve a feeling of being in control.

Left alone - Swedish nurses’ and mental health workers’ experiences of being care providers in a social psychiatric dwelling context in the post-health-care-restructuring era. A focus-group interview study

The professional role of nurses and mental health workers in social psychiatry is being re-defined towards a recovery, client-focused perspective. Approximately 0.7 percent of the adult population in Sweden suffers from severe mental illness leading to a need for community services. The primary aims of the Mental Health Reform in 1995 in Sweden were to improve the quality of life for people with severe, long-term mental illness and, through normalization and integration, enhancing their opportunities to communicate with and participate in society. This study examines nurses' and mental health workers' views and experiences of being care providers in a municipal psychiatric group dwelling context when caring for clients suffering from severe mental illness. Three focus group interviews were made and thematic content analysis was conducted. Four themes were formulated: 'Being a general human factotum not unlike the role of parents', 'Having a complex and ambiguous view of clients', 'Working in a mainly 'strangled' situation', and 'Feeling overwhelming frustration'. The staff, for instance, experienced a heavy workload that highly involved themselves as persons and restricted organization. The individual relational aspects of the nursing role, the risk of instrumentalizing the staff due to an organizational economical teleopathy (meaning a pathological desire to react goals), and the high societal demands on accomplishing the Mental Health Reform goals are discussed. To redefine the professional role of nurses and mental health workers in the community, in Sweden known as municipality, they need support in the form of continuously education, supervision, and dialogue with politicians as well as the public in general.