Qualitative Focus Group Study Research Articles

Technology Use for Home-Based Stroke Rehabilitation in Switzerland From the Perspectives of Persons Living With Stroke, Informal Caregivers, and Therapists: Qualitative Interview and Focus Group Study.

Stroke is a leading cause for long-term disability, requiring both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation and self-training in the home environment. Technology-based tools are gradually gaining acceptance as additional and suitable options for extending the rehabilitation process. While the experiences of persons living with stroke, therapists, and informal caregivers with respect to technology use have already been investigated in other countries, this topic is underexplored in the Swiss context. We aimed to explore the experiences and needs of persons living with stroke, informal caregivers, and therapists in using technology-based tools in a home environment for stroke rehabilitation in Switzerland. This study followed a qualitative descriptive methodology, including semistructured interviews and focus group discussions. We applied a deductive template analysis alongside the accessibility, adaptability, accountability, and engagement framework to analyze the qualitative data sets for technology-assisted solutions for poststroke rehabilitation. We collected the experiences and needs of persons living with stroke (7/23, 30%), informal caregivers (4/23, 17%), and therapists (occupational and physical therapists; 12/23, 52%). The 4 categories we used to organize the analysis and results were accessibility to quality rehabilitation, adaptability to patient differences, accountability or compliance with rehabilitation, and engagement with rehabilitation. Persons living with stroke stated that they use various tools within their rehabilitation process depending on their specific needs. They felt that there is a plethora of tools available but sometimes felt overwhelmed with the selection process. Informal caregivers indicated that they generally felt underserved and insufficiently informed throughout the rehabilitation process. They reported that they use technology-based tools to support their relatives affected by stroke in becoming more independent. Therapists appreciate the numerous possible applications of technology-based tools in rehabilitation. At the same time, however, they express dissatisfaction with the lack of clarity in Switzerland regarding cost coverage, recommendations, and training opportunities. Persons living with stroke, informal caregivers, and therapists in Switzerland reported varied and unique experiences and needs with the use of technology-based tools in outpatient stroke rehabilitation. Written recommendations, the assumption of financial costs, and the provision of information and education could foster increased confidence in the use of technology-based tools for patients and therapists.

Family planning decision-making in relation to psychiatric disorders in women: a qualitative focus group study

BackgroundRecent studies revealed an elevated likelihood of unintended pregnancies among women with psychiatric disorders compared to their counterparts without such vulnerability. Despite the importance of understanding family planning decision-making in this group, qualitative inquiries are lacking. This study explored family planning decisions among women with psychiatric disorders.MethodsUtilizing a qualitative approach, three focus group discussions were conducted with purposive sampling: women with a history of unintended pregnancies (N = 3), women without children (N = 5), and women with a history of intended pregnancies (N = 9), all of whom had self-reported psychiatric disorders. Using thematic framework analysis, we investigated the themes “Shadow of the past,” reflecting past experiences, and “Shadow of the future,” reflecting future imaginaries, building upon the existing “Narrative Framework.”ResultsThe Narrative Framework formed the foundation for understanding family planning among women with psychiatric disorders. The retrospective dimension of focus group discussions provided opportunities for reflective narratives on sensitive topics, revealing emotions of regret, grief and relief. Childhood trauma, adverse events, and inadequate parenting enriched the "Shadow of the past". The “Shadow of the present” was identified as a novel theme, addressing awareness of psychiatric disorders and emotions toward psychiatric stability. Social influences, stigma, and concerns about transmitting psychiatric disorders shaped future imaginaries in the shadow of the future.ConclusionsThis study enlightens how family planning decision-making in women with psychiatric disorders might be complex, as marked by the enduring impact of past experiences and societal influences in this sample. These nuanced insights underscore the necessity for tailored support for women with psychiatric disorders.

Contextualising and challenging under-representation in research in light of Cultural Trauma: a qualitative focus group and interview study

BackgroundAlthough underserved populations— including those from ethnic minority communities and those living in poverty—have worse health and poorer healthcare experiences, most primary care research does not fairly reflect these groups. Patient and public involvement (PPI) is usually embedded within research studies in the United Kingdom (UK), but often fails to represent underserved populations. This study worked with patient and public contributors and local community leaders, situated in a socio-economically deprived and ethnically diverse urban area, to explore under-representation in primary healthcare research.MethodsWe undertook a focus group with a purposive sample of 6 members of a Patient and Public Involvement Group (PPIG), and interviews with 4 community leaders (representing Black, South Asian, Roma and socio-economically deprived communities). An iterative analysis process based on template analysis was used. Focus group 1 was rapidly analysed, and a template created. Findings were presented in focus group 2, and the template further developed. The Cultural Trauma concept was than applied to the template to give a wider theoretical lens. In-depth analysis of focus groups and interviews was then performed based on the template.ResultsWider societal and historical influences have degraded trust in academic and healthcare institutions within underserved populations. Along with more practical considerations, trust underpins personal motivations to engage with research. Researchers need to invest time and resources in prolonged, mutually beneficial engagement with communities of importance to their research, including sharing power and influence over research priorities. Researcher reflexivity regarding differential power and cultural competencies are crucial. Utilising participatory methodologies including co-production demonstrates a commitment to inclusive study design.ConclusionsRe-framing evidence-based medicine to be more useful and relevant to underserved populations with the highest burden of ill health is urgently needed. Lack of representation in primary healthcare research reflects wider societal inequalities, to which Cultural Trauma provides a useful lens. However, there are actions that researchers can take to widen representation. This will ultimately help achieve the goal of increased health equity by enhancing scientific rigour and research generalizability.

Intrinsic Motivation of Gen Z to be a Teacher in Elementary Schools

Intrinsic motivation plays a critical role in influencing an individual's career choices. Since 2017, Gen Z, as the youngest generation to enter the workforce, exhibits distinct career motivations compared to earlier generations. However, there is still very little research that explores a person's intrinsic motivation in choosing a career as a teacher. This research aimed to explore the intrinsic motivation of prospective teachers from Gen Z to become professional teachers in elementary schools. The study included 12 pre-service teachers enrolled in the elementary school teacher education program, selected using purposive sampling techniques. By adopting qualitative focus group study research, the results showed that intrinsic motivation to become a teacher in elementary schools included three main themes, namely: the interest in teaching, self-development, and comfort in teaching. This research made an important contribution to the understanding of intrinsic motivation in entering a career as a teacher, which could assist in the development of strategies and policies that support the recruitment and retention of quality teachers.

Perceptions of non-disclosure of results in clinical trial designs for multicancer detection tests.

10546 Background: Multi-cancer detection tests (MCDs) are blood-based tests designed to detect multiple cancers. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is planning a pilot study to ascertain the feasibility of recruitment and the necessary infrastructure, clinical workflow, and diagnostic pathways for conducting a large clinical trial to assess whether cancer screening using MCDs reduces cancer mortality. In preparation for these activities, the NCI conducted a qualitative focus group study with primary care physicians (PCPs) and laypersons to explore the acceptability of alternative MCD trial designs, including the disclosure vs. non-disclosure of MCD test results to study participants. Methods: Focus groups were conducted with convenience samples of PCPs (6 groups, N=45) and laypersons (4 groups, N=88) by a consumer research firm. Interviews used both open-ended questions and specific prompts to explore participants’ perceptions of alternative clinical trial designs. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed, and qualitative thematic analysis of interview transcripts was conducted to identify emergent themes. Results: In general, PCPs and laypersons reported a willingness to refer or participate in an MCD trial regardless of design, with the understanding that clear and transparent information would be provided in the consent process. However, both groups expressed concern with a trial design in which patients in the control arm would not receive their MCD test results—a design that would allow a marked reduction in sample size and time necessary to assess a mortality endpoint. PCPs noted that although this design might be ethically acceptable due to current clinical equipoise about MCD testing, they expressed concern about mistrust among patients and medical-legal liability. Laypersons had difficulty understanding the rationale for non-disclosure of MCD test results during a trial, and concerns about the ethics of non-disclosure. Some participants felt more comfortable if return of value with other information was included as part of routine study procedures. Participants were more comfortable with an alternative design involving delayed testing of stored blood samples from the control group after trial completion. PCPs also expressed concern about increased workloads if their patients enrolled. Conclusions: PCPs and laypersons had generally positive reactions to a trial to investigate diagnostic performance, pathways, and outcomes of MCDs. Concerns about study designs involving non-disclosure of results might be managed through return of value strategies, careful education, and clear communication of the benefits and risks of MCDs.

Exploring Patient–Clinician Trust During Pregnancy Care

OBJECTIVE: To explore patient experiences and perspectives regarding trust in clinicians during pregnancy care among Latine patients, focusing on those with Spanish as their preferred language. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative focus group study to explore trust in pregnancy care clinicians. Eligible participants self-identified as Hispanic/Latine, reported Spanish or English as their preferred language, were pregnant or had given birth in the previous year, and were at least 18 years old. Participants completed a brief demographic survey. We report descriptive statistics for survey responses. A semistructured discussion guide was developed from a literature review and feedback from a patient advisory panel. We report emerging themes using a modified grounded theory approach with an analysis of focus group transcripts. We mapped themes to the five dimensions of trust according to the Building Trust Initiative—communication, caring, comfort, cost, and competency—and barriers to trust. RESULTS: We conducted eight focus groups (five in Spanish, three in English) through Zoom between July and September 2023. Cost was not discussed in any of the focus groups. Rather, there was an emerging theme around acompañamiento (accompaniment is a distinct form of companionship in which there is shared power during a shared journey), particularly in the Spanish focus groups. Barriers to building trust exist at the interpersonal and health system levels, including miscommunication, lack of continuity, and brevity of appointments. CONCLUSION: This study explores how trust is conceptualized in pregnancy care according to the perspectives of Latine patients. We found that acompañamiento is a unique and crucial dimension of trust among Spanish-speaking patients.

Community Partners' Perceptions of the Benefits and Burdens of Participating in a Community Engagement Course with Medical Students.

Service-learning courses improve medical students' ability and willingness to participate in community engagement as future physicians. However, few studies examine the community partners' (CP) perceptions of the utility of these courses in accomplishing the goals of their organizations. This qualitative study sought to understand the CPs' perspective of the benefits and burdens they face while participating in a university-affiliated medical school's Community Learning and Social Medicine (CLSM) course. This was a qualitative focus group study conducted with CPs participating in the CLSM course. A trained facilitator virtually conducted focus groups. The study team recorded and professionally transcribed these conversations. The team subsequently developed a code book, and two independent coders analyzed all materials. The team used reflective thematic analysis to identify prominent themes. Fifteen out of 28 CPs participated in the study. The study team organized themes from the analysis into three categories: benefits to participation, challenges to participation, and minor themes. CP-perceived benefits to participating in the CLSM course included help with organizational activities, dissemination of clinically relevant skills to medical students, and effective engagement with community members. Barriers to participation included course constraints and a lack of clarity on course content and student expectations. CPs also described their role in medical student education as an extension of faculty members. Finally, CPs offered solutions for improving course communication among site leads, students, and course instructors. CPs acknowledged that this service-learning course provides collective benefit to students, community organizations, and community members. However, challenges such as navigating student schedules and understanding course expectations lead to additional work for CPs. Acting on suggestions for improvement will help secure this course's longevity and collective benefit to the community.

Exploring Trust in Pregnancy Care Clinicians Among Latine Patients in Spanish and English: A Qualitative Study [ID 2683628

INTRODUCTION: Trust between patients and clinicians is critical for better experiences and outcomes, yet there is no consensus on how trust is defined and measured in pregnancy care. We aimed to explore how patients define trust in clinicians; facilitators and barriers to building trust; and how trust may be eroded and rebuilt over time. METHODS: A bilingual, multicultural team led this qualitative focus group study. The semistructured discussion guide included definitions of trust based on a literature review, how trust is built, when trust is lost, external factors that influence the patient–clinician relationship, previous pregnancy experiences, and sources of trustworthy information during pregnancy. The discussions were audiorecorded and transcribed in the language in which they were held. We performed thematic content analysis on transcripts using both deductive and inductive approaches in each language. Codes were organized and synthesized according to emerging themes. The IRB approved this study. RESULTS: We held eight focus groups of Hispanic/Latine pregnant and postpartum patients; five were held in Spanish and three in English with a total of 35 participants. We identified five constructs of trust: communication, comfort, caring, competency, and accompaniment (“acompañamiento”). Facilitators of trust were warm interpersonal dynamics, continuity with clinician and care team, rapid direct communication with clinician, and language concordance. Barriers of trust were inadequate or inaccurate information, rotating clinicians, cold interpersonal dynamics, and language discordance. There were few differences between Spanish and English groups. CONCLUSION: Patient perspectives about building trust with clinicians are critical for improving the quality of patient–clinician relationships, especially when language barriers exist.

Signs, Sources, Coping Strategies, and Suggested Interventions for Burnout Among Preclerkship Students at a U.S. Medical School: A Qualitative Focus Group Study.

Research suggests that burnout can begin early in medical school, yet burnout among preclerkship students remains underexplored. This study aimed to characterize burnout signs, sources, coping strategies, and potential interventions among preclerkship students at one U.S. medical school. The authors conducted a qualitative study of preclerkship students at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine (MCASOM) during June 2019. Participants completed 2 Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) items (measuring frequency of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization) and 2 free-text questions on burnout before participating in 1 of 3 semistructured focus groups. Focus group questions were derived from a literature review on medical student burnout with input from the MCASOM Student Life and Wellness Committee. Group discussions were recorded, transcribed, coded inductively, and analyzed iteratively (along with free-text comments) using a general inductive approach from a constructivist perspective. Eighteen of 111 eligible students (16%) participated, with 5/18 (28%) reporting weekly emotional exhaustion and/or depersonalization on MBI items. Analysis of focus group transcripts showed that most students had experienced burnout symptoms during their first or second year, corresponding with school-related stressors and manifesting in cognitive-emotional, physical, and verbal-behavioral ways. Students identified systemic, institutional, and individual burnout drivers and discussed how these drivers interacted (e.g., high standards of excellence at the system level interacted with anxiety and maladaptive thinking at the individual level, creating pressure to always do more). Students used various coping strategies (e.g., self-care, peer support, reframing, and compartmentalization) but emphasized limitations of these strategies and recommended interventions directed toward systemic and institutional burnout drivers. This study offers insights into burnout signs and sources among preclerkship medical students that can inform future large-scale studies. Results suggest that burnout emerges from dynamic interactions among systemic, institutional, and individual factors and may benefit from multipronged interventions.

Do adults listen? A qualitative analysis of the narratives of LGBTQI adolescents in Madrid

This article explores the experiences of LGBTQI adolescents related to the listening they receive, based on a qualitative focus group study conducted between 2022 and 2023 in Madrid, Spain. After the transcription of the conversations, a thematic analysis was carried out following the systematic procedure designed by Nowell et al. (2017), in order to extract the meanings that the adolescents gave to their experiences. The main thematic axes around which the group discussions revolved were the existence of homophobic ideologies and adultists societies, the experience of not feeling listened to, the safe spaces in which they do feel listened to, the reaffirmation of their identity and satisfaction with their own bodies. Attention was also paid to the processes of subjectivation and agency in relation to listening. The conclusions highlight the importance of role models, the requirement that listening be supported by an intention to learn and recognize others, as well as the urgent need to create safe listening spaces for LGBTQI adolescents.

CLINICIANS' PERCEPTIONS OF MANUAL HANDLING POLICIES IN STROKE REHABILITATION: A QUALITATIVE FOCUS GROUP STUDY.

The professional literature guides manual handling in numerous health care settings. The effects of these guidelines on stroke rehabilitation and the clinical communication of health care professionals are unknown. This paper aims to investigate the perspectives of nurses and physiotherapists on handling guidelines in their professions to identify conflicts in opinions to provide optimum care to people with stroke. A qualitative focus group study. Three focus groups were conducted. The participants were physiotherapists or nurses with 1 year of stroke care experience. The data were thematically analysed. Nineteen participants (12 physiotherapists and 7 nurses) were interviewed. The data analysis revealed 3 themes. First, "The application of handling in stroke rehabilitation" includes clinical reasoning and real-world handling practices. The second theme, "Physical Effects on Therapists," examines the long-term effects of manual handling on therapists, including work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The final theme, "Conflicts among health care professionals," investigates stroke rehabilitation equipment conflicts between nurses and physiotherapists. The study concludes that stroke transfer guidelines in the specialised literature may impact health care professionals' perspectives. Conflicts among health care professionals can impair teamwork. Thus, health care professionals should work together as stroke rehabilitation teams to develop unified transfer guidelines that aid rehabilitation and avoid work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Perceptions on Specialist Palliative Care Involvement During and After Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Qualitative Study

IMPORTANCE: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an exceptional physical situation and may lead to significant psychological, spiritual, and social distress in patients and their next of kin. Furthermore, clinicians might experience distress related to a CPR event. Specialist palliative care (sPC) integration could address these aspects but is not part of routine care. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore perspectives on sPC integration during and after CPR. A needs assessment for sPC, possible triggers indicating need, and implementation strategies were addressed. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A multiprofessional qualitative semistructured focus group study was conducted in a German urban academic teaching hospital. Participants were clinicians (nursing staff, residents, and consultants) working in the emergency department and ICUs (internal medicine and surgical). ANALYSIS: The focus groups were recorded and subsequently transcribed. Data material was analyzed using the content-structuring content analysis according to Kuckartz. RESULTS: Seven focus groups with 18 participants in total were conducted online from July to November 2022. Six main categories (two to five subcategories) were identified: understanding (of palliative care and death), general CPR conditions (e.g., team, debriefing, and strains), prognosis (e.g., preexisting situation, use of extracorporeal support), next of kin (e.g., communication, presence during CPR), treatment plan (patient will and decision-making), and implementation of sPC (e.g., timing, trigger factors). CONCLUSIONS: Perceptions about the need for sPC to support during and after CPR depend on roles, areas of practice, and individual understanding of sPC. Although some participants perceive CPR itself as a trigger for sPC, others define, for example, pre-CPR-existing multimorbidity or complex family dynamics as possible triggers. Suggestions for implementation are multifaceted, especially communication by sPC is emphasized. Specific challenges of extracorporeal CPR need to be explored further. Overall, the focus groups show that the topic is considered relevant, and studies on outcomes are warranted.

Firefighters and police search dog handlers’ experiences working closely with paramedics in urban search and rescue incidents: a qualitative focus group study from Oslo

BackgroundRescue operations are in Norway defined as situations where patients are difficult to access or that more resources are needed than the health services alone possess and can put in operation (Bull A, Redningshåndboken er endelig her! [Internet]. Hovedredningssentralen. 2018 [cited 2023 May 15]. Available from: https://www.hovedredningssentralen.no/redningshandboken-er-endelig-her/). Rescue operations after large incidents may include civil protection, military forces, non-governmental organizations and other resources, but the initial rescue effort must be performed by the emergency services as time often is of essence. The central area of an accident where special training and personal protection equipment is necessary or mandatory is called the Hot Zone. This study examines Urban Search And Rescue (USAR) firefighters and police officers reported experiences from ambulance personnel’s contribution in the Hot Zone.MethodsWe conducted five focus group interviews with USAR-trained firefighters and police officers. The interviewees were those on duty on the agreed dates. The interviews were taped, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis as described by Braun & Clarke.ResultsThree themes were identified; Feeling safe during missions, Building USAR capacity, and Trust-building within USAR-teams. The firefighters and police officers reported their and the patients’ safety are best managed by EMS-personnel, whose presence strongly contributes to their own feeling of safety in a dangerous area. When EMS handles victims and injured emergency workers, firefighters and police officers can focus on their own primary tasks. Indeed, interviewees reported that building a USAR capacity depends on having USAR-trained EMS-personnel in the Hot Zone. The interviewees have clear and consistent opinions on how to establish an interagency USAR capacity effectively. Trust is paramount to the interviewees, and they express a high degree of trust within USAR Oslo.ConclusionsFirefighters and police officers regard USAR-trained EMS-personnel as a natural and integrated part in urban search and rescue teams. EMS-personnel in the dangerous area deliver safety and medical professional assistance to both rescue workers and patients. Informants in this study had clear opinions on how to establish and maintain such a service.

The lived experiences of HIV-positive women in rural Zimbabwe: A qualitative focus group study.

The study explored and described the meaning attached to the lived experiences of women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the rural context of Zimbabwe. Stigma and discrimination negatively impact one's ability to perform the expected social roles, the quality of life, and the efforts to prevent the spread of HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and reduce HIV-related mortality. Thus, the study aims to understand the meaning attached to the lived experiences of HIV-positive women living in rural areas or villages of Matabeleland South province in Zimbabwe. The study used a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory design. Four focus group discussions were conducted with 24 HIV-positive rural women living in Matabeleland South province, Zimbabwe. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was adopted to explore and describe the meaning attached to the lived experiences of women living with HIV. Two interconnected themes were identified in the analysis with their sub-themes. These were: (1) struggle for social belonging, with subthemes - loss of social belonging and reduced access to community-based empowerment opportunities and (2) struggle for maintaining the quality of life with subthemes - lack of need-based community healthcare and food insecurity. Being a woman living with HIV in rural Zimbabwe means a perpetual struggle to maintain one's humanness and quality of life.Contribution:This study's results will support the efforts of the Zimbabwean government to improve the quality of life of HIV-positive women living in rural areas.

General practitioners' experiences of providing lifestyle advice to patients with depression: A qualitative focus group study.

Depression is an increasingly common mental health disorder in the UK, managed predominantly in the community by GPs. Emerging evidence suggests lifestyle medicine is a key component in the management of depression. We aimed to explore GPs' experiences, attitudes, and challenges to providing lifestyle advice to patients with depression. Focus groups were conducted virtually with UK GPs (May-July 2022). A topic guide facilitated the discussion and included questions on experiences, current practices, competence, challenges, and service provision. Data were analysed using template analysis. 'Supporting Effective Conversations'; 'Willing, but Blocked from Establishing Relational Care'; 'Working Towards Patient Empowerment'; and 'Control Over the Prognosis' were all elements of how individualised lifestyle advice was key to the management of depression. Establishing a doctor-patient relationship by building trust and rapport was fundamental to having effective conversations about lifestyle behaviours. Empowering patients to make positive lifestyle changes required tailoring advice using a patient-centred approach. Confidence varied across participants, depending on education, experience, type of patient, and severity of depression. GPs play an important role in managing depression using lifestyle medicine and a patient-centred approach. Organisational and educational changes are necessary to facilitate GPs in providing optimal care to patients with depression.

Emergency medical dispatchers’ experiences of using the Medical Priority Dispatch System telephone triage to identify maternity emergencies: a qualitative focus group study

ObjectivesThe ambulance service plays a pivotal role in the provision of care in out-of-hospital maternity emergencies. Telephone triage of this patient group is complex and must be sensitive to an...

Self-management support (SMS) in primary care practice: a qualitative focus group study of care professionals’ experiences

BackgroundTo support self-management of chronically ill persons, innovative approaches of care practice are being developed. Unfortunately, many self-management supporting interventions struggle to achieve reliable and consistent improvements at various levels (patient, provider and healthcare system level). One possible strategy to facilitate translating theory into practice, is to consider the healthcare professionals’ perspective prior to the development of new interventions. An exploration of their knowledge and opinion about barriers and facilitators is necessary before employing any self-management support (SMS) intervention. Therefore, our study aims to explore care professionals’ perspectives about SMS within the Flemish primary care setting.MethodsThis study used a qualitative study design to examine SMS in primary care setting. Five focus groups were conducted, grouped into three waves. Participants were healthcare professionals in Flanders representing different disciplines and settings. A maximum variation purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. For the data analysis, the framework of thematic networks by Attride-Stirling was applied.ResultsA total of 34 healthcare professionals participated. Three global themes related to SMS were derived from the thematic analysis: (1) Characteristics, (2) Support strategies, (3) Barriers and facilitators. SMS was characterised as a collaboration-based and person-centred approach. A variety of supporting strategies were mentioned by the focus group participants. Most strategies consisted of informing and educating patients. Complementary to individual strategies, collaborative strategies were deemed necessary to support self-management. Regarding barriers and facilitators, different patient-related factors were identified. Additionally, competencies of healthcare providers and external factors seem to hinder the implementation of SMS in practice.ConclusionsThis focus group study highlights the importance of a collaborative, person-centred approach to SMS in the context of chronic diseases. Our findings point to the need for interventions that raise awareness and address barriers associated with SMS. Since generic SMS does not exist, the road to success is a growth process in which support must be adapted to the individual patient.

Physical Therapists' Acceptance of a Wearable, Fabric-Based Sensor System (Motion Tape) for Use in Clinical Practice: Qualitative Focus Group Study.

Low back pain (LBP) is a costly global health condition that affects individuals of all ages and genders. Physical therapy (PT) is a commonly used and effective intervention for the management of LBP and incorporates movement assessment and therapeutic exercise. A newly developed wearable, fabric-based sensor system, Motion Tape, uses novel sensing and data modeling to measure lumbar spine movements unobtrusively and thus offers potential benefits when used in conjunction with PT. However, physical therapists' acceptance of Motion Tape remains unexplored. The primary aim of this research study was to evaluate physical therapists' acceptance of Motion Tape to be used for the management of LBP. The secondary aim was to explore physical therapists' recommendations for future device development. Licensed physical therapists from the American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Leadership Technology Special Interest Group participated in this study. Overall, 2 focus groups (FGs; N=8) were conducted, in which participants were presented with Motion Tape samples and examples of app data output on a poster. Informed by the Technology Acceptance Model, we conducted semistructured FGs and explored the wearability, usefulness, and ease of use of and suggestions for improvements in Motion Tape for PT management of LBP. FG data were transcribed and analyzed using rapid qualitative analysis. Regarding wearability, participants perceived that Motion Tape would be able to adhere for several days, with some variability owing to external factors. Feedback was positive for the low-profile and universal fit, but discomfort owing to wires and potential friction with clothing was of concern. Other concerns included difficulty with self-application and potential skin sensitivity. Regarding usefulness, participants expressed that Motion Tape would enhance the efficiency and specificity of assessments and treatment. Regarding ease of use, participants stated that the app would be easy, but data management and challenges with interpretation were of concern. Physical therapists provided several recommendations for future design improvements including having a wireless system or removable wires, customizable sizes for the tape, and output including range of motion data and summary graphs and adding app features that consider patient input and context. Several themes related to Motion Tape's wearability, usefulness, and ease of use were identified. Overall, physical therapists expressed acceptance of Motion Tape's potential for assessing and monitoring low back posture and movement, both within and outside clinical settings. Participants expressed that Motion Tape would be a valuable tool for the personalized treatment of LBP but highlighted several future improvements needed for Motion Tape to be used in practice.

‘He just looked like he couldn’t learn, whereas he just couldn’t see’: exploring clinician experiences working with people who have co-occurring communication and visual impairment

ABSTRACT Individuals with concurrent visual and communication impairments necessitate specialized, multidisciplinary care, yet the adequacy of orthoptists' and speech pathologists' skills and resources remains underexplored. This research aims to examine these professionals' perspectives and test the acceptability of qualitative methods before a broader study. Qualitative focus group study with thematic analysis. Three, 1.5-hour semi-structured focus groups were conducted with a total of seven clinicians on videoconferencing platform, Zoom. Four orthoptists and three speech pathologists with at least 12 months of relevant clinical experience took part in focus groups. Focus groups were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Four main themes with 12 subthemes were identified. Theme 1, positive impacts of interprofessional care, reflected the value of collaboration, dual knowledge and addressing both disabilities in improving client outcomes. Theme 2 highlighted barriers to effective clinical management, including limited communication between professions, lack of interprofessional knowledge, poor role awareness, orthoptists use of objective measures, and resource barriers. Theme 3 related to participants’ lack of formal and informal training experiences, and theme 4 included enablers to improving clinical competency. All participants agreed with the allocated time for each focus group and believed the questions were appropriate and relevant to the aim of the study. A number of suggestions were made to enable a more successful focus group discussion in the future. This study revealed perceived gaps in interdisciplinary collaboration, skills, and knowledge, including a lack of role awareness and effective management practices for clinicians. Further training, resource development and research is warranted.

Facilitators and barriers of empathetic behaviour in physiotherapy clinical practice: A qualitative focus group study

BackgroundEmpathy is an essential competence of a person-centered approach, and a recognisable ability for providing physiotherapy quality healthcare. Empathetic communication enhances the improvement of patient outcomes and their experience of treatment. ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to present further insights considering facilitators and barriers of an empathetic communication between patients and physiotherapists. MethodsA qualitative focus group study was designed according to COREQ guidance for qualitative studies. Two focus groups were conducted. The first group included six patients and two individuals from non-governmental organizations, whereas three physiotherapists, two academic physiotherapist personnel and two undergraduate physiotherapy students participated in the second group. Both groups were audio recorded, and all data was verbatim transcribed for coding thematic analysis. Results9 themes were revealed regarding empathetic facilitators (qualities of good communication, relationship building, interprofessional collaborative practice, positive environment, love for the healthcare profession and professionalism), while 8 themes were revealed regarding barriers (challenging situations, working conditions, burn out, depreciation of empathetic communication, lack of training, lack of professionalism, lack of personal development and health professionals’ own personal problems). Conclusion(s)The enhancement of empathy can be accomplished in a trustworthy relationship between patient and clinicians where the development of proficient communication skills are prioritized. However, hindering factors associated with health professionals, patients and the health system should be surmounted. Ethical approval number339-ΣΕ8/10-1-2020.