Qualitative Focus Group Study Research Articles

Mental Health Practitioners' and Young People's Experiences of Talking About Social Media During Mental Health Consultations: Qualitative Focus Group and Interview Study.

Increasing concerns among mental health care professionals have focused on the impact of young people's use of digital technology and social media on their mental well-being. It has been recommended that the use of digital technology and social media be routinely explored during mental health clinical consultations with young people. Whether these conversations occur and how they are experienced by both clinicians and young people are currently unknown. This study aimed to explore mental health practitioners' and young people's experiences of talking about young people's web-based activities related to their mental health during clinical consultations. Web-based activities include use of social media, websites, and messaging. Our aim was to identify barriers to effective communication and examples of good practice. In particular, we wanted to obtain the views of young people, who are underrepresented in studies, on their social media and digital technology use related to mental health. A qualitative study was conducted using focus groups (11 participants across 3 groups) with young people aged 16 to 24 years and interviews (n=8) and focus groups (7 participants across 2 groups) with mental health practitioners in the United Kingdom. Young people had experience of mental health problems and support provided by statutory mental health services or third-sector organizations. Practitioners worked in children and young people's mental health services, statutory services, or third-sector organizations such as a university counseling service. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Practitioners and young people agreed that talking about young people's web-based activities and their impact on mental health is important. Mental health practitioners varied in their confidence in doing this and were keen to have more guidance. Young people said that practitioners seldom asked about their web-based activities, but when asked, they often felt judged or misunderstood. This stopped them from disclosing difficult web-based experiences and precluded useful conversations about web-based safety and how to access appropriate web-based support. Young people supported the idea of guidance or training for practitioners and were enthusiastic about sharing their experiences and being involved in the training or guidance provided to practitioners. Practitioners would benefit from structured guidance and professional development to enable them to support young people in feeling more willing to disclose and talk about their web-based experiences and their impact on their mental health. This is reflected in practitioners' desire for guidance to improve their confidence and skills to safely support young people in navigating the challenges of the web-based world. Young people want to feel comfortable discussing their web-based activities during their consultations with mental health practitioners, both in tackling the challenges and using the opportunity to discuss their experiences, gain support, and develop coping strategies related to web-based safety.

Educational Travel and Personal Development: Deconstructing the Short-Term Study Abroad Experience

ABSTRACT Taking an explanatory mixed-method approach, this research examines how participation in short-term educational travel abroad affects young adults’ personal development. Different from previous research investigating the study abroad trip as one holistic concept, the current research deconstructs study abroad experiences into travel and education components and examines each component’s effect on undergraduate students’ post-trip developmental benefits. Through a quantitative survey-based study and a follow-up qualitative focus-group study, specific travel- and education-related components of study abroad experience are identified as salient factors promoting young travelers’ personal development progress, including participation in group excursions and experiential learning activities, self-management of travel logistics, and engagement in diverse and authentic social/cultural interactions. The research findings provide insights into how learning occurs through travel and highlight short-term study abroad as an impactful special-purpose tourism product. This research contributes to a niche tourism topic regarding travel experience design with the purpose of fostering personal development.

“Shiny Happy People Laughing”: The Protest Paradigm, WUNC, and the Visual Framing of Political Activism

Media coverage of protest, particularly its visual framing, is crucial to the legitimacy and impact of protest movements. Typical patterns in media coverage of protests, which account for discrepancies between how protests are portrayed, are the protest paradigm and WUNC (worthy, united, numbers, commitment). In order to investigate how specific visual items and features of media images showing political protest elicit positive or negative perceptions and annotations by an audience, we study two questions: Which visual features in media images of protest elicit positive or negative perceptions and annotations by an audience? How do these perceptions correspond with the protest paradigm and WUNC, respectively? We answer these questions by conducting a qualitative focus group study with students from a mid-size German university.

Oncological healthcare providers’ perspectives on appropriate melanoma survivorship care: a qualitative focus group study

BackgroundThe increasing group of melanoma survivors reports multiple unmet needs regarding survivorship care (SSC). To optimise melanoma SSC, it is crucial to take into account the perspectives of oncological healthcare providers (HCPs) in addition to those of patients. The aim of this study is to gain an in-depth understanding of HCPs’ perspectives on appropriate melanoma SSC.MethodsFour online focus groups were conducted with mixed samples of oncological HCPs (dermatologists, surgeons, oncologists, oncological nurse practitioners, support counsellors and general practitioners) (total n = 23). A topic guide was used to structure the discussions, focusing on perspectives on both SSC and survivorship care plans (SCPs). All focus groups were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to an elaborate thematic content analysis.ResultsRegarding SSC, HCPs considered the current offer minimal and stressed the need for broader personalised SSC from diagnosis onwards. Although hardly anyone was familiar with SCPs, they perceived various potential benefits of SCPs, such as an increase in the patients’ self-management and providing HCPs with an up-to-date overview of the patient’s situation. Perceived preconditions for successful implementation included adequate personalisation, integration in the electronic health record and ensuring adequate funding to activate and provide timely updates.ConclusionsAccording to HCPs there is considerable room for improvement in terms of melanoma SSC. SCPs can assist in offering personalised and broader i.e., including psychosocial SSC. Aside from personalisation, efforts should be focused on SCPs' integration in clinical practice, and their long-term maintenance.

Experiences of Men With Prostate Cancer Participating in a Clinical Pathway With a Supervised Group-based Exercise Program to Combat Androgen Deprivation-Induced Side Effects: A Qualitative Focus Group Study

ObjectivesA clinical pathway in daily practice improved implementation of evidence-based strategies for the management of androgen deprivation-induced side effects in men with prostate cancer. This study aimed to explore patients’ expectations and reasons to start with the clinical pathway; explore patients’ experiences and attitudes toward the pathway; and identify key pathway ingredients and examine patients’ attitudes about a possible transition toward the home environment after a hospital-based pathway participation. Data SourcesFocus group interviews were conducted through purposeful sampling, consisting of former and current participants of the clinical pathway at Ghent University Hospital. Data was audiotaped and transcribed verbatim, coded in NVivo12, and thematically and inductively analyzed through constant comparisons. ConclusionMen with prostate cancer have positive experiences toward the use of a holistic multidisciplinary approach (ie, clinical pathway) to combat androgen deprivation therapy-induced side effects in practice. Patients identified several key ingredients of the pathway, such as peer support, physiotherapist involvement, and availability of a multidisciplinary team. Patients were, however, reluctant to continue the exercise component at home because of negative attitudes toward a public gym, practical issues, absence of known facilitators, and other priorities. Implications for Nursing PracticeReferral by a health care provider remains an important motivator for pathway participation. Peer support, physiotherapist involvement, and availability of a multidisciplinary team are crucial components of the clinical pathway and should be taken into account when developing and implementing similar pathways to increase program uptake in daily practice.

Identifying behavioural barriers and facilitators to engaging men in a community-based lifestyle intervention to improve physical and mental health and well-being

BackgroundThere are few community-based lifestyle interventions designed to target physical and mental health of men. We conducted a qualitative focus group study with men to explore their perceived barriers and facilitators to uptake and engagement with interventions designed to improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing.MethodsA volunteer sampling approach (advertisements posted on a premier league football club’s social media) was used to recruit men aged 28 to 65 years who were interested in improving their physical and/or mental health and wellbeing. Focus group discussions were conducted at a local premier league football club to 1) explore men’s perceived barriers and facilitators to uptake of community-based interventions; 2) identify health issues considered important to address; 3) obtain participant views on how to best engage men in community-based interventions; and 4) use the findings to inform the development of a multibehavioural complex community-based intervention (called ‘The 12th Man’).ResultsSix focus group discussions were conducted (duration 27 to 57 min) involving 25 participants (median age 41 years, IQR = 21 years). Thematic analyses generated seven themes: ‘Lifestyle behaviours for both mental health and physical health’; ‘work pressures are barriers to engaging with lifestyle behaviour change’; previous injuries are barriers to engagement in physical activity and exercise’; personal and peer group relationships impact on lifestyle behaviour change’; relationships between body image and self-confidence on mastery of skills for physical activity and exercise’; building motivation and personalised goal setting’; and ‘credible individuals increase uptake and continued engagement with lifestyle behaviour change’.ConclusionsFindings suggest that a multibehavioural community-based lifestyle intervention designed for men should promote parity of esteem between physical and mental health. It should also acknowledge individual needs and preferences, emotions in the context of goal setting and planning, and be delivered by a knowledgeable and credible professional. The findings will inform the development of a multibehavioural complex community-based intervention (‘The 12th Man’).

Perceived barriers, benefits, facilitators, and attitudes of health professionals towards type 2 diabetes management in Oujda, Morocco: a qualitative focus group study

BackgroundIn Morocco, the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is mainly focused on medication and only 2% of patients are coached towards a healthier lifestyle. In Oujda, Eastern Morocco the prevalence of T2D is 10.2%, and the current trend is alarming, especially for women. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore healthcare professionals (HCP) views on the perceived barriers and benefits of an integrated care approach in primary healthcare centers (PHCCs) to T2D management in Oujda.MethodsA qualitative descriptive study using focus groups in 8 PHCCs. This resulted in a sample of 5 doctors and 25 nurses caring for diabetes patients. The transcripts of all conversations were coded to allow for thematic analysis.ResultsThe participants mentioned different barriers to an integrated approach to DM management:: excessive workload; poor reimbursement policy; lack of staff and equipment; interrupted drug supply; poor working environment; limited referral; gap in the knowledge of general practitioners; health beliefs; poverty; advanced age; gender; the use of psychotropic drugs. An integrated approach could be facilitated by simplified electronic records and referrals; uninterrupted free care; staff recruitment; continuous professional development; internships. Benefits: structured care; promotion of care in PHCCs; empowerment of self-management.ConclusionHCP views reflect the urge to strengthen the management of T2D in PHCCs. There is a need for HCP with expertise in physical activity and nutrition to solve the current gap in the multidisciplinary integrated care approach. The specific local context in this Eastern Moroccan region, with limited resources and remote hard-to-reach rural areas, can contribute to patients’ reluctance to change their lifestyles, and is a challenge to provide care in an efficient and sustainable manner. More research is needed to see how a patient-centered multidisciplinary approach to T2D management can help motivate patients in Morocco to change to a healthier lifestyle.

"There's very little that you can do other than refer them to the doctor if you think they've got postnatal depression": Scoping the potential for perinatal mental health care by community pharmacists.

Twenty percent of women in the UK develop perinatal mental health (PMH) problems, which have widespread effects on maternal and child health. Community pharmacists are ideally placed to identify PMH problems and refer to other trained healthcare professionals. This study explored community pharmacists' attitudes, current counselling practices, and barriers to providing mental health advice to perinatal women. A qualitative focus group study was performed virtually with community pharmacists (n=11), working in urban settings across London. A topic guide was used to cover current counselling practice, barriers to and confidence in counselling women, and thoughts on potential pharmacist-led perinatal mental health services. The focus groups were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis. Three themes were identified: Doing Mental Health Care; Willing, but Unable; and Introspection and reflection, which were related through a central organising concept of 'Perinatal mental health care as a new frontier for community pharmacy'. It was found that while community pharmacists provide mental health advice to perinatal women and their partners, they lacked confidence, which was related to a lack of knowledge and inadequate training opportunities. Organisational barriers were identified including a lack of a formal referral pathway to existing mental health services and other trained healthcare professionals. Perceptions of opportunities and recommendations for service improvement and change were also garnered. This study demonstrates community pharmacists have a potential role within community mental healthcare in identification of PMH problems and providing appropriate advice and support. Upskilling community pharmacists in mental health should be considered to increase knowledge and confidence while formal referral pathways to other trained healthcare professionals and existing services should be established and made available to pharmacists.

How does portfolio use support self-regulated learning during general practitioner specialty training? A qualitative focus group study

ObjectivesPortfolios are used to support self-regulated learning (SRL), but the research literature is still inconclusive on their effectiveness. This study explored experiences with portfolio use among different stakeholders, to answer...

Forensic Psychiatric Outpatients' and Therapists' Perspectives on a Wearable Biocueing App (Sense-IT) as an Addition to Aggression Regulation Therapy: Qualitative Focus Group and Interview Study.

Given the increased use of smart devices and the advantages of individual behavioral monitoring and assessment over time, wearable sensor-based mobile health apps are expected to become an important part of future (forensic) mental health care. For successful implementation in clinical practice, consideration of barriers and facilitators is of utmost importance. The aim of this study was to provide insight into the perspectives of both psychiatric outpatients and therapists in a forensic setting on the use and implementation of the Sense-IT biocueing app in aggression regulation therapy. A combination of qualitative methods was used. First, we assessed the perspectives of forensic outpatients on the use of the Sense-IT biocueing app using semistructured interviews. Next, 2 focus groups with forensic therapists were conducted to gain a more in-depth understanding of their perspectives on facilitators of and barriers to implementation. Forensic outpatients (n=21) and therapists (n=15) showed a primarily positive attitude toward the addition of the biocueing intervention to therapy, with increased interoceptive and emotional awareness as the most frequently mentioned advantage in both groups. In the semistructured interviews, patients mainly reported barriers related to technical or innovation problems (ie, connection and notification issues, perceived inaccuracy of the feedback, and limitations in the ability to personalize settings). In the focus groups with therapists, 92 facilitator and barrier codes were identified and categorized into technical or innovation level (n=13, 14%), individual therapist level (n=28, 30%), individual patient level (n=33, 36%), and environmental and organizational level (n=18, 20%). The predominant barriers were limitations in usability of the app, patients' motivation, and both therapists' and patients' knowledge and skills. Integration into treatment, expertise within the therapists' team, and provision of time and materials were identified as facilitators. The chances of successful implementation and continued use of sensor-based mobile health interventions such as the Sense-IT biocueing app can be increased by considering the barriers and facilitators from patients' and therapists' perspectives. Technical or innovation-related barriers such as usability issues should be addressed first. At the therapist level, increasing integration into daily routines and enhancing affinity with the intervention are highly recommended for successful implementation. Future research is expected to be focused on further development and personalization of biocueing interventions considering what works for whom at what time in line with the trend toward personalizing treatment interventions in mental health care.

Determining Barriers to Care in Pediatric Patients with SLE or JIA

Background and Hypothesis: Every year in the US 5,000-10,000 children develop child-onset systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), while 294,000 children are diagnosed with Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Among the affected, it remains unknown if barriers to care affect pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases. It is the goal of this study to identify what barriers to care pediatric rheumatology patients mention during focus group sessions.
 Methods: This is a qualitative focus group study. 13 focus groups, 60 minutes each with 3+ participants. Patients aged from 5-22 and their caregivers were recruited from different demographics and purposively selected for a more representative sample. Focus groups were conducted via the videoconference program Zoom and led by one facilitator in either English or Spanish. All meetings were recorded, transcribed, analyzed, and were independently coded using the constant comparison method and the NVIVO program.
 Results: Thus far, we have recruited 14 parents and 17 patients. Demographics are shown in Table 1. Guardians/parents have concerns with cost of medications and future challenges once their child reaches age 26. Among the patients, almost all expressed problems with school attendance, and adjustments to their daily life. Most concerning however, was the impact that SLE and JIA have on their social life. There were topics that participants felt they were satisfied with such as communication with medical staff and health literacy.
 Conclusion and Potential Impact: The preliminary information collected in this study showed different concerns among caretakers and patients. However, both groups suggested that a social group for children with SLE and JIA be created. The next phase of this study is to develop a survey based on these responses to try to identify patients’ and caregivers’ perspectives on barriers to care with the final goal of improving patient quality of life.

Qualitative Analysis of a Roundtable Exercise "Reflecting on the COVID-19 Experience of Public Health Professionals".

Public health professionals around the country faced significant challenges responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting on their experience is an essential element in making sense of their experience and learning from it. The objective of this qualitative study was to (1) describe the lived experiences of public health professionals working during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) discuss the effectiveness of a guided reflection exercise to help public health professionals process these experiences, and (3) provide lessons learned and best practices to inform preparation for a future infectious disease pandemic. Qualitative focus group study design. This activity was conducted at a Midwestern state public health professional meeting. Forty-eight public health professionals self-selected to participate in this study. Five themes were elicited in this analysis, including Communication, Leadership and Collaboration, Data Management, Community Relationships, and Resources and Planning. In addition, public health professionals reported numerous lessons learned, including the need for more leadership from the state government, the conflicted response of their communities, and the benefits of community solidarity where it was present. This article provides a detailed account of public health workers' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also provides lessons learned that will help public health workers lead more effectively in the future. Guided reflection on a traumatic professional experience can assist participating individuals in making sense of their experience and learning important lessons from it.

Challenges developing an electronic patient-reported outcome measurement for palliative home care: A qualitative interview and focus group study

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures have the potential to improve outcomes, quality, and effectiveness of care. Digital use of patient-reported outcome measures could be an option to foster implementation in palliative care. The Palli-MONITOR study focused on developing and testing an electronic patient-reported outcome measure in specialised palliative home care. As part of this study, we examined setting-specific challenges for the development of the measure. Aim: We aimed to identify and explore challenges for the development of electronic patient-reported outcome measures as standardised assessment in specialised palliative home care. Design: Qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Data were thematically analysed using the framework method. Setting/Participants: Patients and professionals from five German palliative home care teams. Results: Patients described potential problems in using electronic questionnaires due to their deteriorating health. Answering the electronic questionnaire encouraged patients to reflect on their current palliative situation, which was partly perceived as burdensome. Identified concerns and questions regarding the future roll-out of electronic patient-reported outcome measurement addressed the process of receiving and using the provided information in clinical care routine. Challenging factors on organisational and structural level were the potential undermining of the established 24-h emergency call system and the potential use for patients. Conclusions: Our results provide a multifaceted picture of challenges developing electronic systems for patient-reported outcome measurement in palliative home care on the individual and organisational level. The study underpins the benefit of stakeholder involvement creating digital health innovations and emphasises the importance to therefore mind setting specific culture.

Qualitative study of practices and attitudes towards physical activity among prediabetic men and women in urban and rural Malawi

ObjectivesGiven the decline in physical activity levels in Malawi, like other sub-Saharan African countries, and its implication for non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention, this study aimed to compare and contrast accounts...

Attitudes of Islamic Clerics to Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine in Iraqi Kurdistan: A Focus Group Study.

Religious beliefs may play a role in the rejection and acceptance of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines. We aimed to explore attitudes of Islamic clerics toward receiving the COVID-19 vaccines in a semi-structured qualitative focus group study. The clerics of members of the Union of Muslim Scholars of the Erbil branch were included through their representative in Iraqi Kurdistan in 2021. This study found that both acceptance and non-acceptance focus groups approved of the existence and importance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The acceptance group intended to receive COVID-19 to protect themselves and tried to convince people to receive the vaccine. However, the non-acceptance focus group did not believe in the COVID-19 vaccine due to different reasons: (1) COVID-19 vaccines have been commercialized and politicized by the governments; (2) the government makes limitations for the people due to COVID-19; (3) making fake vaccine cards; and (4) several serious side effects of COVID-19 (death, etc.) and not receiving by health care workers. The acceptance group reported that some rumors are spread in our community and impact the public to not receive COVID-19 vaccines. This study showed that some Islamic clerics have serious concerns about the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines.

Nursing Students Challenges in Studying While Working in The Era of The Covid-19 Pandemic: a Qualitative Focus Group Study

Nursing Students Challenges in Studying While Working in The Era of The Covid-19 Pandemic: a Qualitative Focus Group Study

Second-year undergraduate nursing students’ experiences with clinical simulation training in mental health clinical practice: A focus group study

AimThe aim of this focus group study was to investigate second-year undergraduate nursing students’ experiences with clinical simulation training as part of their clinical practice in acute mental health care. BackgroundThe quality of bachelor programmes in nursing has been criticised for lacking theoretical and experiential learning in the mental health modules. Novice nurses feel unprepared to care for patients with mental health challenges and graduate nurses are reported to lack the necessary knowledge and skills to manage patients with mental health issues confidently and competently. Clinical simulation training can facilitate the teaching of clinical and non-clinical skills simultaneously and is a highly suitable method within mental health care for addressing gaps in knowledge and skills in communicating with patients. Clinical simulation training may enhance nursing students' competence and thereby reduce the risk of adverse events and increase safety. However, we know little about undergraduate nursing students’ experiences with clinical simulation training as an integrated part of nursing students’ clinical practice in acute mental health wards. DesignExplorative qualitative focus group study. MethodThree focus group interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide with second-year undergraduate nursing students from a university in Norway during spring 2020. In total, 14 students who had experienced clinical simulation training as part of their mental health clinical practice participated in the study. The collected data were analysed using systematic text condensation. ResultsClinical simulation training as part of the clinical practice increased the students’ preparedness, coping and self-awareness. Most of the participants had positive perceptions of the use of high-fidelity simulation-based learning. Furthermore, they highlighted three elements that increased the value of the training. First, the simulation felt authentic and increased their professional skills. Second, the standardised patient had clinical qualifications, which made the simulation feel authentic and close to realistic situations. Third, not having a former relationship with the person acting as the standardised patient enhanced authenticity. ConclusionClinical simulation training as part of clinical practice contributed to increasing the students’ self-awareness and in-depth reflection and to broadening their nursing competence. The present study lays the groundwork for future studies on clinical simulation training in mental health clinical practice for nursing students.

Towards successful implementation of artificial intelligence in skin cancer care: a qualitative study exploring the views of dermatologists and general practitioners.

Recent studies show promising potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to assist healthcare providers (HCPs) in skin cancer care. The aim of this study is to explore the views of dermatologists and general practitioners (GPs) regarding the successful implementation of AI when assisting HCPs in skin cancer care. We performed a qualitative focus group study, consisting of six focus groups with 16 dermatologists and 17 GPs, varying in prior knowledge and experience with AI, gender, and age. An in-depth inductive thematic content analysis was deployed. Perceived benefits, barriers, and preconditions were identified as main themes. Dermatologists and GPs perceive substantial benefits of AI, particularly an improved health outcome and care pathway between primary and secondary care. Doubts about accuracy, risk of health inequalities, and fear of replacement were among the most stressed barriers. Essential preconditions included adequate algorithm content, sufficient usability, and accessibility of AI. In conclusion, dermatologists and GPs perceive significant benefits from implementing AI in skin cancer care. However, to successfully implement AI, key barriers need to be addressed. Efforts should focus on ensuring algorithm transparency, validation, accessibility for all skin types, and adequate regulation of algorithms. Simultaneously, improving knowledge about AI could reduce the fear of replacement.

'People still want a face and that's where we can fill in': a qualitative study of community pharmacists' experiences of providing healthcare advice about preconception and pregnancy.

This study aimed to explore community pharmacists' practices and attitudes towards the provision of healthcare advice regarding preconception and pregnancy. A qualitative focus group study was conducted virtually with community pharmacists around urban areas of London in October 2021. A topic guide was utilised to cover pharmacy practice, barriers and confidence in counselling women, education and training and thoughts on how to improve preconception and pregnancy health services. Focus groups were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Eleven community pharmacists participated. Three themes were identified: 'Community Driven Needs'; 'Needs of Community Pharmacists'; 'Shared Needs and Understanding' which were related through a central organising concept of 'Unmet Needs in Pharmacy-led Preconception and Pregnancy Care'. Community pharmacists are frequently consulted by women before and during pregnancy, however, a discord was uncovered between current pharmacy practice and the needs of the community. A clear need was identified for the incorporation of risk minimisation counselling focusing on smoking, alcohol intake and drug use. Education and organisational factors were reported as challenges to providing advice. Community pharmacists can play a pivotal role in providing information and support to women before and during pregnancy. Our findings suggest integration of community pharmacy-led structured counselling may be a useful public health strategy to optimise pregnancy health. Our work highlights educational and organisational barriers which hinder the ability of pharmacists to promote preconception and pregnancy health. These must be addressed, and we provide recommendations for change to both policy and practice.

Low- and Medium-Socioeconomic-Status Group Members' Perceived Challenges and Solutions for Healthy Nutrition: Qualitative Focus Group Study.

Although digital tools for healthy nutrition have shown great potential, their actual impact remains variable as digital solutions often do not fit users' needs and barriers. This is especially poignant for priority communities in society. Involving these groups in citizen science may have great benefits even beyond the increase in knowledge of the lives and experiences of these groups. However, this requires specialized skills. Participants from priority groups could benefit from an approach that offers sensitization and discussion to help them voice their needs regarding healthy nutrition and technology to support healthy eating. This study aimed to gather insights into people's thoughts on everyday eating practices, self-regulation in healthy eating, and skill acquisition and on applying technological innovations to these domains. Participants answered 3 daily questionnaires to garner their current practices regarding habits, self-regulation, skills, and technology use surrounding healthy eating and make it easier for them to collect their thoughts and experiences (sensitization). Within a week of filling out the 3 questionnaires, participants took part in a web-based focus group discussion session. All sessions were transcribed and analyzed using a thematic qualitative approach. A total of 42 people took part in 7 focus group interviews of 6 people each. The analysis showed that participants would like to receive support from technology for a broad range of aspects of nutrition, such as measuring the effect their personal nutrition has on their individual health, providing them with reliable product information, giving them practical guidance for healthy eating and snacking, and reducing the burden of registering food intake. Technology should be easy to use, reduce burdens, and be tailored to personal situations. Privacy and cost were major concerns for the participants. This study shows that people from low- and medium-socioeconomic-status groups have a need for specific support in tailoring their knowledge of healthy nutrition to their own situation and see technology as a means to achieve this.