Focus groups - ECHoS - Cancer Missions Hubs

Introduction

A focus group is a qualitative research method used to gather insights from a selected group of individuals through guided discussions. Focus groups can be used in a variety of settings and applications and help deliver insights from a group of people regarding specific topics and questions. This method is widely used in market research, social sciences, and healthcare studies to explore perceptions, opinions, attitudes, and experiences. Unlike surveys or structured interviews, focus groups allow for interactive discussions, where participants can react to and build upon each other’s responses, leading to deeper insights.

Key advantages of focus groups include the ability to capture rich, detailed feedback and uncover unanticipated issues or trends. However, potential challenges include group dynamics, social desirability bias, and moderator influence, which can impact the quality of the discussion.

Focus groups are often used in combination with other research methods (e.g., surveys, in-depth interviews) to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

Key characteristics

Focus groups are small, structured group discussions designed to gather insights, opinions, and experiences from participants on a specific topic. In the context of patient and citizen engagement, they serve as a platform to understand the needs, preferences, and challenges faced by patients or the general public, especially in areas like healthcare and research.

In healthcare and specifically in cancer they can be utilized to explore attitudes, perceptions, and ideas about healthcare services, treatments, informational material or policies as well as to identify unmet needs or gaps in care. The acceptability, usability, or impact of interventions or innovations can be accessed through focus groups.

Methodological aspects

In a focus group usually 6 to 12 individuals with shared experiences or characteristics (e.g., cancer patients, caregivers) discuss open ended questions moderated by a trained facilitator in sessions lasting 1-2 hours.

The outcomes are qualitative data capturing in-depth insights and narratives.

Step by Step

? How to perform a focus group?

Conducting a focus group involves several essential steps to ensure meaningful discussions and actionable outcomes.

1. Step 1

The first step is planning, which begins with defining clear objectives. For instance, the goal might be to understand the challenges faced by breast cancer survivors or to assess patient needs in a new healthcare initiative. Once the objectives are set, participants can be recruited through patient advocacy groups, healthcare clinics, or community organizations to ensure a diverse and representative group.

2. Step 2

The next step involves designing the discussion guide, which serves as the framework for the conversation. This includes developing open-ended questions that encourage participants to share their experiences and perspectives. Examples might include, “What were the biggest challenges you faced during your cancer treatment?” or “How can healthcare providers better support you emotionally?” It is also important to incorporate probing topics to explore areas of interest while leaving room for unexpected themes.

3. Step 3

With the guide in place, the focus shifts to conducting the sessions. Creating a comfortable and safe environment is crucial, as it encourages participants to openly share their thoughts. Active listening plays a key role during these discussions, with facilitators using probing and follow-up questions to clarify and deepen understanding. Ensuring participants feel heard and respected helps foster a productive dialogue. A skilled moderator should also manage dominant voices to ensure a balanced and equal discussion.

4. Step 4

The final step is analysis and reporting, where the data gathered during the sessions is reviewed and synthesized. Transcripts of the discussions are analyzed to identify recurring themes, unique insights, and actionable findings. These results are then compiled into a clear and accessible report to inform stakeholders and guide future initiatives. To turn insights into action, decision-makers should be early engaged and findings should be presented with clear, actionable recommendations.

Benefits

Deep Insights

Capture nuanced opinions and emotions that surveys might miss

Empowerment

Give patients and citizens a platform to voice their concerns and needs.

Collaboration

Facilitate co-creation of solutions between stakeholders

Relevance

Ensure policies, programs, or research reflect the real-world experiences of patients and citizens.

Examples in Cancer- a non exhaustive list

Research Methodological aspects for focus groups in health research (in German)

https://www.gesis.org/fileadmin/upload/forschung/publikationen/gesis_reihen/gesis_papers/GESIS-Papers_2015-12.pdf

Research Cancer prevention in dialogue

Link: https://www.helmholtz.de/transfer/innovations-und-foerderprogramme/wissenstransfer/

Research EU Mission on cancer (asynchronous focus groups)

To ensure that the voices of citizens and patients are heard at all stages of the development and implementation of the Mission, a number of citizen engagement activities around the Mission Against Cancer have been organized. Because of the outbreak of Covid-19, most activities were organized online and a mixture of types of focus group discussion was used. Two meetings took place as so-called asynchronous focus groups (one in May and one in August/September). Group members consisted of citizens from different (in total 26) European countries, and discussions were moderated in English through a secure online platform on which participants could respond to questions and engage in a dialogue over a course of 2 weeks, among others reflecting on the proposed Mission’s goal, areas for action and recommendations for cancer prevention and screening, treatment and care, and quality of life and survivorship support. These same topic areas were also addressed in a number of national level events, facilitated by a local moderator in the national language. For all meetings, the aim was to involve as many different citizens as possible. Both younger and older participants were represented, and many of them were experience experts such as patients, survivors and their families. Some participants were also professionally involved, e.g. working in patient advocacy. Although other citizens did not have personal experiences with cancer, it became clear that all were able to draw from experiences and observations from their personal networks, showcasing the fact that cancer is something that affects all citizens in the EU.

Link: Conquering cancer, mission possible – European Commission

Health & Care FUTURE study

The “FUTURE” Study in Canada utilized focus groups to explore the impact of cancer diagnosis and treatment on the sexual and reproductive health of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients. This study introduced a framework for meaningful engagement with AYA cancer patient research partners, highlighting the importance of involving patients in evaluating and developing supportive digital tools.

Link: MDPI

Health & Care Exploring Quality of Life

A qualitative focus group study was conducted to understand how individuals treated for different types of cancer (breast, prostate, or blood cancers) engaged with exercise and physical activity since diagnosis. This study provided insights into the challenges and needs of cancer survivors regarding physical activity.

Link: BMJ Open

Prevention/Screening Screening Materials

Focus groups on lung cancer screening material

Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29679265/

Prevention/Screening Screening barriers

Focus group for black woman breast cancer screening barriers, USA

Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37131066/

Resources

Cancer research UK

Cancer Research UK

Association of Community Cancer Centers: Tool for shared decision making

Shared decision making

Canadian Cancer Society

Tools for Researchers