Focus Groups for the Health Workforce Retention Study

By the end of this day’s session, you will be able to: Describe what qualitative research is and when to

use it Understand the goals of the Health Workforce

Retention Study focus groups Identify roles and responsibilities of each team

member participating in the focus groups Understand how to facilitate a focus group for the

Health Workforce Retention Project

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research

Why are we doing both qualitative and quantitative research as part of this study?

Complements the quantitative data Provides us with more in-depth information Allows us to discuss topics that we didn’t know were

important Provides a “human” element to the research through

stories and examples

Focus Groups

Facilitated discussion which depends on group interaction to get more detailed information on a topic.

Gathers people with similar experience to discuss a topic of interest to the researcher.

Uses open-ended questions to hear to collect information about people’s feelings, values, and ideas.

The purpose is not to come to a consensus; participants can agree and disagree.

Health Workforce Retention Study Focus Groups

Goals:

To gather in-depth information about the specific factors influencing job satisfaction for health workers.

To gather information on how policies might be changed to encourage health workers to stay in their positions.

Structure of Focus Groups

No more than 15 participants Ideally no less than 6 participants No managers Organized by peer group Need comfortable space - participants should

face each other Food and drink provided Always set ground rules

Roles and Responsibilities

Facilitator

Discussion leader; control the session and keep the group on topic

Responsible for the directing the discussion using the “discussion script.”

Judge whether unexpected responses will contribute to objectives of the study

Manage group dynamics Act as a good listener and encourage discussion

and participation

Note-Taker

Take notesRecord commentsRecord non-verbal messages

Responsible for tape recorder“Back-up” moderator

Observer Skills

Note-taking Summarize each person’s response Include direct quotes of interesting

comments. Keep summary true to what participants

intended. Fill in missing details immediately after

the session.

Observer Skills, cont.

Tape recording Check to see that voices can be heard. Tell participants the session will be tape recorded. Place the microphone in the center of the group. Replace tape when first one is full.

Observation skills Tone of voice Body language Facial expressions Posture

Stages of the Focus Group

Introductions (approximately 10 minutes)

Rapport Building Stage (approximately 10 minutes)

In-Depth Discussion (approximately 45 minutes)

Closure (approximately 5 minutes)

Be Prepared!

Mentally alertMemorize questionsCheck tape recorderCheck that voices can be heard on tapeBring spare batteries and tapesMake sure you have name tags, pens,

paper, sign-in sheetsGet food and drink for the group

Setting Up

Arrive before participants. Note-taker should set up outside the room at the

doorway to sign people in and give consent forms.

Welcome participants as if hosting friends. Talk about something other than the Health

Workforce Retention Study. Avoid controversial subjects. Give participants name tags or name tents. Observe participants.

Debriefing

Immediately write down your thoughts and what you remember from the discussion

Meet with the other team member who participated in the focus group to discuss all aspects of the session. Logistics Check responses, review themes Team skills and performance Was the required information obtained?

Put consent forms and notes from focus group in data box.

Let’s Practice

We need 5 volunteers to participate in a practice focus group.

Please refer to your focus group protocol on page 18 of the manual.

Encouraging and Controlling Discussion

Encouraging discussion

Atmosphere Maintain a friendly and warm

attitude. Do not judge what participants say. Aim to be somewhat casual, but not

too much.

Encouraging discussion

Pauses and prompts Pauses to allow participants to think or a

new speaker to comment. A pause can last up to 5 seconds. Establishing eye contact can encourage

someone to speak. Nodding and other gestures can also

encourage people.

Encouraging discussion

Probes. If a participant makes a vague comment, ask him/her for more information:

“Could you explain that further?” “Would you give me an example of

what you mean?” “I don’t understand.”

Encouraging discussion

If you are not getting an answer, first repeat the question.If you are still not getting an answer, rephrase the

question. Use Reminder questions.

e.g. “Dr. Y said that salary is an important factor for making job decisions. Dr. Y, how important is salary in your job decisions?”

Call on people individually if necessary.

Dealing with Specific Individuals

Dominant talkers

Should not be allowed to “take over” the focus group Remind group that all participants have knowledge and

you want to hear from everyone. Seat next to moderator Moderator turn slightly away from dominant talker and

avoid eye contact. Thank dominant talker for comments and ask for

comments from others in the group.

Dealing with Specific Individuals

Shy participants Seat them across from moderator Moderator makes eye contact to

encourage participant to speak. Gently address him/her by name to

ask for a comment.

Dealing with Specific Individuals

People who don’t stop talking. Stop eye contact after 20 or 30

seconds. When participant pauses, quickly

repeat question or ask a new question of another participant.