Targeting Measurable Health Actions Using a Theory-Structured Blinded Focus Group Process
Abstract
Most focus groups use open discussion to brainstorm, uncover barriers and opportunities, and to address difficult questions. The open-ended process has advantages, but also disadvantages, such as smaller group size, risk of embarrassment, and the risk of a few people dominating the conversation. The blinded fishbone focus group technique is a structured nominal group process which allows a larger number of participants, who anonymously note concerns or answer questions on adhesive notes. These are collected, grouped according to theoretical constructs (in this case the health belief model), and written by a moderator on a fishbone diagram. No one knows who wrote what. This process can allow for more open discussion of difficult and controversial topics, such as masking due to the pandemic. Items are also rated anonymously, which allows for identification of priority areas. Priority areas are structured using a model such as the health belief model, to create measurable messages and interventions to enhance health motivation. The theory-structured focus group process is particularly applicable to Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR). Workshop participants will demonstrate principles of the application of the theory-structured focus group process to a targeted health priority. Participants will use a fishbone design and rating template, which allows creation of evidence-based measurable targeted messages and programing. Applications to the eight dimensions of wellness will also be discussed, as well as applications and preliminary results from recent CBPR collaborations.
Keywords
Focus Group, Targeted Messages, Nominal Group Process, Theory, Motivation, Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)
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Targeting Measurable Health Actions Using a Theory-Structured Blinded Focus Group Process
Most focus groups use open discussion to brainstorm, uncover barriers and opportunities, and to address difficult questions. The open-ended process has advantages, but also disadvantages, such as smaller group size, risk of embarrassment, and the risk of a few people dominating the conversation. The blinded fishbone focus group technique is a structured nominal group process which allows a larger number of participants, who anonymously note concerns or answer questions on adhesive notes. These are collected, grouped according to theoretical constructs (in this case the health belief model), and written by a moderator on a fishbone diagram. No one knows who wrote what. This process can allow for more open discussion of difficult and controversial topics, such as masking due to the pandemic. Items are also rated anonymously, which allows for identification of priority areas. Priority areas are structured using a model such as the health belief model, to create measurable messages and interventions to enhance health motivation. The theory-structured focus group process is particularly applicable to Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR). Workshop participants will demonstrate principles of the application of the theory-structured focus group process to a targeted health priority. Participants will use a fishbone design and rating template, which allows creation of evidence-based measurable targeted messages and programing. Applications to the eight dimensions of wellness will also be discussed, as well as applications and preliminary results from recent CBPR collaborations.
