Using Asynchronous Online Focus Groups to Capture Healthcare Professional Opinions

LaForge, Kate; Gray, Mary Tod; Stack, Erin; Livingston, Catherine J.; Hildebran, Christi

doi:10.1177/16094069221095658

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…The final consideration was related to both the researchers’ and the participants’ technical competence working with Teams. Navigating the technical difficulties associated with any type of virtual research modality is well documented (Halliday et al, 2021; LaForge et al, 2022; Marques et al, 2021). Using technological interventions for synchronous or asynchronous focus groups may limit the access of some participants (LaForge et al, 2022), prove difficult for older individuals to learn new functionality (Gordon et al, 2021), and pose a challenge for those with poorer typing efficacy.…”

Section: Results and Methodological Observationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such interactions were limited or impossible during the pandemic, leading many researchers to conduct their focus groups online (e.g., Dodds & Hess, 2020; Marques et al, 2021). The idea of facilitating focus groups online is not new (Kalbfleisch & Eckley, 2003; Morgan & Lobe, 2011; Williams et al, 2012), and resources are available for facilitating best practices in this context (Chase & Alvarez, 2000; LaForge et al, 2022). This method helps combat some barriers to traditional face-to-face focus groups such as participant drop-out, difficulty recruiting geographically diverse participants, and personality traits like shyness which limit participation (Stewart & Shamdasani, 2017; Tausch & Menold, 2016; Tuttas, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using Microsoft Teams to Facilitate Asynchronous Online Focus Groups

Frey,

Bloch

2023

International Journal of Qualitative Methods

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The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges to researchers engaged in qualitative research. Such methods often require the use of in-person methods of data collection and were greatly interrupted during this time of global emergency. Yet, navigating this altered terrain presented opportunities to reflect on the traditional methodological landscape. In this paper, we reflect on the use of Microsoft Teams to facilitate multiple asynchronous online focus groups. We draw on the findings from a study of researchers focused on translational medicine, who work in disparate locations and often have conflicting schedules, to show how the use of this approach facilitated active communication between individuals who otherwise rarely interact. Specifically, we reflect on five ways that Microsoft Teams both enhanced and challenged traditional focus group practice. We consider how (1) conversational sequence, (2) discussion moderation, (3) nonverbal cues, (4) supporting information, and (5) technical competencies relate to using this approach. This results in several reflections intended to help future researchers prepare to facilitate asynchronous online focus groups using Teams. Specifically, we highlight our experiences in terms of participant interaction, iterative reflections, and data management. Ultimately, we argue that this approach adds an important and powerful tool to the qualitative methodological toolkit.

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Section: Results and Methodological Observationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Microsoft Teams to Facilitate Asynchronous Online Focus Groups

Frey,

Bloch

2023

International Journal of Qualitative Methods

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“…This was an important consideration, as the data collection occurred when the movements of South African citizens were restricted due to COVID-19 regulations. Asynchronous (text-based) online focus groups have been reported to improve the experience for focus group participants 17 . It has been reported that participants in asynchronous online focus groups may feel more comfortable to provide diverse opinions due to the perceived anonymity of the online format 18 .…”

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The lived experiences of South African occupational therapists regarding the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on their wellness

Van Niekerk,

Balbadhura,

Castelijn

et al. 2023

S. Afr. j. occup. ther.

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Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic impacted the wellness of health professionals around the world. In order to ensure that healthcare systems are sustainably able to provide services during times of emergency, the health and wellness of health professionals should be safeguarded. The researchers were interested in exploring the impact of the first wave of the pandemic on the holistic wellness of South African occupational therapists and to identify strategies therapists employed to facilitate their own wellness. Method: The study followed a qualitative research design with phenomenological characteristics. Two asynchronous (text-based) online focus groups were conducted, each with eight participants. Participants providing occupational therapy services in different fields of practice and in different contexts were purposefully selected. Participants in both groups were asked a series of five questions in an online forum over a period of six days. Two researchers facilitated interaction within the groups to encourage in depth discussions. Results and Discussion: The data were analysed by means of deductive thematic analysis, whereby the dimensions of holistic wellness were used to guide analysis. The results illustrate the pervasive influence the COVID-19 pandemic had on the wellness of South African occupational therapists. Conclusion: Lessons learnt are discussed to facilitate the preparedness of South African occupational therapists for future pandemics. Implications for practice • Occupational therapists should endeavour to prioritise theirown wellness to the best of their abilities. • Occupational therapists should utilise familiar strategies to facilitate their own wellness during future highly stressful times, such as during future pandemics or states of emergency. • Occupational therapists may be excellently positioned to facilitate the fostering of wellness of other HPs in the professional team.

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“…Furthermore, participants are also allowed the opportunity to respond to each other. The asynchronous groups could accommodate the research participants with limited time as they could respond to the questions and add to the discussion at any time that suited them best throughout the three days 22 . Additionally, by using an online focus group, the researchers could comply with the regulations imposed to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Section: Data Collection Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The situation in disadvantaged communities, particularly in informal dwellings, stood in stark contrast to this image 21 . Challenges in disadvantaged communities were overcrowding, poor sanitation, lack of access to personal protective equipment such as masks 22 , and most notably, a dire lack of food and basic supplies. This contributed to hunger riots 23 , shop looting 24 and confrontation with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) 25 .…”

Section: The Implications Of the Covid-19 Lockdown On South Africansmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical activity resource needs of occupational therapists in primary public health care in Gauteng, South Africa

van Niekerk,

da Silva,

Swart

et al. 2023

S. Afr. j. occup. ther.

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INTRODUCTION: Resource constraints in primary health care settings in South Africa give rise to challenges for occupational therapists. This study aimed to determine the physical activity resource needs (including objects used and space demands) of occupational therapists in the primary health care context of Gauteng, South Africa METHOD: A qualitative, descriptive research design was used. The participants were occupational therapists working in primary health care settings in Gauteng. Convenience and snowball sampling were used. Data were collected through two online asynchronised focus groups, conducted over three days each. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data FINDINGS: Findings included the resource constraints experienced by occupational therapists and how the occupational therapists' adaptability helped them overcome these constraints. Space, resources for basic and instrumental activities of daily living, assistive devices, Bobath plinths and recyclable and low-cost materials were identified as being particularly useful physical activity resource needs CONCLUSION: Although limited physical activity resources were available in the settings, therapists' skills in adaptability proved useful in using unconventional resources instead. This study's results identify physical resources deemed as most useful to provide occupational therapy services in primary health care. Furthermore, the results provide information to the education faculty in order to adapt the undergraduate curriculum to better prepare occupational therapy students for practice in primary health care Implications for practice • The findings can be communicated to management of primary health care facilities in order to procure or advocate for the procurement of resources deemed as essential in primary health care practice contexts. • Innovation, problem-solving and adaptability can be valuable characteristics used in professional reasoning that may enable occupational therapists to overcome physical resource barriers. • Faculty at tertiary educational institutions may utilise the findings in order to adapt curriculums to better prepare occupational therapists for work in the South African primary health care context. • Occupational therapy students should gain experience in developing and adapting activities using recyclable and reusable materials for diverse clients, including children and adults.

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Using Asynchronous Online Focus Groups to Capture Healthcare Professional Opinions

Cited by 8 publications

References 47 publications

Using Microsoft Teams to Facilitate Asynchronous Online Focus Groups

Using Microsoft Teams to Facilitate Asynchronous Online Focus Groups

The lived experiences of South African occupational therapists regarding the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on their wellness

Physical activity resource needs of occupational therapists in primary public health care in Gauteng, South Africa

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