title: Consumer-based research: using focus groups as a method for evaluating quality of care.
abstract: In response to the consumer movement, health care organizations have become interested in obtaining feedback through face-to-face contacts with the people using their products and services. Focus groups are one qualitative research method of obtaining rich information within a social context. The article discusses the purpose, design, and methodology of focus groups, and a case example is given. Focus groups can add to existing knowledge about how well services are being delivered or what new products might be developed in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of California at Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Beaudin
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Pelletier
mesh_terms: D003153:Community Health Services / Q000592:standards; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D015141:Los Angeles; D011787:Quality of Health Care