title: The use of focus groups to assist in the design and implementation of a new nursing practice model.
abstract: Focus groups facilitate change in healthcare institutions by providing comparative perceptions of all levels of healthcare staff in the environment, obtaining impressions of new options for healthcare delivery for which no information is available, and stimulating new ideas to improve cost-effective quality care. The authors discuss their experience using this data gathering and evaluation approach during the planning and implementation of a new nursing practice model. Factors to consider when using focus groups are offered, and lessons learned from the experience are presented.
authors.affiliation: University of South Florida, College of Nursing, Tampa, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: VanCott
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Lengacher
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Heinemann
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mabe
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Swymer
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bistritz
mesh_terms: D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D011367:Professional Staff Committees / Q000458:organization & administration; D016730:Program Development