A new use for focus groups--building and empowering a culturally diverse team.
BACKGROUND
The success of a cultural diversity training program in an acute care health facility was due in large part to the use of the focus group method.


METHODS
This method enabled us to identify sensitive issues to be addressed in educational programs for staff. Some of the criteria for successful use of the focus group method applied to our situation.


RESULTS
We found that much of the traditional wisdom did not necessarily apply in a diversity program.


CONCLUSIONS
Several additional benefits such as ethnic group empowerment and the enhancement of a more team-oriented approach made use of the focus group method a very worthwhile venture for this project.
Hellman
S
S
Saint Mary's College of California, School of Extended Education, Moraga 94575, USA.
Baker
L
L
D002140:California; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011287:Prejudice