Patient satisfaction with chronic pain management.
BACKGROUND
This article describes the use of focus groups in research, including the advantages and disadvantages of using this type of research methodology. Using an example of a focus group of patients who experienced chronic pain, the authors discuss the planning, organisation, conduct and analysis of focus groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Focus groups enabled an exploration of the topics in-depth including obtaining insight from a patient's perspective of the management of their chronic pain. It was important and of value to take into account the experiences and expectations of health service delivery from a consumer's perspective.
McHugh
G
G
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, University of Manchester. gretl.mchugh@man.ac.uk
Thoms
G
G
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003142:Communication; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017144:Focus Groups / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research / Q000379:methods*; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012107:Research Design; D012657:Self-Help Groups