Report from the CDC. Telephone focus groups: an emerging method in public health research.
BACKGROUND
The focus group is a widely used qualitative method in public health research. Typically, focus groups involve face-to-face interaction, although focus groups have also been conducted via telephone conference calls.


METHODS
The indexed medical and social sciences literature was reviewed to assess what is empirically known about the telephone focus group method and how this method has been used to explore health topics.


RESULTS
Thirteen studies reported in 16 publications were found that used telephone focus groups. Of the 13 studies, 12 investigated health topics, and none explored any methodological issues. Some health studies used the telephone focus group method exclusively, whereas others used it in conjunction with additional methods. The studies involved a variety of lay and professional populations in six countries and explored a range of topics. Several of the studies included participants from a wide geographic area, such as across the entire United States. Two rationales for using the telephone focus group method were reported: assembling geographically disparate participants and increasing participant anonymity by eliminating visual contact.


CONCLUSIONS
Health researchers appear to be the primary users of the telephone focus group method for academic research. The telephone focus group method may be especially useful in health studies involving populations that do not have adequate representation in any single region and studies investigating sensitive topics. Methods studies are needed to compare the group dynamics of telephone and in-person focus groups and determine the most appropriate size and duration for telephone focus groups.
Cooper
Crystale Purvis
CP
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA. ccooper@cdc.gov
Jorgensen
Cynthia M
CM
Merritt
Tracie L
TL
D001294:Attitude to Health; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D017144:Focus Groups / Q000379:methods; D006126:Group Processes; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D011634:Public Health; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013689:Telephone; D014481:United States