The use of focus group methodology in health disparities research.
Focus group methodology uses focused interviews to obtain information from individuals and interactions among individuals in a small group setting. In this article we share the insights we have gained from using focus group methodology in work with an under-served population of black menopausal women. This methodology holds promise for advancing our understanding of, and ultimately eliminating, health disparities. Included is a discussion of planning and facilitating the focus group, recruiting group members, collecting and analyzing the data and reporting the results. Throughout, we explain how we applied these principles and we conclude by sharing lessons learned from our study on menopause and midlife experiences in Black women.
College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059, USA. cruff@howard.edu
Coralease C
CC
Ruff
Ivy M
IM
Alexander
Charmaine
C
McKie
D001741:Black or African American / Q000193:education / Q000208:ethnology; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D003142:Communication; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D017144:Focus Groups / Q000379:methods*; D006126:Group Processes; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008593:Menopause / Q000208:ethnology; D018579:Patient Selection; D010934:Planning Techniques; D016730:Program Development; D012107:Research Design; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014930:Women / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology