Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Practical guidance for preparing and conducting hybrid focus groups and online interviews with consumers for cancer research  (#346)

Xanthia E Bourdaniotis 1 , Susannah K Ayre 1 2 , Leah Zajdlewicz 1 , Belinda C Goodwin 1 3 4 , Elizabeth (Lizzy) A Johnston 1 2 5
  1. Viertel Cancer Research Centre, Cancer Council Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  2. School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  3. Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
  4. School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  5. Population Health Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Aims

While detailed methodological guidance is available for analysing data from focus groups and interviews, practical advice for how to recruit, prepare, and conduct these sessions, particularly in hybrid formats (i.e., online and/or in-person), is limited. Based on our experience recruiting a diverse sample of consumers to co-design and test study materials for a population-based cancer survivorship study, we provide practical recommendations for recruiting, preparing for, and conducting focus groups and interviews with community members for cancer research.

Method

After conducting 15 hybrid focus groups and 20 online interviews with 52 consumers (27% rural/ remote, 15% born overseas, 6% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander), we reviewed our protocols, recruitment documentation, field notes, and session transcripts to identify effective strategies for recruiting a diverse sample and supporting meaningful and productive consumer engagement. 

Findings

We created two resources with 11 recommendations for preparing and conducting hybrid focus groups and online interviews with consumers. The first resource provides a 6-item checklist for session recruitment and preparation with practical examples for how to complete each item: i) define and document recruitment procedures, ii) use multiple recruitment methods to recruit a diverse sample, iii) implement multiple strategies to prevent and detect fraudulent online sign-ups, iv) offer flexible participation options, v) develop and pilot visual session materials, and vi) nominate lead and support facilitators (focus groups only). The second resource provides 5 practical strategies for conducting the sessions with examples for how to implement these in practice: i) allow time to get started, ii) invite focused participation, iii) keep track of time, iv) facilitate productive and insightful conversations, and v) debrief after sessions for continuous quality improvement.

Implications 

These resources can support students, researchers, and healthcare professionals to optimise consumers’ experience of participating in cancer research, ensuring consumer engagement is meaningful and productive for all.