Increase Effectiveness of Teaching with Focus Groups

Research shows over and over again that patient education is most effective when it is individualized to the needs of the learner. When preparing an educational program, it is important to determine what you want to achieve and who you are trying to reach. A focus group is one of the ways to assess your audience.

For example, before preparing a web-based educational intervention to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, researchers interviewed 12 focus groups (total of 137 participants) to find out their perceptions of healthy eating, and factors that promote or hinder consumption of fruits and vegetables. They also asked about features they would prefer in a web-based educational program. With this information the program was designed to meet the needs of the learners, to enhance effectiveness.

Knowing your audience is especially important when spending the time and money to create an educational program. How you present the information will determine whether or not it will be heard, understood, and applied. Modify your approach to reach your audience, and spend your resources wisely. If you don’t know how to conduct a focus group, there is much useful information on the Internet to get you started, or you can consult an expert.

Resources:

Rolnick, S. J., Calvi, J., Heimendinger, J., McClure, J. B., Kelley, M., Johnson, C., et al. (2009). Focus groups inform a web-based program to increase fruit and vegetable intake. Patient Educ Couns, 77(2), 314-318.

Basics of Conducting Focus Groups http://managementhelp.org/evaluatn/focusgrp.htm

General Guidelines for Conducting Interviews http://www.managementhelp.org/evaluatn/intrview.htm

One Response to “Increase Effectiveness of Teaching with Focus Groups”

1. physician assistant says:

   April 20, 2010 at 6:22 pm

   this post is very usefull thx!