Transitioning Focus Group Research to a Videoconferencing Environment: A Descriptive Analysis of Interactivity
Cristine B. Henage,
Stefanie P. Ferreri,
Courtney Schlusser,
Tamera D. Hughes,
Lori T. Armistead,
Casey J. Kelley,
Joshua D. Niznik,
Jan Busby-Whitehead,
Ellen Roberts
Affiliations
Cristine B. Henage
Center for Aging and Health, Division of Geriatric Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
Stefanie P. Ferreri
Division of Practice Advancement and Clinical Education, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
Courtney Schlusser
Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
Tamera D. Hughes
Division of Practice Advancement and Clinical Education, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
Lori T. Armistead
Division of Practice Advancement and Clinical Education, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
Casey J. Kelley
Center for Aging and Health, Division of Geriatric Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
Joshua D. Niznik
Center for Aging and Health, Division of Geriatric Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
Jan Busby-Whitehead
Center for Aging and Health, Division of Geriatric Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
Ellen Roberts
Center for Aging and Health, Division of Geriatric Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted face-to-face interactions in healthcare research, with many studies shifting to video-based data collection for qualitative research. This study describes the interactivity achieved in a videoconferencing focus group of seven primary care providers discussing deprescribing opioids and benzodiazepines. Researchers reviewed video footage of a focus group conducted via Zoom and assessed interactivity using Morgan’s framework for focus group communication processes. Two reviewers categorized the type of exchanges as sharing information, comparing experiences, organizing, and conceptualizing the content, as well as validating each other or galvanizing the discussion with “lightning strike” ideas. The conversation dynamics in this focus group included clear examples of interactivity in each of the categories proposed by Morgan (validating, sharing, comparing, organizing, conceptualizing, and lightning strikes) that were observed by two different reviewers with demonstrated high interrater reliability. Conducting focus groups with a skilled moderator using videoconferencing platforms with primary care providers is a viable option that produces sufficient levels of interaction.
