Asynchronous online focus groups for research with people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and family caregivers: usefulness, acceptability and lessons learned

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Research

Shelagh K. Genuis¹  Wendy S. Johnston¹  Westerly Luth¹  Tania Bubela²  Garnette Weber³ 

[1] Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, 7-123 Clinical Sciences Building, T6G 2B7, Edmonton, AB, Canada;Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Blusson Hall 11328 8888 University Drive, V5A 1S6, Burnaby, BC, Canada;itracks, Saskatoon, SK, Canada;

关键词: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis;    Online focus groups;    Research design;    Patients;    Family caregivers;    Research participation;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12874-023-02051-y

 received in 2022-09-29, accepted in 2023-09-28,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundPeople with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) face disability- and travel-related barriers to research participation. We investigate the usefulness and acceptability of asynchronous, online focus groups (AOFGs) for research involving people affected by ALS (patients and family caregivers) and outline lessons learned.MethodsThe ALS Talk Project, consisting of seven AOFGs and 100 participants affected by ALS, provided context for this investigation. Hosted on the secure itracks Board™ platform, participants interacted in a threaded web forum structure. Moderators posted weekly discussion questions and facilitated discussion. Data pertaining to methodology, participant interaction and experience, and moderator technique were analyzed using itracks and NVivo 12 analytics (quantitative) and conventional content analysis and the constant-comparative approach (qualitative).ResultsThere was active engagement within groups, with post lengths averaging 111.48 words and a complex network of branching interactions between participants. One third of participant responses included individual reflections without further interaction. Participants affirmed their co-group members, offered practical advice, and discussed shared and differing perspectives. Moderators responded to all posts, indicating presence and probing answers. AOFGs facilitated qualitative and quantitative data-gathering and flexible response to unanticipated events. Although total participation fell below 50% after 10–12 weeks, participants valued interacting with peers in an inclusive, confidential forum. Participants used a variety of personal devices, browsers, and operating systems when interacting on the online platform.ConclusionsThis methodological examination of AOFGs for patient-centred investigations involving people affected by ALS demonstrates their usefulness and acceptability, and advances knowledge of online research methodologies. Lessons learned include: early identification of research goals and participant needs is critical to selecting an AOFG platform; although duration longer than 10–12 weeks may be burdensome in this population, participants were positive about AOFGs; AOFGs offer real world flexibility enabling response to research challenges and opportunities; and, AOGFs can effectively foster safe spaces for sharing personal perspectives and discussing sensitive topics. With moderators playing an important role in fostering engagement, AOFGs facilitated rich data gathering and promoted reciprocity by fostering the exchange of ideas and interaction between peers. Findings may have implications for research involving other neurologically impaired and/or medically vulnerable populations.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2023

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