Fictitious cases as a methodology to discuss sensitive health topics in focus groups
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Fictitious cases as a methodology to discuss sensitive health topics in focus groups. / Gram, Emma Grundtvig; Brodersen, John Brandt; Hansen, Cæcilie; Pickles, Kristen; Smith, Jenna; Jønsson, Alexandra Ryborg Brandt.
In: International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, Vol. 18, No. 1, 2023.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Fictitious cases as a methodology to discuss sensitive health topics in focus groups
AU - Gram, Emma Grundtvig
AU - Brodersen, John Brandt
AU - Hansen, Cæcilie
AU - Pickles, Kristen
AU - Smith, Jenna
AU - Jønsson, Alexandra Ryborg Brandt
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - PurposeIt can be challenging to research aspects of people’s health behaviour, attitudes, and emotions due to the sensitive nature of these topics. We aimed to develop a novel methodology for discussing sensitive health topics, and explore the effectiveness in focus groups using prostate cancer and screening as an example.MethodWe developed a fictitious case and employed it as a projective technique in focus groups on prostate cancer and screening. The participants were men and their partners who lived in Denmark.ResultsThe technique encouraged emotional and cognitive openness in focus group discussions about the risk of prostate cancer, the benefits and harms of screening, and decision-making about screening. It appeared that using the fictitious case allowed the participants to personally distance themselves from the topic, project emotions onto the case, and thereby openly talk about their emotions.ConclusionThis article presents a methodological contribution to communication about sensitive topics in focus groups, using prostate cancer screening as an example. Further refinement of the methodology is needed to enable participants to transfer improvements in knowledge to their own decision about screening.
AB - PurposeIt can be challenging to research aspects of people’s health behaviour, attitudes, and emotions due to the sensitive nature of these topics. We aimed to develop a novel methodology for discussing sensitive health topics, and explore the effectiveness in focus groups using prostate cancer and screening as an example.MethodWe developed a fictitious case and employed it as a projective technique in focus groups on prostate cancer and screening. The participants were men and their partners who lived in Denmark.ResultsThe technique encouraged emotional and cognitive openness in focus group discussions about the risk of prostate cancer, the benefits and harms of screening, and decision-making about screening. It appeared that using the fictitious case allowed the participants to personally distance themselves from the topic, project emotions onto the case, and thereby openly talk about their emotions.ConclusionThis article presents a methodological contribution to communication about sensitive topics in focus groups, using prostate cancer screening as an example. Further refinement of the methodology is needed to enable participants to transfer improvements in knowledge to their own decision about screening.
U2 - 10.1080/17482631.2023.2233253
DO - 10.1080/17482631.2023.2233253
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 37463336
VL - 18
JO - International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
JF - International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
SN - 1748-2623
IS - 1
ER -
ID: 359652863