Pragmatic digital approaches for conducting focus groups in rural and frontier areas : weathering the storms / Sarah Mollman, Beth Walstrom, Jenny Kerkvliet, Charlene Berke, Chamika Hawkins-Taylor, Debra Anderson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mollman, Sarah, active 2022, author.

Walstrom, Beth, author.

Kerkvliet, Jenny, author.

Berke, Charlene, author.

Hawkins-Taylor, Chamika, author.

Anderson, Debra, active 2022, author.

Series:

SAGE research methods: doing research online.

SAGE research methods: doing research online

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Rural health--United States.

Rural health.

Research--Methodology.

Research.

Physical Description:

1 online resource : illustrations.

Place of Publication:

London : SAGE Publications, Ltd., 2022.

Summary:

Rural Americans experience significant health disparities exacerbated by geographical isolation and distance traveled to healthcare facilities. For research on vulnerable, rural populations, it is essential to identify resources and needs as well as local cultural norms, values, and preferences to inform healthcare interventions. Still, researchers often face challenges when conducting research in rural areas. One research team adapted focus group methodology using digital approaches to accommodate three challenges: (1) delay in institutional review board approval and recruitment of a vulnerable population; (2) severe weather; and (3) coordination at distant participation sites. Five of the six focus groups incorporated digital solutions, including video conferencing, video recording, and telephone communication. Digital solutions allowed the team to meet the project goal to inform the next steps of the project. The team used an array of digital approaches to affirm the major essence of the focus groups and assure valid findings. Like other vulnerable groups, rural populations demonstrate diverse characteristics and unique healthcare needs that are often not captured in research. Digital approaches may increase the representation of rural participants by minimizing barriers to accessing these populations. It must be noted that using digital approaches to conduct research in rural areas requires access to reliable internet services in those areas. These strategies may also enhance a project's feasibility and viability, decreasing cost, and other barriers. Digital research approaches, therefore, deserve serious consideration to inform health policy, practice, and equity for rural populations.

Notes:

Description based on XML content.

ISBN:

9781529799996 :

OCLC:

1301363211