Pragmatic digital approaches for conducting focus groups in rural and frontier areas : weathering the storms /
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 i...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | eBook |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
London :
SAGE Publications, Ltd.,
2022.
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| Series: | SAGE research methods: doing research online.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Connect to the full text of this electronic book |
| 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. |
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| Physical Description: | 1 online resource : illustrations. |
| ISBN: | 9781529799996 1529799996 |