Common use of Focus Groups Clause in Contracts

Focus Groups. To gain insight into the needs and perceptions of sub-populations in the Parkview Health System (Parkview) area, focus groups were conducted in Allen, Noble, and Kosciusko Counties. Focus groups are a data collection technique that capitalizes on group interactions to provide qualitative information on a range of topics and in various research fields [1]. Our objective was to receive input from populations underrepresented in the telephone survey on health risks and concerns in their communities. Altogether, three focus groups were arranged by Parkview: one with African American participants in ▇▇▇▇▇ County, one with Hispanic participants in Noble County, and one with Hispanic participants in Kosciusko County. Only one participant attended the Kosciusko focus group so an interview was conducted. His responses to questions mirrored those of the Noble County group. Each focus group was audio-taped and an assistant moderator took notes. The following is a summary of the risks to health, greatest health concerns, and the gaps and strengths of health services in the community. The health risks identified by focus group participants in ▇▇▇▇▇ County include: poor diet, lack of exercise, substance use, mental health issues, poor prenatal care, limited accessibility to grocery stores with healthy options, and little knowledge of preventive care. The group believe that while there are some services available to address these concerns, the information is not getting to the population with the greatest need, “so, I think the people you most want to help are the people least likely to attend.” It is “an unfortunate truth of the black community that we won’t move unless there’s a lure.” Community days are frequently held in the county, however without an incentive to go to a screening or sign up for resources, residents are unlikely to participate. Additionally, a grass roots organization, “meet people where they are at”, is the best way to reach those individuals. Poor dietary habits is viewed as a major contributor to health risks. Certain areas do not have healthy food grocery stores and as a result, too many individuals resort to “junk food” obtained at service stations to replace fresh fruits and vegetables. Cooking dinner for the family is on the decrease, often because of busy lives or parents are tired after working all day. While meals prepared at home is preferable to unhealthy options at the 7-11, many packaged foods are high in sodium, calories, and fat. This contributes to the increasing rates of diabetes and cholesterol. Education is the key to helping the community understand these could be preventable and treatable with a healthy lifestyle and learning how to manage conditions. Unhealthy eating patterns are further exacerbated by lack of exercise. Sports are becoming less available for kids, a parent has to drive 20 to 30 minutes for their child to participate in t-ball or soccer. After a busy day, the commute time one way is a deterrent and provides an excuse to not go out and have “60 minutes of play.” This trickles down to the children, who in turn become more sedentary when unable to engage in sports or physical activity. Walk, bike, or race-a-thons would likely be embraced if they were available throughout the county. There are public trails in the Ft ▇▇▇▇▇ area, unfortunately they are not marketed so residents are frequently unaware of opportunities to be active. It is harder to be resistant to a healthy lifestyle once the availability of options are widely known. Substance use is another problem in the African American community. This population is “very casual about drinking, smoking pot, smoking cigarettes, cigars.” It is accepted so ultimately the behaviors resulting from the abuse are accepted. The message of what drugs do to the body and to the brain is not getting to the community. People do not know where to go for services, if they are even seeking care, and it requires insurance. In addition to the known problems of substance use, this also leads to late nights, poor sleep, and, most problematic, mental health issues. There is a notable stigma in the African American community surrounding mental healthcare, it is a “pray it away” issue compounded by a distrust of the system. This can prevent families from accepting the realities of mental health, acknowledging prayer and faith have a role, however there are also people available to help. One important step would be to engage pastors, deacons, and elders of the church. Those influential individuals are not utilized to encourage parishioners to seek services. This crisis also relates to “our young people just pulling a gun out and shooting somebody.” The black community incorporates mental illness, such as bi-polar youth, into the cultural norm to excuse the behavior. While there is a great prenatal program in the area, the care for pregnant women and early childhood is lacking for the black community. This is obvious in the infant mortality rates. More must be done to provide young women and young mothers with access to healthcare for themselves and their children. Lack of information and education is again the key for this health concern. Individuals in the African American community seeking to lead an active lifestyle are still restricted by access to healthy food options. In particular, the southeast side of town has no healthy food stores or grocery stores with fresh fruits and vegetables. Community gardens might be a viable option. Those do take time for startup and community buy-in, however would eventually prove to be a valuable resource for minimal financial support. One participant is involved with a growing trend in Tennessee for fruit and vegetable trucks, similar to the ice cream trucks with which everyone is familiar. Farmers utilize these trucks to sell their crops throughout the neighborhoods of their local area. Many of the community health issues could be improved with preventive care, however “people don’t know what’s available to them.” There must be innovative ways to get the information to a community that is not always inclined to trust or seek services. The “propaganda” message is not out there. For example, a Health Clinic recently opened, however there was no event to invite people in the community to see what the clinic has to offer or greet those in the neighborhood. A message communicating the clinic is “here in your community for you” would have overcome some of the neighborhood resistance. Without welcoming residents to visit, the perception “they are just here for the money or for the numbers” prevails.

Focus Groups. To gain insight into the needs and perceptions of sub-populations in the Parkview Health System (Parkview) area, focus groups were conducted in Allen, Noble, and Kosciusko Counties. Focus groups are a data collection technique that capitalizes on group interactions to provide qualitative information on a range of topics and in various research fields [1]. Our objective was to receive input from populations underrepresented in the telephone survey on health risks and concerns in their communities. Altogether, three focus groups were arranged by Parkview: one with African American participants in ▇▇▇▇▇ County, one with Hispanic participants in Noble County, and one with Hispanic participants in Kosciusko County. Only one participant attended the Kosciusko focus group so an interview was conducted. His responses to questions mirrored those of the Noble County group. Each focus group was audio-taped and an assistant moderator took notes. The following is a summary of the risks to health, greatest health concerns, and the gaps and strengths of health services in the community. The health risks identified by focus group participants in ▇▇▇▇▇ County include: poor diet, lack of exercise, substance use, mental health issues, poor prenatal care, limited accessibility to grocery stores with healthy options, and little knowledge of preventive care. The group believe that while there are some services available to address these concerns, the information is not getting to the population with the greatest need, “so, I think the people you most want to help are the people least likely to attend.” It is “an unfortunate truth of the black community that we won’t move unless there’s a lure.” Community days are frequently held in the county, however without an incentive to go to a screening or sign up for resources, residents are unlikely to participate. Additionally, a grass roots organization, “meet people where they are at”, ,” is the best way to reach those individuals. Poor dietary habits is are viewed as a major contributor to health risks. Certain areas do not have healthy food grocery stores and as a result, too many individuals resort to “junk food” obtained at service stations to replace fresh fruits and vegetables. Cooking dinner for the family is on the decrease, often because of busy lives or parents are tired after working all day. While meals prepared at home is are preferable to unhealthy options at the 7-11, many packaged foods purchased for convenience are high in sodium, calories, calories and fat. This contributes to the increasing rates of diabetes and cholesterol. Education is the key to helping the community understand these conditions could be preventable and treatable with a healthy lifestyle and learning how to manage conditions. Unhealthy eating patterns are further exacerbated by lack of exercise. Sports are becoming less available for kids, a parent has to drive 20 to 30 minutes for their child to participate in t-ball or soccer. After a busy day, the commute time one way is a deterrent and provides an excuse to not go out and have “60 minutes of play.” This trickles down to the children, who in turn become more sedentary when unable to engage in sports or physical activity. Walk, bike, or race-a-thons would likely be embraced if they were available throughout the county. There are public trails in the Ft Fort ▇▇▇▇▇ area, but unfortunately they are not marketed so residents are frequently unaware of opportunities to be active. It is harder to be resistant to a healthy lifestyle once the availability of options are widely known. Substance use is another problem in the African American community. This population is “very casual about drinking, smoking pot, smoking cigarettes, cigars.” It is accepted accepted, so ultimately the behaviors resulting from the abuse are accepted. The message of what drugs do to the body and to the brain is not getting to the community. People do not know where to go for services, if they are even seeking care, and it requires insurance. In addition to the known problems of substance use, this also leads to late nights, poor sleep, and, most problematic, mental health issues. There is a notable stigma in the African American community surrounding mental healthcare, it . It is a “pray it away” issue compounded by a distrust of the system. This can prevent families from accepting the realities of mental health, acknowledging . Acknowledging prayer and faith have a rolerole in good health, however there families also need to be aware that services are also people available to help. One important first step would be to engage pastors, deacons, and elders of the church. Those influential individuals are not utilized to encourage parishioners to seek services. This crisis also relates to “our young people just pulling a gun out and shooting somebody.” The black community incorporates mental illness, such as bi-polar youth, into the cultural norm to excuse the behavior. While there is a great prenatal program in the area, the care for pregnant women and early childhood young children is lacking for the black community. This is obvious in the infant mortality rates. More must be done to provide young women and young mothers with access to healthcare for themselves and their children. Lack of information and education is again the key for this health concern. Individuals in the African American community seeking to lead an active lifestyle are still restricted by access to healthy food options. In particular, the southeast side of town has no healthy food stores or grocery stores with fresh fruits and vegetables. Community gardens might be a viable option. Those do take time for startup and community buy-in, however would eventually prove to be a valuable resource for minimal financial support. One participant is involved with a growing trend in Tennessee for fruit and vegetable trucks, similar to the ice cream trucks with which everyone is familiar. Farmers utilize these trucks to sell their crops throughout the neighborhoods of their local area. Many of the community health issues could be improved with preventive care, however “people don’t know what’s available to them.” There must be innovative ways to get the information to a community that is not always inclined to trust or seek services. The “propaganda” message is not out there. For example, a Health Clinic recently opened; however, however there was no event to invite people in the community to see what the clinic has to offer or greet those in the neighborhood. A message communicating the clinic is “here in your community for you” would have overcome some of the neighborhood resistance. Without welcoming residents to visit, the perception “they are just here for the money or for the numbers” prevails.