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Published on: June 6, 2020
Involving users in service planning: a focus group approach
Lorraine Kelly1, Kay Caldwell, Lynne Henshaw
1Breast Unit, Barnet and Chase Farm NHS Trust, Chase Farm Site, The Ridgeway, Enfield, Middx EN2 8JL, UK. lorraine.kelly@bcf.nhs.uk
Summary
Patient feedback guided breast cancer follow-up service improvements. Focus groups identified key user needs, leading to a questionnaire for enhanced National Health Service (NHS) care.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Health Services Research
- Patient Experience
Background:
- User involvement is a key policy in the UK's National Health Service (NHS).
- Reconfiguring breast cancer follow-up services requires understanding patient priorities.
- Previous strategies for user involvement in healthcare have been explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To involve breast cancer patients in reconfiguring follow-up services.
- To identify priority issues for service users through a focus group approach.
- To develop a questionnaire for surveying current service users.
Main Methods:
- A focus group approach was employed with breast cancer service users.
- Key themes were identified from focus group discussions.
- A participatory research strategy was used to gather stakeholder input.
Main Results:
- Five key themes emerged: need for reassurance, continuity of care, privacy and dignity, information on new symptoms, and discussing feelings.
- Focus groups provided valuable insights into patient priorities for breast cancer follow-up.
- This study formed the first stage of a larger stakeholder project.
Conclusions:
- Involving service users through participatory research is crucial for planning effective healthcare changes.
- Patient voices were integrated with those of healthcare professionals.
- The focus group method provided practical insights for improving breast cancer follow-up services.
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