Abstracts from Poster Presentations at the Scottish Dental Practice-Based Research Network's Symposium held in Edinburgh in November 2001

Symposium Reports

Abstract of poster presentations

Focus group research and your practice.

A L McGowan *1, M C Murray *1 and R S Barbour *2.

Qualitative research and focus groups in particular have been little used in dentistry to date1. These techniques are invaluable because they aim to promote understanding of health-related behaviour in everyday situations. This insight into populations may allow improved formulation of methods to produce change.

A focus group study was undertaken in Glasgow to find what might encourage more frequent dental attendance2. Six groups from pre-existing groups were recruited to take part in a discussion about dentistry. Discussions were convened in Community venues and were tape recorded for later analysis. The researcher facilitated the groups and all subjects completed a questionnaire about their dental attendance, age, occupation and postcode. The data was transcribed onto a word processor and analysed manually. The groups varied in age and social status.

Well-known barriers to dental attendance were identified: anxiety; cost; lack of perceived need and access issues. All wanted kindness and understanding and good communication was sought. Different groups had different priorities however. The elderly saw no reason to attend, those in middle age attended to prevent unexpected problems and the young were all motivated by appearance. The school children and elderly felt being accompanied helped them to attend. The students and young adults wanted reminders and incentives such as toothbrushes. The young mums in a deprived area wanted free treatment. The middle-aged professionals wanted convenient appointments and parking.

The novice facilitator was able to encourage all the subjects to take part and data was generated with ease. The focus group proved an effective and non-threatening way to elicit interesting insights. Information is relevant in the context of those who generate it but will be applicable to others of similar populations and backgrounds.

In conclusion this was an effective method to establish views on dentistry. This technique could be used in your practice area to suggest ways to alter the behaviour of your own patients. There may be scope for practitioners to run focus groups, perhaps employing an independent researcher in their locality, and to share the findings. As with all information, if this is put to use in practice the effect must be monitored. The focus group participants were happy to share their views and we as professionals can surely gain by listening.

1. Newton T. Qualitative research and evidence-based dentistry: linking evidence to practice. Evidence Based Dentistry 2000; 2:104-106
2. McGowan A. What might encourage more frequent dental attendance? - A focus group study. Thesis. University of Glasgow, 2001.

1. Glasgow Dental Hospital, Glasgow.
2. Department of Primary Care, Glasgow University

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