Creating the Focus Group Interview Guide

Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were performed in 3 geographically and ethnically diverse areas of the United States – Los Angeles, CA, Rochester, MN, and Durham, NC. Each site used a standardized study protocol overseen by the PI (PPL) and site PIs (AC, Los Angeles, CA; DJ, Rochester, MN; LH, Durham NC). All study interviewers and focus group moderators underwent a standardized training regimen. Research staff conducting the interviews and focus groups with patients were not involved in patient care. Overall, the study specifically sought input from patients with glaucoma (both those with vision loss and those without), family members and friends of those with glaucoma, and community or front-line providers of care for patients with glaucoma.

A total of 12 structured interviews were carried out at the 3 sites (4 per site) with the following key stakeholders: 3 for patients with good vision, 3 for patients with poor vision, and 6 for family members of both types of patients (3 with good vision, 3 with poor vision). The interview guide was created based on an extensive literature review. The results of the literature review and interviews were then used to create one focus group script for the patient focus group and one interview script for the support system focus group. These semi-structured interview guides underwent pilot testing and additional revision (Semi-Structured Interview Guide, Patient Focus Group Appendix 1, available on-line only).