Focus Groups: A Rose by Another Name?

Sunday is the start of a number of focus group sessions that will occur over the next couple of weeks.  In addition to inviting representatives from community groups to participate, we are also having focus group sessions with family practitioners.  So what is a focus group?  Is the terminology a little intimidating?  Essentially, a focus group is a chat with a small group of people.  Most often it's with a group of 6-10 people.  The facilitator of the discussion has a number of questions and then listens as the people in attendance chat amongst themselves.   There are no right or wrong answers.  Generally, the purpose of a focus group is to get peoples' opinions.  So if you get an invite, come on along!  Or if you haven't received an invitation but would like to attend a focus group (and you are a resident of the Discovery Zone), e-mail needsassessment@easternhealth.ca.