An anonymized telephone-based focus group (AFoG) methodology was desig
ned for studies examining family physicians' attitudes to social and s
exual contact between family physicians and their patients. The method
adapts the traditional focus group approach as a means of exploring a
sensitive family practice topic while concealing participants' identi
ties. Using this method, a safe environment can be created in which pa
rticipants are able to freely discuss the issues. In the example given
, the method resulted in a significant contribution to the research. P
articipants expressed positive comments about the experience.