Using a focus group to design a diabetes education program for an African American population

PURPOSE The purpose of this project was to determine what factors need to be consid ered In planning a diabetes education program to better meet the needs of A frican Americans with diabetes in a community served by a suburban communit y hospital. METHODS Two focus group sessions were conducted The sessions were recorded, transcr ibed, and analyzed by members of the research team. RESULTS Four themes emerged that had bearing on program development: (1) a sense of personal powerlessness, (2) fear related to complications, (3) recognition of knowledge deficits accompanied by an inability to link behavior to outc omes, and (4) a clear vision of what kind of educational setting would inte rest and benefit the group. CONCLUSIONS There were significant differences between what was being offered for diabe tes education at the facility and what was desired according to the focus g roup, including factors of cost and leadership. Recommendations for future program planning are given.