Health behavior changes after colon cancer: A comparison of findings from face-to-face and on-line focus groups

This qualitative study assessed the feasibility and comparability of findin gs from face-to-face versus online chat focus groups including 12 individua ls affected by colon cancer. Discussion questions focused on issues of life style (nutrition and exercise), cancer screening, and treatment. Despite de mographic differences, the themes that emerged from the two types of groups were similar. On-line participants generally talked more about cancer trea tment and advocacy issues and used support groups more frequently, The anon ymity of on-line chat groups appeared to provide a more comfortable forum f or some people to discuss sensitive personal health issues. As both methods provided similar results, researchers may wish to consider circumstances i n which using chat-based focus groups may provide a feasible alternative to traditional face-to-face groups.