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 considered in planning a diabetes education program to better meet the needs of African Americans with diabetes in a community served by a suburban community hospital. METHODS: Two focus group sessions were conducted. The sessions were recorded, transcribed, 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 outcomes, and (4) a clear vision of what kind of educational setting would interest and benefit the group. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences between what was being offered for diabetes education at the facility and what was desired according to the focus group, including factors of cost and leadership. Recommendations for future program planning are given.