Resumo

LOPES, Maria da Graça Kfouri et al. Focus groups: a strategy for health research. RSBO (Online) [online]. 2010, vol.7, n.2, pp. 166-172. ISSN 1984-5685.

INTRODUCTION: The research strategy through open interviews is a qualitative alternative that can capture the meaning embedded in opinions expressed, revealing values and feelings of the research subjects. As a constructivist method it requires the interpretative analysis of the speech. Data collection requires pragmatism from the researcher and absence of stimuli that might induce or inhibit the interviewees. OBJECTIVE: This study had the following proposals: a) to implement the strategy of focus groups as part of the evaluation of the Qualitative Methods discipline in a stricto sensu course; b) to search the criteria that determine the patient's choice of dental professional. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In order to achieve the objectives of the research, an exercise was carried out aimed at understanding the content of focus groups through active learning methodology based on the experience and binomial action-reflection. The activity was developed under the theme "Determinants in the relationship established between the dental professional and their patients", according to the patients' opinions. The group that coordinated the activity consisted of four dentists, students of the Qualitative Methods discipline, who played the following roles: a) mediator; b) reporter; c) observer; d) recording operator. The discussion group was composed of six (N = 6) volunteers from a total of 20 students enrolled in this discipline. The exclusion criteria included those with private dental plans and/or the exclusive users of public health services. The recording was transcribed and submitted to content analysis. To this end the ATLAS.ti 5.0 computer program was used. RESULTS: Patients select the dental professional according to the references they get from others. The personal relationship was highly valued by the group, reinforcing the skills and abilities of sensitivity and commitment to the human being presented in the text of the National Curriculum Guidelines (NCG) for Dentistry courses. The importance of professional commitment to continuing education and to technical skill was highlighted as well. The involvement of various professionals is not perceived as problem-solving, but as actions unconnected to each other. The importance of a professional that provides clear information and a qualified listening in order to give voice to the patient's needs was pointed out. Regarding the organization of the service, biosafety procedures are one of the patient's main concerns. CONCLUSION: The qualitative interview strategy in the mode of the focus group showed to be adequate to the purpose of the activity. The results of the focus group revealed that the recommendations of the NCG for Dentistry courses are connected with the dentist social representation.

Palavras-chave : qualitative research; focus groups; Dentistry.