A community-based participatory research design was used in nine focus group consultations (n = 143) held in five communities in Canada, between October 2010 and March 2011, using the Structured Interview Matrix facilitation technique.
Considering a possible dropout rate (participants dying before approached for basic interview, and facilitation), we expected a sample size of 360 in the intervention and altogether 720 in the two control towns.
We provide state-of-the-art training in the treatment of patients with addiction, including detoxification, pharmacotherapy for addiction, abstinence-based recovery models, harm-reduction recovery models, motivational interviewing, 12-Step facilitation, consultation for medical and psychiatric hospital services, and psychosocial approaches to the treatment of patients with addiction and pain.
Focus groups were led by a facilitator who was a qualitative researcher experienced in both interviewing and group facilitation, with an observer (with a background in qualitative medical sociology) taking detailed notes.
The nurses were also trained in motivational interviewing techniques and facilitation of patient self-management.
The PSGTs are led by paraprofessionals from Michigan State University Extension and WIC providers in Michigan who are trained in motivational interviewing and group facilitation skills.
Different communication skills like listening, facilitation, interviewing, and writing skills are a must.
These are: health condition and health promotion knowledge, health behaviour change theory, health behaviour change interviewing skills, behaviour change facilitation skills, cognitive change facilitation skills and emotion-management facilitation skills.
Care will be taken to ensure that staff do not handle study activities such as interviews or intervention session facilitation if they involve participants who are from their neighborhood or within their social circle to minimize the risk of breaches in confidentiality.
Nurse reviewers conducting chart reviews and interviews were trained and, during each case review, received facilitation, guidance, and consultation from a member of the research team that focused on data validation and consistent ratings during data collection.
