A nominal group study was conducted by strategic sampling in which participants were requested to discuss and report on requirements for academic leadership, suggestions and barriers.
However, numerous studies about physical activity in low-income samples utilized self-reported responses to provide physical activity profiles and suggestions to address barriers, motivators, and educational needs.
We analyzed a portion of the open-ended survey questions, specifically (1) suggestions for overcoming barriers encountered in discussing goals of care, and (2) currently effective practices.
The analysis revealed four major themes: knowledge and beliefs about Vietnam's current tobacco control program, attitudes towards expanding VHWs' role to include cessation services, challenges to implementing VHW-delivered cessation services, and suggestions for addressing barriers.
Problems identified by peer supporters such as common barriers, suggestions for changing dose-taking schedules, behaviour of family member towards peer supporter (if any) were discussed among the research group at monthly meetings.
As the codes for responses to the two questions ("suggestions for overcoming barriers" and "currently effective strategies") were identical, we summarized the findings with a common set of key themes and subthemes.
As this type of research is best used for formative or evaluative research, a next step is to test specific suggestions for overcoming barriers, such as those provided in this investigation.
Of note, 4 of the 21 respondents providing feedback had a cancer type other than breast (i.e., gynecological, bowel) with suggestions for additional barriers being similar for breast and non-breast cancer survivors.
Ten of seventeen suggestions applied to multiple barriers, suggesting that these barriers are interrelated.
The study participants highlighted, however, specific suggestions for overcoming these barriers including having one central referral source (eliminating the barrier of matching insurance status with program), having a referral coordinator, and having reimbursement for tobacco counseling as a billable code.
Developing these factors, we present at the same time particular suggestions for overcoming these barriers.
