ABSTRACT
The focus group technique has substantial potential for providing information that is simultaneously relevant to sociological investigations and is difficult to obtain using other techniques. The focus group can provide information on sensitive topics about which respondents are usually reticent to talk. This chapter is directed to group work practitioners and researchers who are considering using teleconferencing focus groups to deal with sensitive topics. It explores the use of time-limited teleconferencing focus groups with families who have been involved in organ donation. The chapter concentrates on the preparation and the beginning stage of the focus group, for it is that an environment for dealing with sensitive topics needs to be created. Sudden death as a consequence of an acute severe brain injury is the essential and inevitable precursor to the donation of most solid organs.
