Table 1.

Focus Group Guide

Introduction

Welcome by the Principal Investigator Introduction of the Research Assistant Name tags for each participant Review the purpose of the study Review the use of tape-recorder and rationale for note taking

Ground Rules

Confidentiality of information by research team and each participant Respect for each other’s person, comments, and feelings One person speaking at a time

Questions

How is your sleep? When did you first realize that you had problems with your sleep? How was your sleep prior to developing heart failure? How was your sleep after developing heart failure? Do you think your heart failure worsened your sleep? What do you think caused your insomnia? What are your symptoms of insomnia? What is it that you do to manage or treat your insomnia? Do you take any prescription or over the counter drugs or suppliments to help you sleep better? What are they? How does your insomnia affect you? Your day to day activities? Do your health care providers ask you about sleep? (if not—Have you told them you have problems with sleeping? How would you like your health care providers to help you with your sleep? Do you think that you would participate in an insomnia program that uses non-medication therapy to help you manage your insomnia?