Table 1.

Description of Research Phases/Focus Groups

Phase	Key Objective	Key Questions/Content
Phase 1: Learning from the community	The objective of this focus group was to engage participants in a general discussion about their experiences as a caregiver for someone who was terminally ill and dying. In particular, discussion focused on their use and knowledge of palliative care services available to support them while providing end-of-life care in the home setting.	Tell me what it has been like caring for your loved one who is (or was) ill? Who has been involved in the care of your loved one? What kinds of challenges did (are) you and your family face while caring for your loved one? What kinds of services (health, social, and community services) did you access to support your loved one? What kinds of supports did you access after your loved one died? For example, bereavement, counseling, emotional support? What kinds of services are available to you in your community to help you and your family while you are caring for your loved one? While you are/were providing care for your loved one, did/are you using programs such as employment insurance, social services support, compassionate care benefits, etc.? What kinds of community services are available to help you (e.g., church, social groups, etc.)?
Phase 2: Education session on services and support for end-of-life care	In this phase, focus group participants were provided with an educational session by representatives from the Integrated Palliative Care Service of the Capital District Health Authority. The presentation described health and social services, including palliative care services to support families caring for a loved one at end of life.	A presentation was provided by representatives of the Integrated Palliative Care Service of Capital District Health Authority. Descriptions of services (including in-hospital palliative care, in-home palliative care, home care, and other health and social service benefits). Information on how to access services was also provided.
Phase 3: Giving back to the community— Making change, identifying next steps and knowledge translation	This phase had two objectives: First, to engage the focus group participants in an evaluation of the supportive and palliative care services described in the education session (Phase 2). More important, the discussion focused on whether those services would be used if they, currently or at some point in the future, found themselves in the role of a caregiver. Second, discussion focused on exploring ways to develop supports that are culturally competent and that would assist families to provide care in the home setting.	What are your thoughts on the information that was provided to you in the educational session (Phase 2)? What is your knowledge/opinion of services that are available to support palliative and end-of-life care? Are these services that you would use? Why? Which services do you feel would be most beneficial? Why? Do you feel these services would be helpful to you as a caregiver? What kinds of services would you like to see available to you and your family (that are currently not available to you) to help you provide palliative care for your loved one?
Phase 4: Community meeting	As part of the participatory action research process, a community town hall meeting was held to discuss and validate the findings from the research project.	Following the presentation of the key findings, participants engaged in a discussion to explore ways to take the research findings and move toward action and engaging policy makers to bring about change. Key question: What are some ways that we can make sure the other Black communities get this information regarding palliative care services?