Table 1.

Topic guide used to facilitate focus group discussions

What is it like to have rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?

What is a good day with RA?

What is a bad day with RA?

What do you do to manage your symptoms?

Do you have to ask other people to do things for you?

What do you miss doing since being diagnosed with RA?

What changes have you made to your life?

Have you given up any activities due to being diagnosed with RA?

Have you ever been angry because of your RA?

What do you do to manage your anger/emotions?

Do you talk to anyone about your RA? Who?/Who do you see as your main support?

Have your expectations/ambitions in life changed?

What do you think of the care you receive from rheumatology?

Would you like to change anything about the care or support you receive?

What do you think is important to include in an RA self‐management/information program?

Who do you think should deliver this type of group (e.g., male/female)?

Where do you think the group should be delivered (at the hospital/elsewhere)?

Do you think women deal with RA differently than men? (if so how?)

Do you see a difference between men and women in the waiting room?

Is there anything positive about being a man with RA? (what?)

General followup questions:

What do you think about that? (use think, not feel)

Do you think that's different for women?