Table 1 Interview guide

Briefing

Presentation round (research team and participants) followed by a short introduction to the study, oral consent and how a focus group works.

How do ethnic minority women experience the Danish medical system?

Healthcare seeking behaviour

• How do you feel about going to your GP in Denmark? Vs. your native country? Relationship to the GP?

• When and why do seek medical assistance?

Which perceptions about health do ethnic minority women have?

Health perceptions

• Do you know any health myths? What is a healthy body? Responsibility? Do you worry about your health?

• Sources of knowledge?

What do ethnic minority women know about cancer?

Knowledge about cancer

• Why do we get cancer? Causes? Treatment? Sources of knowledge?

What are ethnic minority women’s attitudes toward prevention and early detection

Prevention and early detection

• Can you be sick without any symptoms? Can you go to your GP without any symptoms? What does it mean to prevent? What are the benefits with early detection?

How aware and what do ethnic minority women know about cancer screening?

Knowledge about cancer screening

• Do you know why you are invited to screening? Purpose? Relevant?

• Are you vaccinated (HPV)?

Which specific individual and cultural barriers may prevent ethnic minority women from participate in cancer screening?

Individual and socio-cultural barriers

• What do you consider before deciding whether or not to get screened? Does the opinion of others matter to you? Language? Concerns?

Short presentation about cancer and screening

What are the attitudes toward preventive cancer screening?

Attitudes towards the screening programmes

• Are you more likely to participate in one program than another? Why? How do you feel about the different screening procedures?

Which specific system related barriers may prevent ethnic minority women from participate in cancer screening?

Cancer screening invitation and coping strategy

• What happens when you get invited to screening (step by step)?

• What do you think about ‘e-boks’ (digital mail)? What do you use ‘e-boks’ for?

• How would you like to be invited and informed about cancer screening?

Which ideas do ethnic minority women have that facilitate cancer screening?

Facilitators to screening

• How can we get cancer screening more relevant for you?

• What do you see as an obstacle to get screened?

• Opinions about other ideas (from other focus groups and literature)

Debriefing

Thank you for your participation – Is there anything you would like to add?