Introduction
The focus group method has been used widely to answer research questions in pharmacy practice and health services research, as has the individual interview and the reasons for choosing either method has also received attention.1 However, the use of individual interviews with focus group participants post-group discussion has not, to our knowledge, received the same level of interest in pharmacy practice research. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to examine and describe whether or not individual follow-up interviews provide additional data when compared with data obtained from focus group discussions, involving those interviewees.

Methods
A multi-method approach, incorporating focus groups and semi-structured individual follow-up interviews, was used. Participants were recruited via a gatekeeper and each group consisted of members of a pre-existing social or work group. Written informed consent for the focus group and the follow-up interview was obtained. A topic guide was prepared prior to each interview that permitted the interviewer to, for example, explore issues, provide examples and explanations and expand on issues raised in the group setting. Also, opportunities for subjects to disagree with group views or to change a previously-held view were also to expansion and semi-structured approach to the interviews were also provided. All interviews were tape recorded and transcribed ad verbatim. Transcripts of interviews were read, re-read and compared with those obtained from the focus group in which the subject had participated.

Results
In total, seven focus groups were conducted along with individual follow-up interviews with 31 of the 37 group participants. The interviews provided examples of the following additional data:
-additional information relating to a point they expressed in the group
-relaying experiences not mentioned in the group setting
-explanation of an opinion not offered to the group
-continuation of a theme which had been cut short by another in the group
-clarification of an imprecise comment relayed to the group
-provide an opportunity to capture points that were not captured to recording quality
-would consider options raised by others in the group not previously thought of
-opportunity to give a view not shared by other group members

Discussion
Individual follow-up interviews conducted with those that participated previously in a focus group discussion provided additional useful data which clarified or expanded on information previously provided during focus group discussions. The individual interviews are considered of value although they do require additional resources, particularly the time to arrange and conduct interviews, and to transcribe the recordings. The benefits are considered to outweigh these additional constraints but nonetheless need to be addressed if this methodological approach is to be used for future studies using this approach.