Table 1 Overview of the timeline and research processes

Participants

Academics and policy experts

Representatives of healthcare insurers

Period

December 2019 to January 2020

October 2020 to March 2021

Aim

To create an essential understanding of the role of healthcare insurers in the Dutch context

To explore the perceptions of healthcare insurers on their role with respect to citizen engagement and the operationalization thereof

Method

In-person and at-distance semi-structured interviews

Online focus groups

Steps

1.1. Selecting participants based on criteria (e.g. authorship of scientific literature on the topic of interest)

1.2. Conducting interviews with experts (n = 11)

1.3. Analysing interview materials

1.4. Drawing key discussion statements to be debated with representatives of healthcare insurers in phase 2

2.1. Pitching the study to a person of interest at the healthcare insurer

2.2. Identifying a focal point at the healthcare insurer

2.3. Reasoning with the focal point on the profiles of intended focus group participants

2.4. In-house recruiting of participants conducted by the focal point (n = 29)

2.5. Sending the invitation letter and materials to participants

2.6. Hosting the focus group meeting (n = 6)

2.7. Preparing a key summary of the meeting and reverting to participants for feedback

2.8. Following-up on the feedback of participants

2.9. Analysing focus group materials