In a recent survey, we asked members of our Healthcare
Panel about their experiences with Patient Chart Research. This methodology is
useful for researchers as it is based on real-life cases, not hypothetical
scenarios. Using anonymized data, these studies can be either online or by telephone,
with the majority being online.
One important reason Reckner’s Panelists like to do
Patient Chart Research is because they want their opinions to be counted. They
also want to contribute to innovation in their field and learn about new
treatments in the pipeline. Some say it is “fun” and others like “looking
through records,” “improving patient outcomes,” and “feeling like I can make a
difference.”
Patient Chart Research can be rewarding for those who prepare ahead and set aside uninterrupted time.
So the next time you accept a Patient Chart study,
remember these useful tips from members of Reckner’s Healthcare Panel.
It is helpful to prepare ahead of time by reviewing the questionnaire and pulling and reviewing appropriate charts before starting the survey.
Many Panelists (40%) prefer to toggle back and forth on one device; 31% prefer to use two devices like a desktop and a tablet; and 14% prefer to print out the charts.
In any case, it is critical to be able to access the charts while doing the study.
Allow enough time to do the study in one sitting; avoid interruptions.
Maintain the confidentiality of the patient and adhere to HIPAA.
Accuracy is critical. As one Panelist said, “Try your best to be accurate in the information you provide since that is very helpful in the advancement of therapy and management of our patients.” Another concurred, “Be patient, always be honest…if technology is failing you—don’t guess, just end session. The only information that can help is accurate information.”
While Patient Chart
Research can be required by a variety of fields, there is particular need in
the areas of oncology, rheumatology, gastroenterology, dermatology, and plastic
surgery.
The next time you are
invited to participate in this kind of research, give it a try and keep these
helpful tips in mind.
We’re always looking to grow our Healthcare Panel as we continue to bring on new clients and develop new business. Rest assured, there are plenty of research opportunities and adding new Panelists won’t affect your continuing to receive invitations.
Please help us spread the word to your colleagues. We need physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, office managers, and other practice administrators and the specialties listed below are among the highest in demand. Send interested healthcare professionals to our website to register today!
In-depth telephone interviews can be conducted at your convenience at a pre-scheduled time.
Members of our Healthcare Market Research Panel participate in different types of market research including online surveys, in-depth telephone interviews, or in-person focus groups. While some Panelists favor online surveys, equally as many enjoy the in-depth and personal nature of qualitative studies, the majority of which are conducted as telephone interviews ranging from twenty minutes to an hour. In-person interviews or focus groups are not quite as common, but for those who do participate in them, they tend to deliver highly rewarding experiences because of their communal nature and the sharing of knowledge and expertise that occurs.
For those who may not be that familiar with
qualitative research, here are some of the benefits from the perspective of
healthcare professionals:
Higher payments. Pre-scheduled, in-depth telephone interviews often offer high honoraria; in some cases this can be $400, or even more, for an hour interview.
Make a significant contribution to innovation in your field. Because you’re speaking with a researcher at length, you have the opportunity to share insights and experiences that simply cannot be captured in an online survey. The interaction between you and the researcher allows for nuance and specificity that only one-on-one communication can provide.
Be the first to learn about new drugs or treatments. Oftentimes, concepts or extraordinary innovations are presented in market research studies. Our Panelists tell us they appreciate hearing about new developments before they are announced. It can help them keep on top of their field and be alerted to new drugs and treatments.
Unique, fun, and interesting opportunities. Qualitative studies can also be interesting because different methodologies are sometimes used. Lexy Frazier, Reckner’s Director of Qualitative Research, described one study in which the participating physicians were given a laptop and had their computer use observed for a few weeks. The monitoring captured URLs visited and time spent on each page (words typed, screen captures, or personal information was not monitored). “Afterwards, they got to keep the laptop,” Frazier said. “So that was certainly a nice incentive.”
One of Reckner’s Panelists, Dr. Claudio Sandoval,
shared that he prefers qualitative studies
so that others may benefit from his clinical expertise. “I have been caring for
patients with blood and cancer disorders for over 26 years and have a wealth of
information and a deep reservoir of knowledge. I enjoy talking to people and
contributing to the science and art of medicine,” he said.
Lexy Frazier, Reckner’s Director of Qualitative Research
From the perspective of the researchers, Frazier
shared that these in-depth interviews allow companies to dig more deeply into a
subject and get into the mindset of potential consumers. “Getting on the court
of the customer” is how some researchers describe it.
Qualitative research is also used to understand the language that potential consumers use to describe certain symptoms or health issues. By talking directly with potential users of a product, one can appreciate the nuances of word and phrasing choices. For example, a company might describe their product as alleviating “irritation” but upon talking with potential consumers who describe the same symptom, they might more specifically refer to it as “sensitivity” or “burning” or “pressure,” for example. Hearing the nuance of the language used by potential consumers and prescribers can help a company get the right product to the right people.
Wondering what kind of opportunities there are for telephone interviews?
At any given time, Reckner could have up to 60 qualitative studies underway. In 2018 alone, Reckner paid nearly $7,000,000 in honoraria to almost 18,000 unique participants for both qualitative and quantitative research studies.
“There’s certainly plenty of room for new Panelists to
get involved. We encourage our current Panelists to spread the word to their
networks,” Frazier said. “We are really fortunate to have such a highly
regarded and trusted Panel which has grown steadily over the past 28 years.
Because of its longstanding and consistent record of excellence, our clients
have come to rely on the Reckner Panel for their healthcare market research
needs. And, as always, we are grateful for the Panel’s commitment and
involvement,” concluded Frazier.
We
greatly appreciate referrals. Please send the name and email address or phone
number of potential Panel members to sample@reckner.com. Many thanks.
As a regular feature on its new blog, Reckner Healthcare will talk with members of its Healthcare Panel about their backgrounds and interest in participating in healthcare market research. Panelist Dr. Claudio Sandoval, renowned in the fields of pediatrics and pediatric hematology-oncology, was the first to share his views on Reckner and healthcare market research.
Dr.
Claudio Sandoval is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric
hematology-oncology, and in addition to his active practice, is involved in
teaching medical students and residents. He currently holds the rank of
Professor of Pediatrics at New York Medical College. Moreover, he is active in
both clinical and basic science research in the fields of ataxia-telangiectasia
and minimal disease detection in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Dr.
Sandoval has been a member of Reckner’s Healthcare Panel since 2002 and has
participated in more than 50 studies. “I perform these studies so that others
may benefit from my clinical expertise. I have been caring for patients with
blood and cancer disorders for over 26 years and have a wealth of information
and a deep reservoir of knowledge. I enjoy talking to people and contributing
to the science and art of medicine,” he said.
Dr. Sandoval encourages his colleagues to contribute to healthcare market research. “This way we can expand the panoramic view of ideas. I tell them it is a nice way to contribute to science, and maybe even learn something along the way.”
Reckner
prides itself in efficient, friendly, and appropriate communication with the
healthcare professionals on its panel. Reckner understands how busy these
professionals are and makes all provisions necessary to accommodate their complex
schedules. Dr. Sandoval confirmed that “the Reckner personnel are always so
nice to talk to. I have never had any issues with scheduling and whenever there
is a change it is done in a timely fashion.” He also notes that the subject
matters of the surveys are pertinent to his areas of expertise.
Dr. Sandoval, a storyteller by nature, prefers the long form
interviews over online surveys because he says he enjoys talking in person. “Growing up in
Long Island and being a fisherman I became a raconteur-fishermen–always
bragging about the guppies caught or the guppies that got away,” he joked.
Dr. Sandoval encourages his colleagues to contribute to healthcare market research. “This way we can expand the panoramic view of ideas. I tell them it is a nice way to contribute to science, and maybe even learn something along the way,” he concluded.
“Dr.
Sandoval has been an important member of the Reckner Healthcare Panel. We
appreciate his more than 17 years of service and his contributions to the
field,” said Lexy Frazier, Reckner Director of Qualitative Research.
More about Dr. Claudio Sandoval
Additional Credentials
Author or co-author of 91 research papers in peer-reviewed
journals
Author of Up-to-Date articles and a chapter on iron deficiency
anemia
An active member in the American Society of Pediatric
Hematology-Oncology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Received Doctor of Medicine degree from New York Medical College
(1987), where he performed research on the effects of interferons on
hematopoiesis.
Trained in pediatrics at Schneider Children’s Hospital
Subspecialty training in pediatric hematology-oncology at St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, where he studied therapy-related secondary
leukemias, and the granulocyte colony stimulating factor receptor in children
with Kostmann syndrome. Both of these areas of research were presented at
national meetings as oral and poster presentations and published in
peer-reviewed journals (Leukemia, Blood, and the Journal of Clinical Oncology).
Reckner’s Healthcare Panel Members Share Enjoyment of Healthcare
Market Research
Reckner conducts market research studies for healthcare, pharmaceutical and medical device companies. In order to have respondents at the ready when our clients present us with studies, we have assembled a Panel of Healthcare Professionals. Since 1991 when the company was founded, Reckner’s Healthcare Panel has grown to become one of the most trusted and esteemed in the industry. Physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, hospital and healthcare decision-makers have all voluntarily joined Reckner’s team, and as our clients attest, comprise one of the most valuable and preferred panels in the field of healthcare market research.
Jason Gamber, VP Reckner Healthcare, leads the client service and project management teams for our Qualitative and Quantitative departments.
We recently reached out to members of our
panel with a survey of our own to find out how we were doing regarding delivery
of surveys, communication, and awarding of honoraria. What we learned was both
inspiring and humbling. Jason Gamber, our VP of Reckner Healthcare summed it
up: “We understand the value of our panel’s time and we know that the
honoraria we offer for participation are certainly important. What we were
gratified to confirm as well is the degree to which panel members find the
surveys informational and educational. A large number even called them ‘fun’.”
According to one survey respondent, a hospital
administrator, Reckner surveys are a “good way to keep up with what’s going on
in our areas of the market. You can get a great idea from a survey what
direction the rest of the country is going.” Another said they are motivated to
take surveys in order to have “input into field products and strategies for the
future. I feel like I have something to contribute. (The extra money is nice
too!)”
One emergency physician said they like to
“help direct research, hopefully share my experiences in a meaningful way,
point out what gaps there may be in education… I also found new options I
wasn’t aware of.” And an oncologist shared how taking surveys “is a positive
experience as it forces us to re-evaluate the way in which we approach
important medical issues.”
Another somewhat unexpected common response
was that the surveys are “fun”: “Fun and rewarding,” “fun and
interesting and you learn from them,” “fun and you can get your voice heard,”
and “fun and I feel good about contributing.”
Gamber concluded, “We are so appreciative of
those who continue to participate in our Healthcare Panel. We value our
partnership and want to continue to rise to the top of your inbox when survey
requests arrive there. For those of you who haven’t signed up yet to join our
Healthcare Panel, please take a moment to visit our easy online form and
join us. Come have fun with us and make a difference in your field.”
