Acumen is an agency offering medical marketing research as a specialism.
This guarantees you gain the experience and research skills of a leading expert in healthcare market research, plus the knowledge and links to the health care and medical industry.
Simply being experts in qualitative and quantitative market research methodologies that get applied to all industries can only take you so far.
In truth, there are as many differences in conducting medical marketing fieldwork as there are similarities to other kinds of market research.
The aim might be similar in some regards – to take a research question, to find broad trends and then delve in to find deeper understanding, but the methods may be very different.
The research agency must be aware of the need to act in a different manner with research participants.
They must also understand the importance of the research they are undertaking.
All research matters, but examining questions related to health and medicine has implications that would not exist around a standard product launch or rebrand.
At Acumen, we have a dedicated medical market research team, this also incorporates a data analytics team so that the process of capturing data and analysing are completely joined up
By creating a team that specialises purely in medical market research projects, we have been able to take on the most challenging of projects.
Medical marketing research companies have to understand the unique set of challenges that accompany this form of market research.
The basics still apply, world-class qualitative and quantitative research methods and the knowledge to know which to use and when and then how to acquire the insights that are needed to inform the wider project.
Methods of data capturing from medical market research companies will include interviews, focus groups, case studies and more.
However, the researcher must also be aware of the need for sensitivity and care, much of the information being sought might be of a personal nature.
A participant might feel embarrassed or reticent to divulge or to be truly honest.
This has to be handled with care and sensitivity, to ensure accurate data is captured but in a manner that is fair to participants.
Asking someone about their favourite trainer brand, or why they prefer ITV drama to Netflix, is very different to delving into a private issue relating to health or wellbeing.
However, the agency chosen for research must also have access to participants who are relevant and can provide the required insight.
We are one of a small number of UK agencies who have access to our own separate database of healthcare users and participants and so can quickly find those who are suitable for medical market research questions.
Candidates can be pulled into pharmaceutical market research focus groups, used for in home or in-work interviews or asked to complete participant diaries.
For medical research questions, the biggest challenge some agencies will face is finding participants – often they will have a huge network to call upon relating to business, or website use, but not distinct groups of healthcare users.
Research and consulting on Medical and Healthcare Questions
Market research relating to the medical profession and industry can have a range of uses, including.
The best methods for pharmaceutical market research will always vary by project and would be decided upon in a detailed conversation between the client and research companies.
However, typical approaches include:
As experts in healthcare research, we utilise the following approach to medical market research in order to provide a full service.
As shown by the awards we have won for innovation, we also utilise modern approaches as appropriate.
An example of this market research was in looking at healthcare app usage – it was sensible to seek out participants via social media campaigns, anyone responding via social media likely to have a high propensity to then be someone who would be a dedicated app user.
To get a sense for our past research projects, please take the time to view the detailed case studies below.
The case study for blood born viruses saw us work on a project to explore the pathway to recovery for people with Hepatitis C who also inject drugs.
A key challenge was finding participants that were also in the geographical area required by the brief.
Our database of healthcare and pharmaceutical users was of great benefit and enabled us to quickly ascertain the feasibility of the study.
A separate research project saw us work with a pharmaceutical company who had developed a new app, the aim to see if the app was providing the help and support intended.
The research was looking at uses of asthma inhalers, an app requiring people to submit data, this then anonymised to show patterns of use.
Again, our database of users for market research was beneficial, but we also turned to social media to find further participants – our knowledge of digital methodology meant we were confident that there would be a strong correlation between those responding on social media who would then be comfortable with app usage.
Further details of this case study
Our large medical marketing research team is on hand to help with all your research queries. We’ve got years of experience working with a wide range of healthcare users and companies who work in this field.
Our award-winning pharmaceutical market research team has been recognised throughout our industry, with a reputation for lateral thinking and problem solving that seeks to answer the questions at the heart of your brief.
We provide a tailored, full service approach which begins from our earliest conversations and continues with your dedicated project manager who will keep you updated throughout the research process.
We’re happy to discuss any research methodology and will provide transparent and practical advice on the feasibility of your project.
Further details on our healthcare research services
Please call us on 0161 234 9440 or use our Contact Form to discuss your requirements for market research.
