Frequently asked Questions
The Patients Voice – your questions answered
Welcome to the section of this site outlining the way the Patients Voice works. We thought the best way of doing this was to present a set of frequently asked questions. Hopefully we have covered most of your questions, but if not, please feel free to send an email to info@healthcarelandscape.com. We aim to reply to you within a couple of working days.
What is the Patients Voice?
The Patients Voice is the name for a group of research communities consisting of patients, their friends, family and carers. Members of The Patients’ Voice come from all walks of life but are all united by their interest in participating in market research. Members can participate in market research through the Patients Voice and interact with each other totally independently through a social network forum called The Icare Café.
Is the Patients Voice a panel?
You may have come across the term “market research panel” or you might already be a member of such a panel. There are lots of them around. We have similarities with a panel in the sense that we provide people with the opportunity to participate in market research studies. However the Patients Voice is better described as a research community. Because of so many subjects emerging from the Patients Voice blogs we decided to launch another site called the Icare Café. This site allows our members to explore other healthcare avenues, with the added bonus of interacting freely amongst themselves.
Who joins the Patients Voice?
Age is nothing but a number, on this site - in other words anyone can join. Normally your fellow members are patients themselves but often they will be carers, supportive family members or friends. Currently we have members from all over Europe and North America but others come from such diverse places as China, Brazil and Mongolia. What unites all our members is an interest in medical and healthcare market research.
Do I have to pay to become a member of the Patients Voice?
Absolutely not! All research as a matter of principle is a voluntary activity. In fact in many cases our clients like to offer you some kind of reward to thank you for your kind co-operation.
Who runs the Patients Voice?
The Patients Voice is run by a UK-based company called Healthcare Landscape. Although based in Europe we offer global market research services to healthcare and medical organisations. These could be governments, charities or commercial operations such as pharmaceutical companies. But we also do work for other market research agencies and public relations companies. For more information why not have a look at our corporate web site www.healthcarelandscape.com.
How do I join the the Patients Voice?
Very easy. Just click here and answer a brief introductory questionnaire. This ensures that you are asked to participate in suitable surveys. You will then be ready to be invited to do your first research study with the Patients Voice.
What do you, the Patients Voice, do with the personal information I provide?
The personal information you provide is used to identify categories of respondents suitable for specific projects. All personal information is kept in a secured data file and used for analysis purposes only.
What if I need to change my email address or other personal information?
Simply email us at info@healthcarelandscape.com with any changes and we will amend your details. The same applies if you wish for whatever reason to leave the Patients Voice. Just send us an email.
What is market research?
In a nutshell, market research is the collection of information about a group of people or organisations. The purpose is to gain information about that group as a group not as individuals. This could be a set of particular physicians, different kinds of companies or indeed general consumers. For example it might be an opinion poll of a nation's voting habits or it could be to find out the market potential of a new product.
The topics are as diverse as people themselves. The Patients Voice members will only be invited to take part in healthcare and medical market research studies.
Has this got anything to do with testing new medicines?
Not at all! This is not what the Patients Voice is about. Our research is about discovering your opinions and learning about your experiences. In some cases we may wish to find out how you use a particular device or product, but will not ask you to try any new medicines.
In what type of studies could I be invited to participate?
It varies. You could be invited to participate in telephone surveys or those conducted over the internet. On the other hand you might be asked if you would like to take part in group discussions (often called focus groups) or face-to-face interviews. We might want you to keep a diary of your treatment regime. Increasingly we may invite you to take part in videos filmed over a period of some days.
What if I have problems in completing a survey?
There will always be a help desk email address on survey invitations sent by Healthcare Landscape. Alternatively you can contact a community administrator at info@Healthcarelandscape.com, where someone will answer your query.
How often will I be invited to participate in surveys?
Typically no more that once or twice a month. But depending on your particular condition and/or location it could be more often.
Do I have to take part in surveys?
Not at all, as participation in projects is always voluntary.
Who will be asking me the questions?
The majority of our studies are conducted by Healthcare Landscape personnel or our colleagues. If there are any exceptions we will notify you prior to the study.
What happens once I have completed a survey? How do I receive my gift?
We endeavour to send you your gift within 28 days of a study’s completion. The nature of the gift varies from study to study, however it is usually a cheque or a voucher. We will always specify its value and the type of gift, when we invite you to participate.
