Who’s who in dentistry: a healthcare fieldwork guide March 20, 2012 There are a total of 106,313 dental professionals in the UK registered to the General Dental Council (GDC). Most of these dentists work as general dental practitioners (GDPs) and practice either under the NHS or privately, with the majority doing a combination of both. According to the 2014 register, there are 41,038 dentists and 65,275 dental care professionals (DCPs) currently working in the UK, making dentistry a rich area for medical fieldwork. written by GKA Read more
Market Research Online Communities: Connecting With Patients August 23, 2011 As the internet gained in popularity over the last 20 years, everyday people turned to forums and message boards to reach out and find others who share their interests and problems. It was therefore inevitable that some of those people would start talking about health issues. These days, numerous health-related websites and forums are full of patients discussing their medical issues, sharing stories and treatment ideas, and offering moral support, enabling patients to make more informed decisions. written by GKA Read more
Growth Hormone Deficiency and healthcare market research June 28, 2011 Facts about Growth Hormone Deficiency Growth hormones deficiency affects 1 in 3,800 children Although the importance of the pituitary gland for growth was recognised in the late 19th century, growth hormone therapy was only made available in the late 1950s Growth hormone is also known as somatotropin Growth hormone was first isolated from the human pituitary gland in 1956 and the first patient was given human growth hormone in 1958 in Boston, USA Since October 1985, biosynthetic growth hormone has replaced the pituitary-derived hormone in the UK Early diagnosis and treatment means most children with growth hormone deficiency will catch up with other children’s growth and achieve a normal growth rate written by GKA Read more
How Caregivers can add insight to your Healthcare Market Research June 22, 2011 When we think of healthcare market research, we tend to think of patients and doctors. We may even think of pharmacists and commissioners if we’re taking a broader view. But one group – a silent army of invaluable helpers – is often entirely forgotten, and that is caregivers. They go by a few different names: unpaid caregivers, non-professional caregivers, informal caregivers. These are the family members and friends who take on the task of providing regular assistance to someone who has limited ability to take care of themselves. Most often these caregivers can be adult children caring for their aged parents, one spouse taking care of the other, or one family member caring for another. In some cases, it may even be a close friend or lifelong neighbour offering essential assistance. written by GKA Read more
A Quick Guide to CCGs for UK Healthcare Market Research June 10, 2011 What are CCGs? Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) were established following the introduction of the 2012 Health and Social Care Act, replacing Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) as the organisations responsible for the delivery of a large percentage of healthcare services for the population in their local area. Led by General Practitioners, and supported by a range of other healthcare professionals, CCGs work closely with a range of other public and private bodies, including local authorities and the voluntary sector, to plan, commission and deliver services. written by GKA Read more
What’s the history behind Cystic Fibrosis? March 4, 2011 Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a disease with an unusual history. In the past, the condition was often diagnosed by mothers who noticed their baby’s skin tasted salty when kissed, a symptom scientists used to develop the first diagnostic test in the later 20th century. written by GKA Read more