Who’s who in Haemophilia? A medical fieldwork guide February 8, 2016 What is haemophilia? Haemophilia is an inherited disorder affecting the body’s ability to clot. Normally when somebody cuts themselves, clotting factors and platelets combine to make the blood stickier and make the bleeding stop. When someone suffers from haemophilia, bleeding episodes will last longer due to abnormal clotting. Bruising can also occur more easily, and it is not uncommon for spontaneous bleeding to occur. The main problem for haemophiliacs is internal bleeding into joints, muscles and soft tissues, which can cause pain and stiffness as well as leading to joint damage. written by GKA Read more
Who’s who in Allergy? A medical market research guide; January 14, 2016 The United Kingdom is officially a nation of allergy sufferers. According to recent studies, 21 million adults in the UK have an allergy, whilst 50% of children and young people suffer with one or more allergies – with that number increasing to 60-80% if their parents have allergies too. Why is it so hard to find a true Allergist for medical market research? written by GKA Read more
How to conduct medical market research with children November 25, 2015 Children and young people are a vital demographic in all fields of market research; they often give more honest answers than adults and can provide a wealth of insights and information. However, conducting medical market research with younger demographics – is a very sensitive process and not without its share of difficulties. Not only are there a number of rigorous rules and regulations that must be followed to ensure the safe and ethical conduction of research, but it is often much harder to communicate with children and analysing the information gathered can also be problematic. written by GKA Read more
Who’s who in Cystic Fibrosis? A medical market research guide November 12, 2015 According to the latest Cystic Fibrosis Trust figures, there are currently over 10,000 people diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis in the UK, five babies are born with CF each week, and two people die. written by GKA Read more
Why are CCGs important for medical market research? November 11, 2015 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. How have CCGs evolved since their inception? The most significant change since their inception is the involvement of CCGs in the co-commissioning primary care services. Previously undertaken solely by NHS England, 64 CCGs have now committed to a new joint commissioning arrangement that will see frontline medical practitioners having more of a say in the nature of the primary care services they can purchase and deliver. Around 70% of all CCGs throughout England are now involved in primary care planning in some capacity, and also deal with a range of other issues such as individual funding requests (for particular treatments or pharmaceutical products). written by GKA Read more
NHS Grades – What healthcare market researcher’s need to know October 21, 2015 During the 19th Century there was a growing sense that universal healthcare provision was the sign of a civilised society. However, it wasn’t until the Second World War, which saw the introduction of a widespread emergency medical service and led to major systemic changes in society, that the foundations of the NHS were truly laid. So in 1948, the old mix of paid-for and charitable provision was replaced by a national healthcare provision that was free to all, something that remains the largest publicly funded healthcare service in the world. Within the British healthcare service, there is a structured medical hierarchy that until 2005 had changed little over the decades, with NHS doctors categorised according to their level of training, experience and specialty. written by GKA Read more