The healthcare sector accounts for more than 10% of the GDP of European economies. It is a fiercely competitive market that is the subject of numerous studies, especially in the current context of public debt. Market research firms are particularly active in the field of pharmaceuticals, but this is only one segment. Technology (MedTech) is also a major vertical, along with the insurance sector. We have experts ready to support you regardless of the market segment you operate in.
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Our market research services for the healthcare sector
- Covered territories: France and Belgium for studies among healthcare professionals; all of Europe for patient studies.
- Budget: from €7500 excl. VAT for patient studies.
- Study duration: from 6 weeks for patient studies.
- References: MAIF, Hollister, EMERA, Mint, INAMI, …
Marie-Lucie Gibour, Product Manager, Hollister France
"We are very satisfied with our collaboration with IntoTheMinds on the discovery of a new target.
IntoTheMinds was very efficient in implementing the study and provided us with a detailed report and an in-depth analysis of the current situation. The recommendations on the study methodology proved very relevant, and the participants appreciated the format and content of the interviews."
Healthcare market studies: most frequent use cases
Although studies in the healthcare sector can take many forms, one type dominates all others: studies among physicians. So much so that specialized market research firms have emerged in this niche. Although IntoTheMinds has chosen to remain generalist, we have a dedicated team with advanced knowledge and a well-developed network of physicians in all specialties.
These studies are most often conducted through individual face-to-face interviews or by telephone (CATI) to analyze physicians’ practices regarding:
- a new drug or drug class
- a disease
- a medical device that can be prescribed
Of course, other types of studies are possible but are rarer overall. We provide a few examples below.
Contact IntoTheMinds for your studies among physicians
Points of attention
Health is by nature a sensitive topic because it can be deeply personal. Studies conducted among patients must therefore take potential biases into account. Certain methodological approaches should be avoided: focus groups when the subject is too sensitive, online surveys if there is a risk that the respondent will not be truthful.
For studies involving practitioners (doctors, specialists, pharmacists, …), the most difficult part is gaining access to these individuals. Their time is extremely valuable, and it is necessary to build a network in each country to be able to carry out the studies. These are most often conducted in a qualitative mode (interviews) or via self-administered mode (CAWI). Assembling large samples is particularly challenging, and most studies are therefore based on only a few dozen respondents.
Budget
In the healthcare sector, the budget for most studies exceeds €10,000. It is not uncommon to exceed €1,000 per qualitative interview (including compensation) with certain specialists.
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Examples of studies in the healthcare sector
- Hollister is a manufacturer of medical equipment. For their French subsidiary, we conducted a study on urinary catheters for patients with multiple sclerosis and certain chronic diseases. This study involved interviewing caregivers and aimed to better understand their needs. Given the sensitive nature of the topic, a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews was chosen.
- MAIF commissioned us to conduct a study on employee referral for its HR department. We surveyed 500 HR managers and CEOs in France (CAWI survey) to understand their practices and perceptions of employee referral.
- We conducted a large-scale quantitative study for CoCom (Common Community Commission) on the motivations of citizens not to get vaccinated against COVID. This study was carried out through an online panel (CAWI) as well as face-to-face interviews (CAPI). The results of the study were notably presented during a press conference.
- Mint is a MedTech company that uses Microsoft’s Kinect technology to detect falls. This technology can be used in hospitals, nursing homes, and private residences. We conducted several market studies in France and Belgium for each customer segment. Multiple panel studies were carried out with children of elderly individuals. We also conducted a CATI study with 120 hospital nurses to measure equipment rates and the occurrence of falls.
- The insurer Alan commissioned us to conduct a study on supplementary health insurance needs within companies in Spain, France, and Belgium.
- We conducted a brand awareness study with a representative panel within the catchment area. In parallel, we carried out a patient satisfaction survey.
- Emera develops and manages both medicalized and non-medicalized retirement homes. We supported Emera in its international expansion by conducting local market studies to assess the potential for establishing new facilities. These market studies were carried out in various regions of France, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
- Since 2017, IntoTheMinds has carried out five projects with the Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc (Belgium) as part of the City Lab initiative, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The goal of City Lab is to improve the quality of life of chronic patients by facilitating access to decentralized sample collection centers. IntoTheMinds completed four qualitative studies between 2017 and 2020 and is currently involved in the final phase of the project, which aims to expand the number of regional centers. Each phase was based on a qualitative methodology: - focus groups with different target groups (specialist physicians, nursing staff, general practitioners) – qualitative interviews with patients and other profiles less easily reached through focus groups The various projects enabled longitudinal monitoring of progress and alignment of project goals with the needs of different target audiences. The project led to the opening of the first City Lab in August 2020.
- IntoTheMinds was commissioned by the association "Les Amis des Aveugles" to conduct a qualitative and quantitative study aiming to assess the satisfaction of blind and visually impaired individuals regarding access to Flemish association services. This study followed a first project carried out the previous year on the needs of visually impaired people in Belgium. After an in-depth literature review of associative services offered across Europe (analysis of 8 countries, over 30 associations reviewed, and more than 70 services identified), we developed an interview guide structured around six main types of services. Both studies were based notably on several dozen interviews, most of which were conducted at the homes of visually impaired individuals to immerse ourselves in their daily lives (ethnography).