Returning to face-to-face interviews
With all restrictions lifting in England this week, and other parts of the UK not far behind, what does this mean for how we conduct medical market research going forward??
The COVID-19 pandemic created a sudden and significant change in the research sector, with medical market research being more deeply affected than most. In response to the pandemic, GKA made the move to a digital-first approach, enabling research to continue and medical advancements to be made. In rising to this challenge, we continue to meet the needs of our clients and support our participants throughout these difficult times.?
But as?societies?starts?to reopen,?what does this mean for in-person research??
What are we?noticing??Over the past month, we have started to see a greater number of our clients talk to us about providing participants in person as part of their research requirements. This has seen us returning to central locations, supporting medical device testing, and moderating research on behalf of our clients.?
What has the experience been?like??
Like most opportunities to engage in person as we come out of this pandemic,?meeting participants has been a?really positive?experience. At GKA we spend a lot of time ensuring our participants fully understand the research they are undertaking and work to allay any concerns they may have. During these last few weeks, this has gone further to provide information on our COVID-19 procedures and support any?associated?anxieties participants might have.?We have also been keeping up to date with the latest guidance from the BHBIA and adapting our approaches to meet these standards.?
The client's perspective:?
Like us, our clients have?been thrilled?to get back to in-person?research?once again. Hearing and observing people as they engage in real life?provides an additional depth of insights that can be hard?at times?to replicate digitally.?
What does this mean for the?future??
Much of how?GKA?takes?research forward will be driven by the needs of our clients and participants.?That said, we can?definitely?envisage?a future?characterised by?a hybrid of digital and in-person research. We’ve learned a lot through this?pandemic,?and we?will?continue to apply?these?lessons?to the research we undertake. Our experience?over the last 18 months?has shown?us?that a digital approach can support participation with specialist doctors and more vulnerable patients who?may otherwise not have had the capacity or infrastructure to engage.?
Want to learn?more??
Our Research Manager, Huw Davies, has a wealth of experience in all aspects of planning and undertaking qualitative research, and has guided the team through changes in our approach during this pandemic. If you would like to talk to Huw about his experience, insights or to explore a new medical research project?you’ve got coming up, then please feel free to contact him on?+44?(0)1242 220240 or?email?[email protected].?Full details of the research GKA undertakes on behalf of our clients can be found?at?www.gilliankenny.com.??