The Patients’ Voice - Frequently Asked Questions

You may have a wide variety of questions about The Patients’ Voice. If they are not answered here please send an e-mail and we shall get back with you as soon as we possibly can.

What is The Patients’ Voice?

The Patients’ Voice is the collective name for a group of research communities run by The Patient Connection. The Patient Connection provides market research services to the healthcare industry. Our clients are normally other research agencies or marketing companies who request us to help them with their projects.
The Patients’ Voice itself is a set of communities of patients (that is people who suffer from acute and/or chronic conditions), their carers, and their family members who have all agreed to participate 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.

How do I join the Panel?

Very easy. Just click here and answer a brief questionnaire. You will then be eligible to participate in your first research study with The Patients’ Voice.

What do you do with the personal information I provide?

The personal information you provide us is used to identify you and others in your household for appropriate survey and group your answers with other panellists. All personal information is kept in a secured data file and used for analysis. Additional information regarding your privacy can be found in The Patients’ Voice Members’ Charter.

What if I need to change my e-mail address or other personal information?

Since your e-mail address is the best way for us to contact you, any change in your e-mail address is important to us. Please send the changes to us at info@thepatientconnections.com

What is market research?

Simply put, market research is the systematic collection of information about a group of people or organisations with the view to gain insight into that group. This group 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 cosmetic product aimed at teenage women. The topics are as diverse as people themselves. The Patients’ Voice, it must be stated, only works in the fields of healthcare and medical market research. Our research is about finding out the opinions of our members and it not part of any drug trialling process.

What kind of studies could I be invited to participate?

All sorts. 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. In some rare cases our clients might even want you to keep a diary of your treatment regime.

What if I have problems in completing a survey?

There will always be a help desk e-mail address on survey invitations sent by The Patient Connection. Alternatively you can contact your community administrator Belinda Shale at Belinda.shale@thepatientconnections.com and she will be able to help.

Who joins the Panel?

People of all ages across the globe. 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 even in one case Mongolia. What unites all our members is their willingness and commitment to participate in medical market research.

How often may I undertake surveys?

We shall invite you to participate if the subject is relevant. Normally we should not expect you to participate in a survey more that once or twice a month.

Do I have to take part in surveys?

Not at all, as participation in projects is always voluntary. We wish you to participate only in surveys which you feel are relevant.

Who will be asking me the questions?

In most cases it will be The Patient Connection asking you questions on behalf of our clients. However in certain situations the questions may be asked directly by another research agency. But in all cases the research will have been vetted by The Patient Connection.

What happens once I have completed a survey? How do I receive my gift?

If a reward is available you will become eligible to receive it once the survey is finished. We shall send you your gift within 28 days of a study’s completion. We shall be able to identify you via your registration password, perhaps a screening interview or telephone call. However if you participate in a face-to-face interview or group you will most likely be given your reward on the spot.