There’s been a lot of activity lately in the hemophilia community around market research. In fact, I’ve never seen it so busy! We often are hired to help invite bleeding disorder patients and caregivers (those who care for children 17 and under) to participate. So what are they, what do they do and how do they work?

Pharmaceutical companies sometimes have new reconstitution devices that they need to test run before they bring them to market. This makes sense as they can’t invest all the research and money only to find out that consumers don’t like them. Sometimes these are actual clinical studies and sometimes they are market research. These usually require patients and caregivers to be present, so they are held in facilities across the country. I know some that will take place in California  and one in Massachusetts soon.

Sometimes, pharma just want to know what you think: about products, efficiency, treatment. This can be done in person (sometimes they hire market researchers to come to your house!) or on the phone, or increasingly via a website.

They are almost always paid, so you can make good money in a short period of time for participating. The in-person interviews tend to pay the most. Sometimes $150 for a one to two hour interview. But even the on-line or web based ones pay: $50 to even $100 for a 30 minute survey.

The most important thing to know is to protect your privacy. You don’t want to give away identifying information to just anyone. We go to great lengths to protect each of our participant’s privacy. So you get the benefits of making a difference while making some money without worry!

If you want to participate, let us know! We are always looking to include more patients and caregivers in our studies. Just email at laurie@kelleycom.com and we will keep our eyes open for you as a participant!

Great Book I Just Read
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

This is a classic, of course, and for great reasons. Witty, wonderful story, and no one sees into the heart and soul of what boys are made of like Twain. Young Tom Sawyer grows up in St. Petersburg, Missouri, where his biggest concerns are how to trade up marbles, avoid school and win the heart of Becky Thatcher. Until he witnesses a murder, in which an innocent man is blamed. Then begins a long journey to maturity that includes buried gold, being trapped in a cave and a final battle with “Injun Joe,” the true murderer. Five/five stars.