Lung Cancer Qualitative Research in Japan
Recruitment.
- Countries
Japan
- Client Type
Market Research Agency (MRA)
- Therapeutic area
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
- Respondents Recruited
25 (20 Physicians and 5 Patients)
- Methodology
Web-assisted Telephone Interview (WATI)
- Services Provided
Translation, Recruitment, Moderation, and Transcription.
Business Objective
The client sought to gather insights from physicians and patients as part of a 3-phase global study focused on non-small cell lung cancer NSCLC in Japan.
The study was structured to proceed in three stages:
- Qualitative research: WATIs with 20 physicians and 5 patients.
- Qualitative research: WATIs with 10 physicians and 5 patients, scheduled for September 2024.
- Quantitative research to follow in 2025.
The client’s objective is to gain insights into the perspectives of physicians and patients regarding the burdens of NSCLC, as well as the risks and benefits of various treatment options, such as neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and peri-operative therapies. The study also aims to understand the trade-offs these stakeholders are willing to make between different treatment attributes and their willingness to accept treatment-related risks in exchange for potential benefits.
Challenges
Recruiting NSCLC patients is challenging in general, however it proved particularly difficult to recruit patients who had just been diagnosed, before they get surgery due to the rapid scheduling of surgeries following diagnosis in Japan. Also, the end client’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) also provided a screener with strict guidelines and limited flexibility for adjustments during the interviews.
Key Takeaways
QQFS successfully recruited 20 physicians (including pulmonologists, surgeons, and radiologists) and 5 patients. To ensure compliance with IRB guidelines, the team conducted multiple briefings with the moderator to prepare for the WATIs. Throughout the process, QQFS worked closely with both the client and the Japanese panel team to effectively address and navigate the challenges.
Client Impact
The client expressed overall satisfaction, particularly praising proactive communication and the team’s ability to adapt to the challenges faced during recruitment. They appreciated the efforts made to overcome the complexities of the IRB process, as well as the successful recruitment of both patients and physicians in Japan. The collaborative approach taken by QQFS not only ensured the successful completion of this phase but also established a strong foundation for the subsequent stages of the study.
