Quantitative Research: Understanding Malnutrition Screening Practices

Recruitment.

  • Client Type

Pharmaceutical Company

  • Therapeutic Area

Malnutrition

  • Countries

Sweden

  • Target Specialties

General Practitioners, District Nurses and Hospital Nurses

  • Total Respondents Recruited

n=130

  • Methodology

Quantitative, Online survey

Business Objective

A pharmaceutical client sought to better understand how malnutrition is identified and managed among elderly patients in primary care and cancer patients in hospital settings.

The study aimed to explore current screening practices, the tools used and the barriers healthcare professionals face when identifying malnutrition in these patient groups. The insights would support the client in identifying gaps and opportunities to improve early detection and intervention.

Project Scope

We supported the full project lifecycle, including questionnaire design and translations, fieldwork and sample delivery and a detailed presentation of findings.
The key challenge was twofold, accessing hard-to-reach hospital-based nurses and achieving a relatively high sample size within a defined timeline. Nurses balance heavy administrative workloads with high patient volumes and shift patterns limit time for research participation, made harder by Sweden’s current staffing shortages.

QQFS Solution

We worked closely with the client from the outset to ensure the study was designed for success and delivered efficiently.

Survey Design and Setup

When it comes to accessing hard-to-reach audiences such as nurses in Sweden, it was important for QQFS to collaborate closely with the client on the survey design.
  • Screener Design: We prioritised a screener that captured the right profiles without creating unnecessary disqualifications. We optimised criteria through routing, combining two initial profiles into one screener and directing respondents to the relevant survey based on role and responsibilities, reducing dropouts and maximising eligibility.
  • Questionnaire Design: Two surveys were developed, one for GPs and primary care nurses and one for specialist hospital nurses. We also focused on making the experience engaging and relevant to busy nurses to support completion.

Custom Recruitment

Our custom recruitment approach was central to the project’s success. While the initial feasibility estimate suggested a lower number of hospital nurse recruits, our team exceeded expectations by delivering the full target of n=60 nurses, including n=30 hospital nurses and n=30 district nurses.

  • Multi-Channel Approach: We used a multi-channel strategy, combining our verified panel with outreach to professional networks, nurse associations and support groups and targeted LinkedIn and Facebook campaigns. This was supported by peer referrals, recruitment calls and tailored reminder activity.

Fieldwork Timeline

We initially estimated a fieldwork timeline of four weeks and were able to deliver the full primary care sample within this timeframe. For the hospital sample, we initially estimated delivery of up to 60% of the sample within four weeks. Due to our custom recruitment approach, we delivered the full required sample within just over five weeks of fieldwork.

Data Analysis and Reporting

All data underwent quality control, including consistency checks, duplicate checks, speeders and outlier reviews, before analysis. We then analysed trends and differences across settings, with additional stratification to support interpretation.
Findings were shared in a clear and engaging presentation with data visualisations built to the client’s specifications for consistent and accessible messaging. We delivered two separate decks, one per care setting, to enable focused review and practical application.

Project Management and Support

We ensured clear and consistent communication throughout the project, maintained compliance with local market requirements and delivered efficient sampling and time in field. Following successful fieldwork, we also supported the client with reporting outputs and presentation of findings.

Client Impact

The study clarified current malnutrition screening behaviours, including how often screening occurs, who leads it and which tools and criteria are used. These insights helped the client assess current practices and refine a more targeted and practical approach to improving detection, escalation and ongoing management across care settings.
The client expressed strong interest in the findings and, building on their value, requested that QQFS run additional analysis to compare outcomes by professional role in addition to the existing comparisons by care setting.

Client feedback highlighted the strength of project management as well as the clarity and timeliness of communication throughout the project lifecycle. The client particularly valued QQFS’s ability to meet and exceed sample expectations within the agreed timeline, especially given the challenges associated with this hard-to-reach audience.

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