Methodologies

In order to fully meet the needs of our clients, Arbor Associates, Inc. offers a broad range of research services using Qualitative Opinion Research, Quantitative Opinion Research and Analytical Studies.

These projects are usually conducted on-site and include focus groups as well as one-on-one interviews. Focus groups are often conducted as an initial step in the design of patient expectation/satisfaction surveys. They frequently identify unique factors affecting satisfaction that may not have been considered without input from patients and/or staff.

One-on-one interviews are conducted either in person or over the telephone. They are most frequently done when detailed or sensitive input is needed from key opinion leaders.

Quantitative

When low response rates are anticipated and statistically reliable data is necessary, randomly sampled one-on-one telephone interviews are conducted.  This is, by far, the best way to determine the expectations, attitudes and perceptions of the following groups:

• Hospital inpatients and outpatients (department-specific)

• Patients who visit physician offices

• Patients who receive home care services

• People living in the client service area

Arbor also offers written surveys and interactive online surveys to determine the attitudes and perceptions of key groups within an organization such as:

• Hospital employees

• Medical staff members

Analytical Studies

Arbor has many years of experience performing market-based analysis of inpatient and outpatient origin databases maintained by state hospital associations. In addition, we are very familiar with the various recognized means of estimating staffing requirements for primary care and specialty physicians. Arbor uses these databases to produce the following information:

• The hospital's current market share for inpatient and/or outpatient services

• The potential to do more of current services broken-down by zipcode, patient demographics and payor mix.

• The potential demand for new services also broken-down by zipcode, patient demographics and payor mix.

• The number, location and timing of recruitment requirements for primary care and specialty physicians according to the ability of the local market areas to support their practices as measured by office visit volume.