Health Attitudes Survey Reveals Diabetes Diagnosis Can Have Hidden Benefits
Increased awareness of lifestyle choices benefits newly diagnosed diabetics—particularly among women.
Carlsbad, CA (PRWEB) April 28, 2005 -- morefocus group, a leading on-line
research panel manager and publisher, today announced interim results of its
latest survey in the Healthcare Attitudes series. Conducted by the Group’s NCERx
healthcare division, the initial diabetes survey is part of a 2 year,
disease-specific, longitudinal study covering 70 separate conditions and
involving over 1.5 million panelists.
The most recent diabetes survey
looked specifically at patient attitudes to treatment and was designed for
interview follow-up to research treatment compliance. Although, as expected,
compliance is high among the diabetic population, several interesting results
emerged. "Most people would agree that diagnosis with diabetes is life
changing," said Dr. Regan Carey, the morefocus Study Director. "However, what
may not be so obvious is that the life changes are not all bad. The vast
majority of the 2,000 panelists (82%), reported that they now take a much
greater interest in their overall health, while a surprising 63% report that
they actually appreciate life more since diagnosis."
Richard Scuderi MD
PhD, NCERx Medical Director, commented, "Clearly one would expect an increased
appreciation of lifestyle choices, however detailed interviews with selected
respondents confirm that the 'appreciation of life' question applied to a far
more complex mix of motivators than simply the health aspects."
Women
were twice as likely to make the lifestyle change as men, with a strong split
emerging between the attitudes of the young and the old. While 90% of those over
65+ reported taking better care of themselves, only 54% of those of less than 18
years of age reported the same. In a parallel study of non-diabetic's attitudes,
overall, 59% of those with a diabetic relative reported changing their personal
lifestyle choices since their relative's diagnosis. Again, women were
significantly more likely (73%), to make permanent life changes.
"We are
very encouraged by the response to the Healthcare Attitudes series," commented
Colin Lucas-Mudd, morefocus group CEO, "The data have significant value in
driving the design of our compliance and persistency programs. With less than
17% of patients continuing medication as directed across all conditions after
three months, increasing compliance and persistency is a critical component in
lowering healthcare costs and improving patient care. As the results of each
survey wave are compiled, the importance of patient dialog rather than
unidirectional promotion is increasingly evident. Clearly, pharmaceutical
manufacturers and providers need to take note and adjust their approach more
rapidly than is the current trend."
The diabetes survey results and
information on the Healthcare Attitudes study are available on request from
morefocus at 1.800.549.3904. The on-going survey is available at the Group's
diabetes website, diabetes-and-diabetics.com. In early May, the Group’s clinical
trial publication CTResearch.com will be hosting a survey to compare changing
patient attitudes to Rx marketing and clinical research approaches.
About
morefocus group inc.
San Diego- and London-based morefocus group inc., builds
and maintains on-line consumer relationships. Together with its subsidiaries,
the Company owns and controls one of the Internet's leading healthcare and
lifestyle networks and a suite of proprietary behavioral tracking and content
management applications. The publications and software applications are applied
to recruit, sample and manage professional and consumer panels, recruit clinical
trial candidates, and build marketing ROI for major healthcare and consumer
marketing corporations.
Media Contact
Trevor Monk
morefocus group
inc.
5928 Geiger Ct. Carlsbad, CA 92008
1-800-549-3904 Extension
7005
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/4/prweb234365.htm