Market Research in Health and Social Care

The shift to managed markets means that planners and purchasers of health and social services seek information on needs, while managers who provide these services seek information on performance and response. Market research contributes to both. This text is an introduction to the relevance, planning and management of market research in the areas of health and social care which have developed in Britain and most other industrialized countries. Intended for both managers and students of public sector management and marketing, the book contains instruction on research methods with a selection of real case studies. The book features: an explanation of how managed markets provide the context for market research; a guide to choosing the appropriate survey method; recommendations for commissioning, monitoring and implementing results; practical advice on producing successful student projects; and a comparative international perspective.