10 Questions to Ask Before Commissioning Healthcare Research
Most healthcare research projects underdeliver — not because the research was poorly executed, but because the wrong questions were asked at the outset. This guide walks decision-makers through the 10 critical questions that separate high-impact research from expensive reports that gather dust. Essential reading for any hospital, pharma, or MedTech leader before commissioning primary research in India.
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10 Questions to Ask Before Commissioning Healthcare Research
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Key Findings
- 1
Defining the decision — not just the topic — is the single most important step before commissioning research
- 2
Sample design errors are the leading cause of unreliable findings in Indian healthcare studies
- 3
Most clients underestimate the value of a research debrief versus a written report alone
- 4
Turnaround time expectations are frequently misaligned between clients and research firms
- 5
A clear research brief reduces project cost and improves output quality significantly
Why Most Healthcare Research Underdelivers
In our experience commissioning and conducting hundreds of healthcare research studies across India, the most common cause of research failure is not poor fieldwork or bad analysis — it is a poorly defined research question at the outset. Decision-makers often commission research on a topic ("understand the IVF market") rather than on a decision ("should we enter the IVF market in Tier 2 cities, and if so, which cities and with what model?"). This distinction fundamentally changes what the research needs to deliver, who needs to be interviewed, and what success looks like.
How to Use This Guide
This guide is designed to be used before you brief a research firm. Work through each of the 10 questions with your internal team first. The answers will sharpen your brief, reduce the risk of scope creep, and give you a clear basis for evaluating proposals. If you cannot answer a question, that is a signal — either the research objective needs more internal clarity, or the question itself is one the research should answer.
Who Should Read This
This guide is for strategy and business development leaders at hospital chains, pharma companies, medical device firms, and healthcare investors who commission primary research. It is also useful for internal research and insights teams who manage external research vendors, and for consultants who advise healthcare organisations on market entry and growth strategy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a healthcare market research study take in India?
A well-scoped primary research study in India typically takes 6–10 weeks from brief to final report: 1–2 weeks for questionnaire design and sample finalisation, 3–4 weeks for fieldwork, and 2–3 weeks for analysis and reporting. Compressed timelines are possible but increase the risk of sample quality issues.
What is the typical cost of commissioning healthcare market research in India?
Costs vary significantly by scope, methodology, and geography. A focused qualitative study (20–30 in-depth interviews, single city) typically ranges from ₹4–8 lakh. A multi-city quantitative study with 200+ respondents can range from ₹15–40 lakh. Bespoke competitive intelligence or patient journey studies are priced based on scope.
What is the difference between primary and secondary healthcare research?
Primary research involves collecting new data directly from respondents — physicians, patients, hospital administrators, or consumers — through interviews, surveys, or observation. Secondary research analyses existing published data. For strategic decisions in Indian healthcare, primary research is almost always necessary because published secondary data is sparse, outdated, or not granular enough for market-level decisions.
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