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CHARLESTOWN,
R.I. (May 15, 2001) – Only 8 percent of family caregivers say home
medical supply store staff have a lot of influence on their decisions
regarding purchases of caregiving health products, according to a new
nationwide survey of over 1200 family caregivers. Pharmacists have more
than twice as much influence and physicians five times as much.
Additionally, only 11% of caregivers who participated in the study said
they were very likely to turn to home medical supply store staff for
practical information on caregiving, compared to 59% for home health
professionals and nurses (in hospital/doctor’s office) combined, 42%
for doctors, 37% for specialty therapists and 20% for pharmacists.
“The
results suggest that many HME/DME stores have yet to take advantage of
the great opportunity to increase sales and build customer loyalty by
positioning themselves as a resource for caregivers”, said Paul Alper,
founder and president of The Caregiver’s Advisory Panel, Inc. (TCAP)
which conducted the survey.
Alper
noted that there are more than 25 million caregiving families in the
United States and that 79 percent of family caregivers say they make all
or nearly all of the purchases of home health care products
“The
staff of HME/DME stores would be a logical place for these millions of
caregivers to learn more about caregiving products, but that’s not yet
happening,” Alper said. “HME/DME
stores have a significant opportunity to reach out to these caregivers
and give them the information and advice on products that could make
their caregiving easier.”
The
study involved a survey of more than 1,200 members of The Caregivers
Advisory Panel, Inc. (TCAP), all of whom provide care to someone who
needs assistance as a result of an illness, a disability or the aging
process. Survey
participants came from across the country and represent virtually all
caregiving situations and circumstances.
A special report, based on the survey results is being released
on May 15, 2001: The Caregivers Report – Strategic Insights for HME
Providers.
“DME/HME
stores should make efforts to position themselves as providers of
information as well as products,” Alper said.
The report contains over 20 strategic insights and
recommendations for how HME providers could accomplish this – tactics
they can immediately implement within their current business models.
Alper
said he launched TCAP to create a market research and consulting
practice for health care manufacturers, service providers, DME/HME
stores and policy makers that completely focuses on understanding the
needs, wants and opinions of family caregivers.
“To
the best of our knowledge, there has not been a research company
exclusively dedicated to really understanding the needs of family
caregivers when it comes to home medical products, services and
equipment” he said. “This
report gives voice to the needs of caregivers across the country.”
For
more information about TCAP and this Report for DME/HME dealers, please
call 1-877-595-6227 or visit http://www.caregiversadvisorypanel.com.
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1-401-364-9100