Long live word of mouth!
We are delighted that The General Dental Council (GDC) has once again commissioned Community Research and Research Now to run their 5,000 strong Word of Mouth patient and public panel. We refreshed the panel last month to ensure that it was still a nationally representative sample and then it was straight back to business.
Over the past 2 years the GDC, the regulator for the dental profession, has used the panel to understand the views of patients and public on a variety of issues, including:
A large scale quantitative study to gain feedback following dental appointments.
A website usability study.
A review of the type of information displayed in the GDC’s online register of professionals.
A fast turnaround survey to test the reaction of the public to a news story about a dentist who had been struck off the GDC’s register because of unhygienic practices.
As well as using the panel for a range of traditional research projects, some panellists have also had the opportunity to meet with the GDC and take part in a deliberative event to inform the GDC’s Corporate Strategy.
Going forward the overarching aims for the panel remain the same as they have always been and we look forward to working with the GDC:
To provide a permanent, flexible and cost effective method for research and patient and public engagement.
To establish a group of patients and the public whose knowledge and understanding of dentistry will grow over time to provide insight about public attitudes and perceptions of dental regulation and their experience of dentistry.
To provide an effective communications and engagement mechanism for the GDC with patients and the public.
To find out more about how we can help you establish a bespoke panel or online community contact Rachel@communityresearch.co.uk