Answers to good questions create…more good questions.
Here’s one example: Our firm has conducted dozens of surveys since the early days of wearing COVID masks. Several of those surveys asked the public, “Who do you trust on medical and health issues?”
The consistent strong answer: Nurses and doctors. The white coats are today’s trust bearers. Hands down.
But hospitals and public health officials? Less and less over time. A reflection of our trust-challenged culture. It looks like this:
How much do you trust each of the following people, organizations and companies when it comes to providing information about medical and health issues?
Which begs this strategic question: How do healthcare leaders responsibly leverage the public’s resilient trust in caregivers so they can win their organizational goals? (Class, discuss.)
Over the past five years, Jarrard Market Research & Insights has conducted more than 30 surveys at the national and state levels, compiling 961 slides (we took the time to check) with insights into the state of healthcare inside and outside hospitals’ four walls.
There are gems throughout these nearly one thousand survey slides. It’s a treasure trove of healthcare consumers’ – and healthcare workers’– perspectives.
Like this one: We asked “please select the feeling” that describes your perspective on different sectors of the industry. Survey says:
In terms of grassroots politics, local experience rules. Local insurance, local hospitals is powerful.
In terms of grassroots politics, local experience rules. Local insurance, local hospitals are powerful.
But that local strength can be much more powerful (and providers need all the political heft they can get today).
How does the industry – and, how do you, healthcare leader – get that local number to rise above 50 percent?
These are the data points that cause our research team to wake up in the middle of the night to scribble notes for a follow-up question on that notepad on the nightstand. And that make our consulting colleagues skip the new season of Severance so they have more time to think about how to turn the data into specific action.
A few more diamonds in the rough?
Community benefit is often defined as providing services designed to improve community health and help increase access to healthcare. In general, how much community benefit do hospitals in your area provide?
(After presenting respondents with details about community benefit): Now, considering what we’ve asked about, do you agree that nonprofit tax-exempt hospitals …in your area provide enough community benefits to keep their nonprofit status?
Question we’re asking: At a time when healthcare organizations are under ever increasing scrutiny, how do they tell an even better story about the work they’re doing in and for their communities?
Another one:
Now, thinking about the use of AI in a clinical setting, doctors and nurses are beginning to use AI to help diagnose and treat patients. Please indicate how much you trust the use of AI by doctors and nurses in providing medical care.
Question we’re asking: How do healthcare leaders effectively implement technology in a responsible, caring way that builds trust?
No fair asking Grok3 for an answer.
One more set:
How much do you trust that “the leaders of my organization are honest and transparent”?
How much do you trust that “the leaders of my organization are honest and transparent”?
Question we’re asking: How do you authentically build trust in a time when alignment is more important than ever?
Your turn: What would you ask America (about healthcare)?
The cultural and political and economic mood is chaotic today. The challenges to our industry are significant with far reaching consequences.
It’s an important time to ask good questions. And to listen well to the answers.
We have two national surveys in development today – fielding next month – and want to hear what healthcare questions are keeping you up at night.
What healthcare question would you ask America today? What would you want to learn from the American public or the healthcare workforce?
The first step to building effective solutions is asking smart questions that shine light on the best path forward.
Have a question you’d like to ask? Email and tell us. Add to the treasure.
Editor’s note
Lastly, in each Quick Think we include a note that lists contributors and an image credit. None of this good work happens without the truly brilliant work of colleagues across the firm. In particular:
- Katie Stephens, who’s been single-handedly responsible for about 900 of our 961 research slides over the years. We’ve heard from many of you about the stunning data visualization in our survey reports. That’s Katie.
- Shannon Threadgill, who develops the clever and creative banners you see each week in the Quick Think – we hope you pick up on some of the Easter eggs he leaves – and has contributed to many of the survey decks.
Data means nothing if you can’t read and understand it, and we’re grateful to Katie, Shannon and the rest of the Jarrard Creative team for making every number land well.
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