Sector: Healthcare / FDA-Related Research / Qualitative Insights

Role: Qualitative Researcher and Moderator

The Challenge

When new prescribing information is introduced, healthcare providers are expected to interpret it quickly and apply it accurately in practice. But even well-structured materials can be misunderstood, skimmed, or filtered through prior prescribing habits.

For this engagement, the goal was to better understand how prescribers interpreted the differences between two medications, with particular attention to dosing guidelines, limitations, and indications. The client needed qualitative insight into where confusion emerged, what providers understood clearly, and where communications could be improved.

The Approach

PRC Impact conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with prescribers to assess comprehension of prescribing information and identify patterns in how providers processed and applied the material.

Key responsibilities included:

• Moderating a batch of in-depth interviews using a structured interview guide with probing and root-cause analysis techniques

• Exploring prescribers' understanding of dosage guidelines, limitations, and indications for the medications under review

• Identifying where confusion emerged when respondents skimmed or incompletely reviewed the prescribing information

• Surfacing recurring response patterns, including overreliance on brief answers and prior practice knowledge

• Synthesizing topline findings and recommendations to strengthen future communications and improve prescriber understanding

The Outcome

The research showed that most prescribers understood the differences between the medications when they fully engaged with the prescribing information, but confusion emerged when materials were skimmed or when providers relied too heavily on prior knowledge. The findings also highlighted the need for clearer emphasis on key differences, stronger reinforcement of dosing guidance, and more specific pediatric information in future materials.

Why It Matters

This case study reflects PRC Impact's ability to lead qualitative healthcare research that goes beyond surface-level feedback. It shows how in-depth interviews can help clients understand not just whether materials are being read, but how they are being interpreted, where comprehension breaks down, and what changes may improve clarity in real-world clinical settings.