Looking for a flexible way to make extra money from home without committing to another job?
Your everyday experiences of healthcare could potentially earn you anything from a few pounds for an online survey to £250 or more for taking part in a healthcare research interview or focus group.
You don’t need medical qualifications or specialist knowledge. Paid healthcare market research is specifically interested in hearing from real patients, carers and members of the public about their experiences and opinions.
It can often all be done around your existing commitments, with many opportunities available online or by telephone.
So, could sharing your healthcare experiences become your next side hustle? Here’s how it works.
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Paid healthcare market research can involve online surveys, video calls, telephone interviews and focus groups. Patient First Research says rewards can range from £5 to £60+ for surveys and £60 to £250+ for some interviews and focus groups. Opportunities and eligibility vary, so treat this as occasional extra income rather than a guaranteed wage.
What is paid healthcare market research?
Before launching or improving healthcare services, treatments and products, researchers need to understand the experiences of the people who actually use them.
That might mean researching what it’s like to:
- Live with a particular health condition
- Take prescription or over-the-counter medication
- Care for somebody else
- Use NHS or private healthcare services
- Attend GP, hospital or specialist appointments
- Manage healthcare for your children or family
- Make decisions about your health and wellbeing
Research can take several forms, including paid online surveys, telephone interviews, video interviews, focus groups and online discussions.
Patient First Research is a UK healthcare market research community that connects patients and caregivers with paid research opportunities.
And don’t automatically rule yourself out because you don’t think of yourself as a “patient”. Researchers can be interested in a wide range of experiences depending on the particular study.
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Paid market research isn’t a replacement for regular employment and opportunities aren’t guaranteed. However, it can be a useful addition to your collection of flexible side hustles.
How much can you make from healthcare market research?
This is where healthcare research can become particularly interesting.
According to Patient First Research, typical rewards can include:
Online surveys: £5 to £60+
These can often be completed entirely online and fitted around work, childcare and other commitments.
You might complete one while sitting on the sofa in the evening, for example, without travelling anywhere.
Telephone interviews and focus groups: £60 to £250+
Longer or more involved studies can offer considerably higher rewards.
An interview might involve spending an hour discussing your experiences with a researcher over the phone or by video call.
If the study is a good match, that could mean earning £100 or more for an hour of your time.
However, don’t start calculating your new monthly income just yet.
The amount you can make will depend on which research projects are running and whether your circumstances and experiences meet the criteria for a particular study.
You might receive several suitable opportunities at one point and very few at another.
For that reason, we’d treat healthcare market research as a way to earn occasional extra money, rather than income you can depend on every month.
Do you need experience or qualifications?
No.
In fact, researchers aren’t generally looking for professional survey takers. They want to hear from real people with relevant real-world experiences.
You don’t need a medical qualification or previous market research experience.
You simply need to answer questions honestly and be willing to discuss your experiences and opinions.
That’s one of the reasons this can work well as a flexible side hustle.
WHY IT CAN WORK AROUND YOUR LIFE
- No regular shifts
- No commute
- No requirement to accept every opportunity
- No need to give up your existing job
- Many opportunities can be completed from home
A survey could potentially be completed in your pyjamas from the sofa. Interviews can often be arranged around work, studying or childcare.
If an opportunity doesn’t suit you, you don’t have to take part.
Who could paid healthcare research suit?
Healthcare research could be particularly useful for people who want to make money around:
- A full-time or part-time job
- Childcare
- Studying
- Retirement
- Caring responsibilities
- Freelance or self-employed work
- Other side hustles
It may also appeal if you’re looking for ways to make money online from home but don’t want to sell products or commit to fixed working hours.
What happens if you don’t qualify for a study?
One frustrating thing about many market research sites is spending time answering screening questions only to discover you don’t qualify.
Patient First Research says it tackles this with its Always Reward Promise.
HOW THE ALWAYS REWARD PROMISE WORKS
If you qualify for a research project and complete it, you receive the advertised study reward.
If the study isn’t a match, Patient First Research says you’ll still receive a smaller Participation Reward for completing the initial eligibility questions.
That doesn’t mean every application will result in a big payment, of course, but it means your time spent answering the screening questions can still be recognised.
What could you do with the extra money?
The great thing about an occasional side hustle is that even relatively small amounts can be put towards something useful.
For example, you could use research payments to:
- Top up your weekly food budget
- Build an emergency fund
- Save towards Christmas
- Cover a family day out
- Put money towards a holiday
- Pay down debt
- Add to your savings
A £10 survey won’t transform your finances. But several small payments, combined with the occasional £60, £100 or £150 research opportunity, can add up.
Patient First Research members can also choose to donate some or all of their rewards to charity.
Is paid healthcare market research safe?
Whenever you’re asked to share information about your health, it’s sensible to check carefully who you’re dealing with and what will happen to your information.
Patient First Research is a UK-based company specialising in healthcare market research. It says it operates in accordance with UK GDPR requirements and healthcare market research industry standards.
The research is conducted for research purposes rather than as a way of selling products directly to participants.
You should still read the privacy information and terms for any study before agreeing to participate, particularly when sensitive health information is involved.
Never feel pressured to reveal information you’re uncomfortable sharing.
STAY SCAM-AWARE
A legitimate research opportunity should explain what you’ll be asked to do and how you’ll be rewarded. Be wary of unexpected messages asking you to send money or provide banking passwords, PINs or security codes.
You should never have to pay to join a legitimate market research panel.
How to get started with Patient First Research
Joining Patient First Research is free.
After registering and verifying your account, you’ll be asked to complete a profile. This helps the company identify studies that may be relevant to your experiences.
When there’s a potential match, you may be invited to answer some screening questions.
Before agreeing to eligible research, you should be told what’s involved, approximately how long it will take and what the reward will be.
That means you can decide whether the payment is worth your time before taking part.
If it works for you, accept it. If you’re too busy, you can give it a miss.
Can you really make money sharing your healthcare experiences?
Yes, but it’s important to have realistic expectations.
Paid healthcare market research isn’t a reliable salary and there is no guarantee you’ll qualify for particular studies.
What it can offer is a flexible way to earn extra money from home by sharing experiences and opinions you already have.
With online surveys potentially paying from £5 to £60+ and some interviews and focus groups offering £60 to £250+, a suitable opportunity could provide a worthwhile boost to your budget.
For people looking for flexible ways to supplement their income without taking on another regular job, it’s certainly one to investigate.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I earn from paid healthcare research?
Patient First Research says typical online survey rewards can range from £5 to £60+, while telephone interviews and focus groups may offer £60 to £250+ depending on the project. Earnings aren’t guaranteed because eligibility depends on the studies currently recruiting.
Do I need a medical condition to take part?
Not necessarily. Some research projects are looking for people with specific diagnoses, but others may want carers, family members or people with experience of particular healthcare services, treatments or decisions.
Do I need medical qualifications?
No. Researchers are generally looking for genuine experiences and opinions rather than medical expertise.
Can I do healthcare research from home?
Many studies can be completed remotely through online surveys, telephone interviews, video interviews and online focus groups.
Do I have to pay to join Patient First Research?
No. Patient First Research says registration is free.
Will I qualify for every study?
No. Research studies usually have particular eligibility requirements. Patient First Research says that under its Always Reward Promise, people who complete initial screening questions may receive a smaller Participation Reward even where a particular study isn’t suitable for them.
MONEYMAGPIE NOTE
Paid research opportunities, eligibility and reward levels can vary. Participation isn’t guaranteed. Always check the terms, privacy information and payment details before taking part.
