Q. What is digital therapeutics (DTx) market research?
A. Digital therapeutics market research is focused on treatments which are digital in nature, using software that is written to manage or treat human health concerns, from mental health disorders to pain management and a wide range and spectrum of diseases. In fact, the scope of disorders and diseases treated by DTx is growing daily.
Digital therapeutics are regulated with similar standards as medical devices and other traditional therapies, with efficacy and safety considerations which ensure quality for patients.
Examples of digital therapeutics include mobile apps, apps for mobile tablets or computers, as well as dedicated electronic devices (sometimes custom-built for specific DTx uses).
The rise of digital therapeutics plays well with the increasingly consumer-driven healthcare and at the same time puts new treatment options into the hands of physicians by offering new tools and options for their patients.
Q. What types of research projects are conducted for digital therapeutics?
A. Typical types of projects in DTx market research include:
Opportunity assessment
Needs mapping
Attitudes and usage
Concept testing
Formal user experience (UX)
Engineering design flow testing
Interface and function testing
Product journey
User segmentation (adopter types)
Forecasting/pricing
Positioning
Message development
Ethnography/observation studies
Pilot/prototype testing
User evaluation
Feature choice exercises