HCA 402
Assignment 1
Module 3 Written Assignment – Marketing Research/Market Segmentation
Written Assignment Requirements:
1. 12 pt. Times New Roman
2. Double Space
3. All margins must be one inch each
4. Please type the question on your paper
The American Academy of Pediatrics wants to conduct a survey of newly graduated family practitioners to assess why they did not choose pediatrics for their specialization. Provide a definition of the population, suggest a sampling frame, and indicate the appropriate sampling unit. This assignment must be one page.
Assignment 2 and 3 are simple discussion questions not a full paper
Assignment 2
Module 3 Discussion – Marketing Research/Market Segmentation
Question 1
Assume that a multi-specialty medical group has decided to segment the market in the community by income level. The group has decided to target a small niche of middle-aged, white-collar professionals who are married, with both spouses working outside the home. How might this medical group tailor its marketing mix to appeal to this segment?
Assignment 3
Module 3 Discussion – Marketing Research/Market Segmentation
Question 2
Discuss the five-stage process of conducting marketing research. Explain in detail.
Assignment 4
Written Assignment Requirements:
1. 12 pt. Times New Roman
2. Double Space
3. All margins must be one inch each
Instructions: Read the case study below. In two pages summary [essay style], make recommendations to resolve the issue. Pay close attention to mission, strategy, and the differences in the value of marketing among the physicians.
An important part of your answer is to identify the issues/actions in the case which may be problematic. The following questions may help you to do this:
What actions were taken in the case?
Were these actions the most appropriate and why?
Were there any consequences of the action taken?
Was anything omitted or not considered?
Were actions/procedures in line with existing codes of practice, policy or theories?
Do you see any challenges?
What kind of marketing strategy is the best fit (niche/mass marketing) ? Why?
Case studies are exercises to help you apply the concepts from your reading. Don't skip your chapter reading!
The Strategic Challenge
The Johnson City Medical Group began in 1932 as a solo specialty, two-person cardiology practice by Timothy and Robert Johnson, two brothers who were born in Johnson City. Over the years, the practice had grown to be one of the largest group practices in the region. Exhibit 1 shows a brief history of the practice.
|
In 2012, the group had grown to over 45 partners and was one of the largest in their specialty of cardiology and cardiovascular surgery. Their mission statement, which the group had developed, was to be “premier heart services for the tri-state region.” Over the past 5 years, however, the group had begun to see referrals shift or be constrained with the increasing growth of multi-specialty practices in their secondary and tertiary services areas. These larger groups had begun to not refer to Johnson City, but rather have kept their cardiology and cardiovascular surgery referrals in-house. The challenge to the group was a long-term issue as the partners entered their annual strategic planning retreat.
Donna Harris was the senior administrator of the medical group. A well-respected person, Donna had worked for these physicians and had helped them grow significantly for the past 15 years. She was seen not only as a strong individual operationally and fiscally, but as having good strategic sense. Two years ago, Donna had hired a Director of Marketing. Some partners in the group were not enamored with this hire, believing it was unnecessary. As the meeting got underway, Donna reviewed the group’s financials. The end-of-the-year partnership distribution was 1 percent less than the preceding fiscal year because of a decline in referrals and a slight change in reimbursement in Medicare. “We need to address the referral issue,” Donna said, “reimbursement changes are less in our control. I have asked Michael, our marketing person, to discuss strategic options for you to consider.”
Michael had been with the group for 2 years. Until this point in time he had primarily been calling on physician offices with the goal of trying to build referrals. He was aware of the fact that some of the physicians in the group questioned the value of his role and the function of marketing. “The drop in referrals is disconcerting,” said Michael. “The trend suggests that the formation of multi-specialty practices on the fringes is eating into our referral business and may only continue. We need to dramatically change our strategy.
“I disagree,” said Dr. Vinod, a cardiovascular surgeon who had been trained at Mayo and was well respected in the group; it possibly just speaks to your ineffectiveness. We are good at what we do, and there is no reason to change anything. We have been and always should be the premier group for heart care.”
“Should we and can we?” said Dr. Carrolton. She was a young cardiologist that had recently received partnership level. She also had received her MBA from a well-known business school. “Will staying the same course change the market trends?”
