Week 1 Update – Finalizing Surveys and Meeting with Professionals

Saren S -

Hi everyone! Welcome back to the first week of my research project.

This week, I have been finalizing the surveys I plan to administer, ensuring they effectively capture the different aspects of stress that come with affording and accessing EpiPens. The surveys include questions on financial strain, emotional distress, and the impact on decision-making regarding healthcare. I am designing them to collect both qualitative and quantitative data, allowing me to analyze patterns in stress levels among individuals who rely on EpiPens.

Additionally, I have been meeting with allergists in the Scottsdale-Phoenix area to gain insight into my research approach. These meetings have helped me refine my survey questions and consider other factors, such as insurance barriers and policy regulations, that contribute to patient stress. The allergists have provided valuable perspectives on how EpiPen costs influence treatment adherence and patient anxiety, helping me shape the next steps of my research.

Additionally, I plan to begin looking into policies regarding monopolies in healthcare and how they contribute to the high costs of life-saving medications like EpiPens. By examining existing regulations and insurance barriers, I aim to understand why prices remain inflated despite public outcry and the availability of alternatives. I will also explore how insurance companies determine coverage for EpiPens and whether their policies add to the financial and emotional stress of patients.

My plan for the upcoming week is to begin administering the surveys and collecting responses. I hope to gather data from a diverse pool of individuals, including students, parents, and adults managing severe allergies. This information will help me build a stronger case on how financial stress ties into monopolies in healthcare and why greater regulation is needed to ensure life-saving medications are accessible.

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Comments:

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    amita_b
    Hi Saren! This sounds really great so far! I was just wondering, have you decided how many questions will be in each survey?
    February 14, 2025 at 6:37 pm - Reply
    camille_bennett
    Hi Saren, great start! Are there barriers for schools to get epipens for their health offices as well?
    February 18, 2025 at 12:44 pm - Reply
    saren_s
    Thank you for your question! Right now, I’m aiming for each survey to have around 25 questions. I want to keep it concise enough so that participants don’t feel overwhelmed but still detailed enough to get meaningful insights.
    February 19, 2025 at 11:09 pm - Reply
    saren_s
    Great question! Yes, there are definitely barriers for schools when it comes to getting EpiPens for their health offices. Some of the biggest challenges include high costs, expiration dates (EpiPens need to be replaced every 12-18 months), and policies that vary by state regarding stock epinephrine in schools. In Arizona specifically, schools are allowed to stock undesignated EpiPens, but it’s not required, meaning access depends on funding and individual district policies. Many schools rely on grants or state programs to supply them, but access isn’t always guaranteed.
    February 19, 2025 at 11:13 pm - Reply

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