Frequently asked questions
Panelist Basics
+What is the Internal Medicine Insider research panel?
The Internal Medicine (IM) Insider research panel is an exclusive community of physicians, medical students and patients willing to share their insights about health care issues with the American College of Physicians (ACP). Through this research panel, participants have a platform to share their opinions and experiences on issues that are important to them, on new products under development and on the products and services they use regularly.
+How do I register to become a panelist?
The Internal Medicine Insider is an exclusive research panel. Registration is by invitation only. You will receive an email inviting you to become an IM Insider.
+I just became an Internal Medicine Insider research panelist – What happens next?
First - thank you for joining! We are delighted to have you as part of our research community and trust that your experience will be valuable and insightful. What happens next is that you will receive an email from us when a survey is available for you to complete. Since our primary method of communication with you initially will be by email, please make sure that we have your correct email address. Next, make sure that you add us to your list of trusted senders so that our emails do not get caught up in SPAM filters. To do so please add the following email address to your list of trusted senders: research@IMInsider.org
+How do I log into my personal IM Insider research panelist website?
Simply visit the Internal Medicine Insider web site (www.iminsider.org) and enter the email address you used to join the panel along with your password in the Panelist Login fields and click “Log in”. You will be directed to the Panelist area where you can update your password and profile, view your account balance, redeem your I-points for valuable rewards, earn additional I-points, and more.
+What are the benefits of being an Internal Medicine Insider research panelist?
By taking surveys, you will have the opportunity to earn I-points that can be redeemed for various rewards. Many surveys take less than 5 minutes. The longer the survey, the greater the number of I-points you can earn. (See the Rewards section to learn more)
You will influence the adoption and development of products and services for healthcare professionals.
You will be privy to information about emerging trends and services before they are released.
You may be invited to attend focus groups or other events.
You can propose topics that are of interest to you for future surveys.
+Do I have to pay to be an Internal Medicine Insider research panelist?
No. There is no membership fee associated with being an Internal Medicine Insider. In fact, as you participate, you’ll earn I-points that are redeemable for various rewards. (See the Rewards section to learn more)
+How do I obtain a password?
The initial email inviting you to become an Internal Medicine Insider research panelist assigned you a temporary password. This temporary password together with your email address will allow you to register and validate information about yourself. You can change your password by clicking on the My Details link. Once on the page, click the "My Details" link and enter your new password.
+I lost my password. Is there a way to retrieve it?
If you can’t remember your password, select the Forgot your password? link found at the bottom of the log in area on the Home page of the Internal Medicine Insider website. Your password will be sent to your email address.
+How do I update or change my email address or password?
Simply log in using your current email address and password and then click on the My Details tab.
+What happens if someone else in my household is a panel participant and we have the same email address?
Only one person per email address can be registered as an Internal Medicine Insider. The first person with a certain email address to register will be a participant. Any subsequent people will need to sign up using different email addresses.
+How long will I remain on the panel?
Participants may remain on the research panel for a total of four years. After two years, you will be asked if you would like to continue for an additional two years. Once you have participated for four years, you will be asked to retire from the panel.
+How do I unsubscribe from the Internal Medicine Insider research panel?
If you would like to unsubscribe from the panel, you may do so by logging in using your current email address and password. Then, click on the My Details link and select "Cancel Participation".
Participating in Surveys
+How do I qualify for a survey?
You may qualify for a survey by answering a few general questions about yourself. The more we know about you, the better able we are to send you surveys that match your unique interests.
+When I give you my personal information when I register, what do you do with it?
The Internal Medicine Insider research panel gathers certain demographic information about panelists when they complete the initial Registration Questionnaire and when they complete surveys. We include this information in your personal profile. This way we can send surveys that correspond to your specific qualifications and personal interests. We also summarize information about the panel to develop statistics, ensuring that the panel is representative of healthcare professionals in internal medicine from across the country. Contact information is used only when we need to communicate with the panel participants.
+How do I participate in the surveys?
Generally, we invite a selected portion of the Internal Medicine Insider research panel to participate in a survey because they meet certain criteria. We send you an email invitation that describes the survey and provides you with a link to the survey so that only you can take the survey.
+How will I know when to take a survey?
For each survey, you will receive an invitation by email or text message inviting you to participate. Most surveys will be conducted on the Web. All you need to do is click on the link and follow the instructions to complete the survey.
+How often will I be asked to participate in a survey?
Internal Medicine Insider research panel members will be invited to participate approximately once a month. Participants may receive one to two reminder invitations for each survey. Once you complete a survey, you will receive I-points which can be redeemed for various rewards. Every invitation will state the number of points for that particular study.
+How long will surveys take to complete? What if I start a survey and run out of time before I can finish it?
Surveys vary in length depending on the subject and can range from one question taking less than a minute to about 10 minutes. If you can’t finish a survey, you can always come back to it at another time. When you return, it will take you to the place where you left off. In general, you will have about one week to complete each survey. Remember that in order to be eligible for a raffle or to receive I-points, you must complete the survey.
+Are panel participants rewarded for completing surveys?
For many surveys, you will be awarded I-points that can be redeemed for various prizes once you’ve accumulated a minimum number of points. For other types of surveys, you will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a prize. The email invitation to a survey will state the number of points being offered or whether a raffle is available for participation in that survey.
+If I receive a study invitation, does that mean I’m qualified to participate?
We do our best to identify surveys that are relevant to you based on the information you provide to us in your profile as well as what you tell us in prior surveys. If there are special eligibility requirements for a particular survey, there may be a few “screening” questions to complete. Even if you do not meet the requirements, you will still receive a few I-points for assisting us. Every invitation will state the number of I-points for the study.
+How long will I have to complete each survey?
You will typically have anywhere from 72 hours to one week to complete a survey.
+Do I have to participate every time I am invited to take a survey?
We encourage you to complete a survey whenever you receive an invitation as we value your opinion. Choosing not to participate in a survey will not affect your panel participation as long as you do not skip three consecutive invitations. After three refusals in a row, you will be asked if you want to be removed from the panel.
+What will happen to my responses?
After combining your answers with those of other participants who have completed the survey, the ACP Research Center analyzes the data and writes a report to summarize the findings. A highlight of findings will be reported on the Internal Medicine Insider website under the "News" link. Individual responses will not be shared.
Information obtained from Internal Medicine Insider surveys may be incorporated into public reports and presentations and may be shared with other organizations from time to time. However, this information and data will be provided in aggregate only and at no time will your identity or personal information be attributed to any specific responses.
+How do panelists receive information about the survey topics they complete?
Certain survey results will be available to all research panel participants. Simply click on the News link on the website.
Technical Questions
+I tried entering the password you sent me to get into the registration, but it didn’t work.
Please click on the Contact Us link to submit your problem and we will help you gain access to registration.
+Does anyone have access to my personal information?
Protecting your privacy is of the utmost importance to us. To review our complete policy on participant privacy, please click on the Privacy Policy link on this site.
+Will the Internal Medicine Insider panel sell my email address?
Absolutely not. The Internal Medicine Insider research panel is firmly committed to protecting your privacy. We promise that we will never willfully sell, trade, rent, disclose or make available your identity or email address to any outside third party without receiving your authorization to do so.
+What if I’m not receiving any surveys?
If you haven’t done so already, please add us to your safe list. ISP’s change their filters often which may cause your survey invitation to end up in your junk email folder or it may be blocked completely. If you are still not receiving any surveys, simply log in to the Internal Medicine Insider site, select "Contact Us" and send us an email.
+Who do I contact if I have a question that is not answered here?
If you are unable to find the answer to your question here, please log in and use the Contact Us form to submit your inquiry.
IM Insider Points
+What are I-points?
In appreciation for your participation in our surveys, we will either award you I-points or include you in a raffle for a chance to win a prize every time you complete a survey. The specific reward will be specified in the email message inviting you to participate. Once you’ve accumulated enough I-points, you may redeem them for rewards.
+How do I redeem my I-points?
You must log in with your current email address and password and then click on the My Home link where you must select “Redeem Points”. Find the reward you want and check to make sure you have accumulated enough points for that prize. Then click to select the item and redeem the points.
+How soon can I start redeeming my I-points?
You may redeem I-points as soon as you accumulate enough to qualify for the reward you desire.
+How long does it take for my I-points to be deposited into my account after I complete a survey?
In most instances, your account is credited as soon as you complete a survey. Occasionally, it may take a day for the credit to be posted.
+Do I have to redeem all my I-points at once?
You control how and when to redeem your I-points based on the prizes available. You can choose to redeem all of your I-points, just some of your I-points, or you can continue to accumulate them for later use.
+May I transfer my I-points to another panel participant?
Although your I-points can be redeemed for rewards valued at cash-equivalent prices, your account has no cash value. Your I-points cannot be transferred or combined with any other Internal Medicine Insider’s account. You are limited to one account per individual.
+Do I have to pay anything to receive my reward(s)?
All costs for the rewards are covered by the American College of Physicians (ACP). There are no hidden costs. You do not have to pay anything to receive your rewards.
+Will my Insider Points expire?
I-points may be redeemed for rewards as long as you are an active member of the Internal Medicine Insider research panel. Once you are removed from the panel, your I-points are eliminated.
+Will I receive points even if I do not complete the entire survey?
If you are invited to participate in a survey, but do not complete all of the survey questions, you will not receive the I-points or other incentive for that survey.
+How do I check to see if my points have been transferred to my Insider account?
Your personal page on the Internal Medicine Insider web site will show the I-points you have earned for participating in surveys. To view your I-points balance simply log in using your current email address and password. Then, click on the My Home link and select "Account balance". If you are interested in redeeming points, simply select "Redeem Points" on the My Home link.