Here are the Grace & Able Frequently Asked Questions.
If you can't find what you need here, then drop us a line via our contact page.
What is the Grace & Able Patient Panel?
The Patient Panel is a group of people who live with joint pain conditions like arthritis, EDS and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Members provide feedback on new Grace & Able product designs so that we can make better braces and compression products.
In return, members receive early access to new products and exclusive discounts.
The Patient Panel is not a place to seek medical advice. We do not provide medical advice within the group.
Always speak with your doctor if you have any medical concerns. Here are some resources to help you find medical support and information.
What am I expected to do as a Patient Panel member?
- Provide honest constructive feedback on our designs
- Test out new products and tell us what you think
- Keep product ideas and designs confidential
I'm in! How do I get started with the Patient Panel?
Apply to join the Patient Panel via this online form. We'll be in contact via email in a few days.Can I leave the Patient Panel if I don’t like it?
Yes, of course. All you have to do is to let us know in email. You can also unsubscribe from our emails at any time.
If you have any questions, or just want to take a short break, drop us a line at Sarah@graceandable.com and we’ll sort it out.
We ask that you continue to keep our product designs confidential even when you have left the panel.
How do you choose product testers?
Product testers are chosen according to the type of product that we are testing.
Sometimes we need people with a particular health condition e.g. CMC osteoarthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Other times we need people with particular hobbies e.g golf, knitting, drawing or from a certain demographic e.g over 50.
We always turn to our patient panel first to recruit new product testers.
What happens with product testing?
- You fill in a very short form to apply
- If you are a match, you will be sent a product to try out at home
- We will have a 30 minute phone conversation once you have received the product
- We ask you to use the product every day for at least a week
- You are expected to complete a very quick survey each day
- At the end of the test period, we will have another 30 minute chat.
Do I get to keep the product at the end of the test period?
It depends on the product.
Usually we are happy to give you the product for free as a thankyou for testing it and sharing your feedback.
Occasionally, if it’s an early prototype, we would be able to sell it to you at cost.
We will let you know at the start of the trial if you are going to be able to keep the product or if it’s an early prototype.
Will I get paid for providing feedback or being a product tester?
We don’t pay people for participation in the Patient Panel. This is because it is really important that we collect feedback from people who are likely to use our products.
We have found that when we offer money, we have to sift out lots of people who are signing up for the cash, but don’t actually use orthopedic braces.
We only want people on the patient panel who care about helping us make better products for people.
We do value your time though, which is why we offer exclusive discounts, as well as first access to new products and sales.
We have been known to send out the occasional welcome or thank you gift too.
How do you give back to the arthritis community?
We run two online communities in our spare time. They are the Hand Pain Group, and Women with Rheumatoid Disease.
Chief Medical Officer Trevor pops into the Hand Pain Group once a week to answer your hand pain and hand therapy questions (this does not constitute medical advice).
CEO Sarah has rheumatoid herself, and has been running the lively Women with Rheumatoid Disease community for some time.
Sarah is also very active as a fundraiser for the Arthritis Foundation, and as a patient advocate for the American College of Rheumatology.
