Physician participation in research surveys - A randomized study of inducements to return mailed research questionnaires

Author(s): Moinpour, C. M., Bush, N. E., Chapko, M., Jocom, J., Siadak, M., NielsenStoeck, M., Bradshaw, J. M., Bichindaritz, I., Sullivan, K. M.

Journal/Book: Eval Health Prof. 1999; 22: 2455 Teller Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA. Sage Publications Inc. 427-441.

Abstract: The authors randomly selected 400 physicians from a population of 1,545 practicing physicians providing follow-up care to patients who received bone marrow or blood stem cell transplants at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to determine interest in receiving Internet-based transplant information. In a two-factor completely randomized factorial design, the 400 physicians were assigned to receive nailed surveys with either no compensation or a $5 check and either no follow-up call or a follow-up call 3 weeks after mailing. Overall, 51.5% of the physicians returned the mailed surveys. Comparison of legit models showed that inclusion of a $5 check in the mailer significantly (p = .016) increased the probability of returning the surveys (57.5% vs. 45.5%). In contrast, the telephone follow-up had no overall effect. The authors concluded a modest financial reward can significantly improve physician response rates to research surveys but a telephone follow-up may be inefficient and even ineffective.

Note: Article Donaldson GW, Fred Hutchinson Canc Res Ctr, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle,WA 98104 USA

Keyword(s): RESPONSE RATES; MONETARY INCENTIVES; FOLLOW-UP; TRIAL; CHOLESTEROL

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