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Enhancing Response Rates in Physician Surveys: The Limited Utility of Electronic Options
Author(s) -
Nicholls Keith,
Chapman Kathryn,
Shaw Thomas,
Perkins Allen,
Sullivan Margaret Murray,
Crutchfield Susan,
Reed Eddie
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
health services research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.706
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1475-6773
pISSN - 0017-9124
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2011.01261.x
Subject(s) - family medicine , medicine , data collection , telephone survey , interactive voice response , medline , telephone interview , business , computer science , advertising , statistics , telecommunications , mathematics , social science , sociology , political science , law
Objective. To evaluate the utility of offering physicians electronic options as alternatives to completing mail questionnaires. Data Source. A survey of colorectal cancer screening practices of Alabama primary care physicians, conducted May–June 2010. Study Design. In the follow‐up to a mail questionnaire, physicians were offered options of completing surveys by telephone, fax, email, or online. Data Collection Method. Detailed records were kept on the timing and mode of completion of surveys. Principal Findings. Eighty‐eight percent of surveys were returned by mail, 10 percent were returned by fax, and only 2 percent were completed online; none were completed by telephone or email. Conclusions. Offering fax options increases response rates, but providing other electronic options does not.