No difference demonstrated between faxed or mailed prenotification in promoting questionnaire response among family physicians: a randomized controlled trial

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• 作者：Melina Gattellari^a ; ^b ; ^{melina.gattellari@sswahs.nsw.gov.au} ; Nicholas Zwar^a ; John M. Worthington^c ; ^d
• 关键词：Postal questionnaires ; Response rate ; Family physicians ; Randomized controlled trial ; Prenotification prompts ; Message
• 刊名：Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
• 出版年：2012
• 期刊代码：148_08954356
• 类别：med
• 出版时间：May, 2012
• 卷：65
• 期：5
• 页码：544-552
• 文件大小：187 K

摘要

Objective

Achieving high survey participation rates among physicians is challenging. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of response-aiding strategies in a postal survey of 1,000 randomly selected Australian family physicians (FPs).

Study Design and Setting

A two 脳 two randomized controlled trial was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of a mailed vs. faxed prenotification letter and a mailed questionnaire sealed with a label marked attention to doctor vs. a control label. At the time of our final reminder, we randomized remaining nonresponders to receive a more or less personalized mail-out.

Results

Response did not significantly differ among eligible FPs receiving a prenotification letter via mail or fax. However, 25.6%of eligible FPs whose questionnaires were sealed with a label marked attention to the doctor responded before reminders were administered and compared with 18.6%of FPs whose questionnaires were sealed with a control label (P = 0.008). Differences were not statistically significant thereafter. There was no significant difference in response between FPs who received a more vs. less personalized approach at the time of the final reminder (P = 0.16).

Conclusion

Mail marked attention to doctor may usefully increase early response. Prenotification letters delivered via fax are equally effective to those administered by mail and may be cheaper.