Increasing response rates of gynaecologists to a survey: a randomised trial of telephone prompts.
This study used a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of telephone prompts to increase the response rate of gynaecologists to a survey. A nine-page questionnaire about management of women with abnormal Pap smears was mailed to Fellows of the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. A random sample was contacted in advance by telephone, and nonrespondents received a telephone reminder 14 days after the initial mail-out. The control group was mailed questionnaires and a reminder letter conventionally. On Day 25, nonresponders in both groups were mailed a second questionnaire. Of the intervention group, 84 per cent responded to the survey compared to 69 per cent of the control group (P = 0.005). A telephone call in anticipation of a mailed questionnaire is highly recommended.
Ward
J
J
School of Medical Education, University of New South Wales, Sydney.
Wain
G
G
D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D017010:Reminder Systems; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone