Print format and sender recognition were related to survey completion rate.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether print format (single-sided vs. double) and sender recognition (known vs. unknown) affect response and completion rates among physician survey respondents.


METHODS
Postal survey of 399 members of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians; 2 x 2 factorial design.


RESULTS
Response rate was 69.4%. Single-sided printing yielded 7.4% (odds ratio OR = 1.41; 95% confidence interval CI = 0.90-2.20; P = 0.13), and a known sender yielded a 6.3% greater response rate (OR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.47-1.14; P = 0.16). Overall item completion was 98.2%; items missed per respondent ranged from 1 to 14 out of 50. Print format and sender recognition interacted in predicting completion rate (OR = 13.33; 95% CI = 3.10-57.4; P = 0.001); completion was higher for double-sided printing with an unknown sender, and for single-sided printing with a known sender. Completion was also lower when response came after later mailouts (chi2(2) = 10.13; P = 0.006).


CONCLUSIONS
Print format and sender recognition both yielded 6%-7% (nonsignificant) response rate differences. Survey completion rate varied even when overall item completion was high. Completion rate was useful for identifying subgroups likely to provide incomplete data (i.e., late responders), and may provide important information for subsequent surveys. Combining factors that on their own improve survey response may have unexpected consequences.
Brehaut
Jamie C
JC
Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus, ASB-2-004, Box 693, 1053 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 4E9, Canada. jbrehaut@ohri.ca
Graham
Ian D
ID
Visentin
Laura
L
Stiell
Ian G
IG
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015982:Bias; D002170:Canada; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D012106:Research; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors