Getting physicians to respond: the impact of incentive type and timing on physician survey response rates.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of payment timing, form of payment, and requiring a social security number (SSN) on survey response rates.


METHODS
Third-wave mailing of a U.S. physician survey.


METHODS
Nonrespondents were randomized to receive immediate U.S.$25 cash, immediate U.S.$25 check, promised U.S.$25 check, or promised U.S.$25 check requiring an SSN.


METHODS
Paper survey responses were double entered into statistical software.


RESULTS
Response rates differed significantly between remuneration groups (χ(3) (2) = 80.1, p<.0001), with the highest rate in the immediate cash group (34 percent), then immediate check (20 percent), promised check (10 percent), and promised check with SSN (8 percent).


CONCLUSIONS
Immediate monetary incentives yield higher response rates than promised in this population of nonresponding physicians. Promised incentives yield similarly low response rates regardless of whether an SSN is requested.
James
Katherine M
KM
Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. james.katherine@mayo.edu
Ziegenfuss
Jeanette Y
JY
Tilburt
Jon C
JC
Harris
Ann M
AM
Beebe
Timothy J
TJ
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States