title: Response rates in GP surveys - trialling two recruitment strategies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to examine the efficacy of two strategies for improving general practitioner response to a survey. A secondary aim was to assess GPs' self reported preferred mode of survey administration.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study aimed to examine the efficacy of two strategies for improving general practitioner response to a survey. A secondary aim was to assess GPs' self reported preferred mode of survey administration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 1666 GPs sampled, 52 were ineligible and 500 completed the survey. The response rates obtained in the trial of standard research group letterhead invitations alone (25.8%) versus division of general practice cover letter (32.5%) were not statistically significantly different; nor were the response rates obtained in the trial of a telephone reminder call. When asked about preferred mode of survey administration, 81.1% of respondents nominated mailed survey.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study failed to identify strategies to improve GP participation in the survey. This survey found no basis for supporting electronic GPs surveys.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Research and Psycho-oncology, Cancer Council NSW, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. billie.bonevski@newcastle.edu.au
authors.forename: Billie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bonevski
authors.forename: Parker
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Magin
authors.forename: Graeme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Horton
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: Afaf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Girgis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D045808:Refusal to Participate / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires