title: Response rates for mailout survey-driven studies in patients waiting for thyroid surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the surgical literature, mailout survey studies are becoming more prevalent. The objective of this article is to summarize response rates in patients waiting for thyroid surgery and to document the methodology of mailout survey questionnaires.
  
  
  METHODS
  The results reported here are from a study assessing clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with high levels of anxiety while patients are waiting for thyroid surgery. The surveys used in this study include a sociodemographic patient opinion questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), the Illness Intrusiveness Ratings Scale (IIRS), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R). A modified Dillman tailored design approach was used. Assessment of nonresponders was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The methods used yielded a response rate of 54% with this patient population. Some differences were noted among responders and nonresponders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This response rate is comparable to but in the lower spectrum of that stated in the oncology literature likely owing to the increase in the length of the survey, number of sensitive questions, limitations in the number of mailouts, and limited familiarity with the surgeon requesting participation in research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Health Network, Princess Margaret Hospital, University of Toronto.
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eskander
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: Lorne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rotstein
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.forename: Danny
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Enepekides
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: Dale
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gullane
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Irish
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sawka
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Goldstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009864:Ontario; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012803:Sick Role; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D014850:Waiting Lists