title: A small unconditional non-financial incentive suggests an increase in survey response rates amongst older general practitioners (GPs): a randomised controlled trial study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few studies have investigated the effect of small unconditional non-monetary incentives on survey response rates amongst GPs or medical practitioners. This study assessed the effectiveness of offering a small unconditional non-financial incentive to increase survey response rates amongst general practitioners within a randomised controlled trial (RCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  An RCT was conducted within a general practice survey that investigated how to prolong working lives amongst ageing GPs in Australia. GPs (n = 125) were randomised to receive an attractive pen or no pen during their first invitation for participation in a survey. GPs could elect to complete the survey online or via mail. Two follow up reminders were sent without a pen to both groups. The main outcome measure was response rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate for GPs who received a pen was higher in the intervention group (61.9%) compared to the control group (46.8%). This study did not find a statistically significant effect of a small unconditional non-financial incentive (in the form of a pen) on survey response rates amongst GPs (Odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 1.85 (0.91 to 3.77). No GPs completed the online version.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A small unconditional non-financial incentives, in the form of a pen, may improve response rates for GPs.
authors.affiliation: University Centre for Rural Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, 61 Uralba Street, PO Box 3074, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia. sabrina.pit@sydney.edu.au
authors.forename: Sabrina Winona
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Pit
authors.forename: Vibeke
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ewald
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009862:Online Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017010:Reminder Systems; D012201:Reward; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
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