Barriers to questionnaire completion: understanding the AIDS/HIV patient's perspective.
OBJECTIVE
To determine what encourages or discourages AIDS/HIV patients from completing questionnaires.


BACKGROUND
Data from surveys can provide important information but response rates can be poor. Factors that affect this in an HIV clinic population have not been assessed previously.


METHODS
The researchers used a qualitative approach and a structured interview schedule. Ten patients were recruited and participated in one-to-one interviews.


CONCLUSIONS
Most patients saw the potential value of completing a questionnaire in the clinic. Lack of privacy during completion was raised as a concern, particularly if there were sensitive questions to respond to. Lack of technical competence was identified by some as a barrier to participation in electronic surveys. Tickboxes were preferred over rating scales or open answers. Participants did not expect a cash incentive or entry in a prize draw when asked to complete a questionnaire in-clinic.


CONCLUSIONS
Generally, AIDS/HIV patients were willing to participate in surveys. Availability of a private area to complete the questionnaire, avoiding complex electronic systems, completion in the clinic, tickbox answers and a length of under two sides of A4 were the most important features that improved acceptability of the questionnaire to patients. Implications for research Surveys that evaluate care need to be short, easy to complete and have clear relevance to the patients' experience.
Birmingham City University, UK.
Lucy
L
Land
Jonathan Dc
JD
Ross
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000592:standards; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000592:standards; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology*; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*