The effectiveness of recruitment strategies on general practitioner’s survey response rates – a systematic review

Abstract

BackgroundLow survey response rates in general practice are common and lead to loss of power, selection bias, unexpected budgetary constraints and time delays in research projects.MethodsObjective: To assess the effectiveness of recruitment strategies aimed at increasing survey response rates among GPs.Design: Systematic review.Search methods: MEDLINE (OVIDSP, 1948-2012), EMBASE (OVIDSP, 1980-2012), Evidence Based Medicine Reviews (OVIDSP, 2012) and references of included papers were searched. Major search terms included GPs, recruitment strategies, response rates, and randomised controlled trials (RCT).Selection criteria: Cluster RCTs, RCTs and factorial trial designs that evaluate recruitment strategies aimed at increasing GP survey response rates.Data collection and analysis: Abstracts identified by the search strategy were reviewed and relevant articles were retrieved. Each full-text publication was examined to determine whether it met the predetermined inclusion criteria. Data extraction and study quality was assessed by using predetermined checklists.ResultsMonetary and nonmonetary incentives were more effective than no incentive with monetary incentives having a slightly bigger effect than nonmonetary incentives. Large incentives were more effective than small incentives, as were upfront monetary incentives compared to promised monetary incentives. Postal surveys were more effective than telephone or email surveys. One study demonstrated that sequentially mixed mode (online survey followed by a paper survey with a reminder) was more effective than an online survey or the combination of an online and paper survey sent similtaneously in the first mail out. Pre-contact with a phonecall from a peer, personalised packages, sending mail on Friday, and using registered mail also increased response rates in single studies. Pre-contact by letter or postcard almost reached statistical signficance.ConclusionsGP survey response rates may improve by using the following strategies: monetary and nonmonetary incentives, larger incentives, upfront monetary incentives, postal surveys, pre-contact with a phonecall from a peer, personalised packages, sending mail on Friday, and using registered mail. Mail pre-contact may also improve response rates and have low costs. Improved reporting and further trials, including sequential mixed mode trials and social media, are required to determine the effectiveness of recruitment strategies on GPs' response rates to surveys.

Unconditional and conditional incentives differentially improved general practitioners' participation in an online survey: randomized controlled trial

“…It is possible that if the relative difference in response rates was replicated in other surveys with higher response rates overall, the differential improvement of the unconditional approach may be of practical importance. That the unconditional incentive achieved the highest response rate is consistent with postal surveys of health professionals and other population groups [5,14,15]. However, no previous studies, to our knowledge, have compared the two approaches for recruitment of health professionals for online surveys.…”

Statistical Application and Cost Saving in a Dental Survey

“…Similarly, Thorpe et al 15 reported response rates of approximately 74% in three consecutive years among physicians applying a modified Dillman approach, compared to 48% achieved in a fourth survey that did not implement gift certificate distribution and use of recorded/registered mail delivery, the latter being a component of the Dillman approach. 15 A 2014 systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cluster RCTs, and factorial trials by Pit SW et al 16 reported that optimization of survey response rates among physicians was most strongly influenced by provision of incentives, pre contact, use of registered mail and personalization of the survey packet, mailed or multi-modal survey. 16 The 2007 Cochrane Systematic Review by Edwards et al 17 reported the odds ratios of improving the likelihood of return of a completed survey through application of components of the Dillman approach based on analyses of 372 randomized controlled trials.…”

“…15 A 2014 systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cluster RCTs, and factorial trials by Pit SW et al 16 reported that optimization of survey response rates among physicians was most strongly influenced by provision of incentives, pre contact, use of registered mail and personalization of the survey packet, mailed or multi-modal survey. 16 The 2007 Cochrane Systematic Review by Edwards et al 17 reported the odds ratios of improving the likelihood of return of a completed survey through application of components of the Dillman approach based on analyses of 372 randomized controlled trials.…”

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“…In order to increase response rate nurses were allotted additional time by hospital management to complete the questionnaire. (Pit, Vo, & Pyakurel, 2014). Questionnaires were returned in a large envelope and placed in a box located on each patient care unit.…”