Abstract
Background Postal questionnaires remain an important method of collecting data in trials. However, a high non-response rate can lead to biases, which may undermine the validity of the study.
Aim We describe a simple method of improving response rates in an occupational health trial evaluating an intervention to prevent hand dermatitis in nurses.
Methods The trial employed questionnaires at t=0, t=1 month and t=12 months. The t=1 month questionnaire was posted to study participants (student and intensive care nurses) together with a free postage reply envelope. After two weeks an email was sent to non-responders reinforcing the need for completed questionnaires to be returned. Two weeks later non-responders were sent another hard copy of the questionnaire, along with an accompanying letter. Six weeks after posting the initial questionnaires non-responders were sent a short message service (SMS) text message or were telephoned to remind them to return the questionnaire.
Results The response rates for the 744 student nurses were 8% (no reminder), 27% (after first reminder), 22% (after second reminder) and 27% (after the third reminder) resulting in a response rate of 63%. The response rates for the 959 intensive care nurses were 9% (no reminder), 24% (after first reminder), 24% (after second reminder) and 31% (after third reminder) resulting in a final response rate of 63%.
Conclusion We found that a series of regular reminders including a third, personalised reminder by SMS text or telephone had a positive impact on non-responders.
Aim We describe a simple method of improving response rates in an occupational health trial evaluating an intervention to prevent hand dermatitis in nurses.
Methods The trial employed questionnaires at t=0, t=1 month and t=12 months. The t=1 month questionnaire was posted to study participants (student and intensive care nurses) together with a free postage reply envelope. After two weeks an email was sent to non-responders reinforcing the need for completed questionnaires to be returned. Two weeks later non-responders were sent another hard copy of the questionnaire, along with an accompanying letter. Six weeks after posting the initial questionnaires non-responders were sent a short message service (SMS) text message or were telephoned to remind them to return the questionnaire.
Results The response rates for the 744 student nurses were 8% (no reminder), 27% (after first reminder), 22% (after second reminder) and 27% (after the third reminder) resulting in a response rate of 63%. The response rates for the 959 intensive care nurses were 9% (no reminder), 24% (after first reminder), 24% (after second reminder) and 31% (after third reminder) resulting in a final response rate of 63%.
Conclusion We found that a series of regular reminders including a third, personalised reminder by SMS text or telephone had a positive impact on non-responders.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 305-307 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Occupational Medicine |
| Volume | 67 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 24 Mar 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 24 Mar 2017 |
Keywords
- Nurses
- occupational health
- responses rates
- students
- trials