The effect of advance telephone prompting in a survey of general dental practitioners in scotland: a randomised controlled trial
- PMID: 18246841
The effect of advance telephone prompting in a survey of general dental practitioners in scotland: a randomised controlled trial
Abstract
Objectives: Evaluation of advance telephone prompting on the response rate to a postal, self-completed questionnaire. To provide an estimate of the cost of such a strategy.
Method: A sample of 315 GDPs was randomly selected from a randomised database of GDPs practicing in Scotland. 157 GDPs were randomly allocated to receive an advance telephone prompt, via the practice receptionist; 158 were allocated to a control group. Four days after prompting all trial participants were mailed identical questionnaires, cover letter and postage paid return envelope.
Results: Response rates: 53%--advance telephone prompt group and 40%--control group. The effect size, 13%, was found to be statistically significant, p = 0.026. Total estimated strategy costs: 74.00 pounds sterling. The incremental cost was estimated to be 4.93 pounds sterling for each additional response.
Conclusions: Advance telephone prompting of GDP's, via the practice receptionist, statistically significantly improves the response rate to a postal self-completed questionnaire. This is estimated to be a cost effective strategy for improving response rates to postal questionnaires.