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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2020 May 19;20(1):123.
doi: 10.1186/s12874-020-01014-x.

A randomized trial of mail and email recruitment strategies for a physician survey on clinical trial accrual

Caitlin C Murphy  1   2   3 , Simon J Craddock Lee  4   5 , Ann M Geiger  6 , John V Cox  7   5 , Chul Ahn  4   5 , Rasmi Nair  4 , David E Gerber  4   7   5 , Ethan A Halm  4   7   5 , Katharine McCallister  4 , Celette Sugg Skinner  4   5
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A randomized trial of mail and email recruitment strategies for a physician survey on clinical trial accrual

Caitlin C Murphy et al. BMC Med Res Methodol. .

Abstract

Background: Patient participation in cancer clinical trials is suboptimal. A challenge to capturing physicians' insights about trials has been low response to surveys. We conducted a study using varying combinations of mail and email to recruit a nationally representative sample of medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists to complete a survey on trial accrual.

Methods: We randomly assigned eligible physicians identified from the American Medical Association MasterFile (n = 13,251) to mail- or email-based recruitment strategies. Mail-based recruitment included a survey packet with: (1) cover letter describing the survey and inviting participation; (2) paper copy of the survey and postage-paid return envelope; and (3) a web link for completing the survey online. Email-based recruitment included an e-mail describing the survey and inviting participation, along with the web link to the survey, and a reminder postcard 2 weeks later.

Results: Response was higher for mail-based (11.8, 95% CI 11.0-12.6%) vs. email-based (4.5, 95% CI 4.0-5.0%) recruitment. In email-based recruitment, only one-quarter of recipients opened the email, and even fewer clicked on the link to complete the survey. Most physicians in mail-based recruitment responded after the first invitation (362 of 770 responders, 47.0%). A higher proportion of responders vs. non-responders were young (ages 25-44 years), men, and radiation or surgical (vs. medical) oncologists.

Conclusions: Most physicians assigned to mail-based recruitment actually completed the survey online via the link provided in the cover letter, and those in email-based recruitment did not respond until they received a reminder postcard by mail. Providing the option to return a paper survey or complete it online may have further increased participation in the mail-based group, and future studies should examine how combinations of delivery mode and return options affect physicians' response to surveys.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests. This article was produced by employees of the U.S. government as part of their official duties and, as such, is in the public domain. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute or the National Institutes of Health.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Response to the survey by recruitment strategy
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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