Increasing response rates of gynaecologists to a survey: a randomised trial of telephone prompts

Abstract

This study used a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of telephone prompts to increase the response rate of gynaecologists to a survey. A nine-page questionnaire about management of women with abnormal Pap smears was mailed to Fellows of the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. A random sample was contacted in advance by telephone, and nonrespondents received a telephone reminder 14 days after the initial mail-out. The control group was mailed questionnaires and a reminder letter conventionally. On Day 25, nonresponders in both groups were mailed a second questionnaire. Of the intervention group, 84 per cent responded to the survey compared to 69 per cent of the control group (P = 0.005). A telephone call in anticipation of a mailed questionnaire is highly recommended.