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Related Experiment Videos

Does questionnaire structure influence response in postal surveys?

Kate M Dunn1, Kelvin Jordan, Peter R Croft

  • 1Keele University, Primary Care Sciences Research Centre, Hornbeam Building, Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK. k.m.dunn@cphc.keele.ac.uk

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
|February 19, 2003
PubMed
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A chronological questionnaire structure improved postal survey response rates and return speed for back pain patients. This structure did not impact answer content or reliability, making surveys more user-friendly.

Area of Science:

  • Health Services Research
  • Patient Survey Methodology
  • Clinical Practice

Background:

  • Postal surveys are crucial for collecting patient data.
  • Questionnaire design can influence survey outcomes.
  • Optimizing survey structure is key for efficient data collection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of questionnaire structure on postal survey response rates, return speed, and answer content.
  • To compare traditional versus chronological questionnaire formats.

Main Methods:

  • 259 patients (aged 30-59) with back pain were randomly assigned to receive either a traditional or chronological questionnaire.
  • Data collected from four UK general practices.
  • Response rates, return times, and scores on validated scales (SF-36, HADS, RMDQ) were analyzed.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Chronological questionnaires yielded higher response rates and quicker returns (P=.05).
  • No significant differences were found in completion rates or scores across validated health scales.
  • Test-retest reliability was high for all measured scales.

Conclusions:

  • Reordering survey questions chronologically enhances patient engagement and speeds up data return.
  • Questionnaire structure modifications can improve survey acceptability and efficiency without compromising data validity.
  • This approach is beneficial for postal surveys in clinical settings.