Combining web-based and mail surveys improves response rates: a PBRN study from PRIME Net

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Survey Methodology
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Web-based survey tools present a potentially less expensive alternative to traditional paper-based methods.
• Maintaining adequate response rates remains a critical challenge regardless of survey technology.
• Practice-based research networks (PBRNs) rely on effective survey methods to gather clinician data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of combined electronic and paper survey methods in improving response rates within PBRNs.
• To assess the continued relevance of paper-based survey methods in the digital age for clinical research.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered across three PBRNs, initially using electronic solicitation with five rounds.
• Non-responders to the electronic survey received two rounds of a mailed paper-based version.
• Response rate data from both electronic and paper modes were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Despite significant electronic promotion, 24% of all survey responses were received via the paper format.
• The paper-based component successfully captured a substantial portion of the total responses.
• This indicates a significant number of clinicians preferred or required the paper option.

Conclusions:

• Paper-based survey methods retain an important role in PBRN research, complementing electronic approaches.
• A mixed-methods approach, utilizing both electronic and hard copy collection, is likely required to maximize clinician response rates in PBRNs.
• Future PBRN survey strategies should consider integrating both digital and traditional survey modalities.