Getting a Valid Survey Response From 662 Plastic Surgeons in the 21st Century

Area of Science:

• Medical research methodology
• Survey design and response rates
• Plastic surgery professional studies

Background:

• Web-based surveys are increasingly popular due to cost and time savings.
• Achieving a response rate of 75% or higher is crucial for survey validity.
• This study aimed to identify the optimal survey method for academic plastic surgeons.

Observation:

• Four survey methods were tested: online, regular mail, mail with $1, and mail with $5.
• Response rates were compared after initial mailing and reminders.
• Survey costs were calculated, including incentives and reminder efforts.

Findings:

• Web-based surveys resulted in the lowest response rate.
• Mailed surveys with monetary incentives significantly increased response rates (79% and 84%).
• The $1 bill incentive offered the best value and cost-effectiveness per response.

Implications:

• Monetary incentives and postal mail are effective for maximizing survey participation in this demographic.
• Web-based surveys may not be optimal for reaching academic plastic surgeons.
• Future research should consider cost-benefit analyses of different survey modalities.