Improving general practice survey response rates: Bells (primers), whistles (reminders) and carrots (incentives).

Abstract

Poor response rates of general practitioners (GPs) to surveys are common and result in incomplete data with limited validity. This study of a GP integration index survey implemented via the Divisions of General Practice examines the effects of various strategies on GP response rates. Several strategies were adopted to engage Divisions and subsequently support them in the implementation of the survey to their members. A detailed "Implementation Kit", including protocols for questionnaire dissemination, reminder schedules and sample materials was provided. Factors that appeared to improve response rates were smaller size of Division, addressing questionnaires to practice managers rather than sending directly to GPs, personal contact with GP or practice manager, increasing the number of reminders, and payment or gift for completing the survey. Surveying a large number of GPs is both costly in terms of money and time and strategies that improve response rates are more difficult to implement with very large numbers. Larger Divisions or others surveying large numbers of GPs should consider the option of using a sampling strategy, and direct resources into following up non-responders more intensively.