The effectiveness of recruitment strategies on general practitioner’s survey response rates – a systematic review

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Low survey response rates in general practice are common and lead to loss of power, selection bias, unexpected budgetary constraints and time delays in research projects. Methods Objective: To assess the effectiveness of recruitment strategies aimed at increasing survey response rates among GPs. Design: Systematic review. Search methods: MEDLINE (OVIDSP, 1948-2012), EMBASE (OVIDSP, 1980-2012), Evidence Based Medicine Reviews (OVIDSP, 2012) and references of included papers were searched. Major search terms included GPs, recruitment strategies, response rates, and randomised controlled trials (RCT). Selection criteria: Cluster RCTs, RCTs and factorial trial designs that evaluate recruitment strategies aimed at increasing GP survey response rates. Data collection and analysis: Abstracts identified by the search strategy were reviewed and relevant articles were retrieved. Each full-text publication was examined to determine whether it met the predetermined inclusion criteria. Data extraction and study quality was assessed by using predetermined checklists. Results Monetary and nonmonetary incentives were more effective than no incentive with monetary incentives having a slightly bigger effect than nonmonetary incentives. Large incentives were more effective than small incentives, as were upfront monetary incentives compared to promised monetary incentives. Postal surveys were more effective than telephone or email surveys. One study demonstrated that sequentially mixed mode (online survey followed by a paper survey with a reminder) was more effective than an online survey or the combination of an online and paper survey sent similtaneously in the first mail out. Pre-contact with a phonecall from a peer, personalised packages, sending mail on Friday, and using registered mail also increased response rates in single studies. Pre-contact by letter or postcard almost reached statistical signficance. Conclusions GP survey response rates may improve by using the following strategies: monetary and nonmonetary incentives, larger incentives, upfront monetary incentives, postal surveys, pre-contact with a phonecall from a peer, personalised packages, sending mail on Friday, and using registered mail. Mail pre-contact may also improve response rates and have low costs. Improved reporting and further trials, including sequential mixed mode trials and social media, are required to determine the effectiveness of recruitment strategies on GPs' response rates to surveys. PMID:24906492

Reviewing the Research on Mail Survey Response Rates: Meta-Analysis.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Green, Kathy E.; Hutchinson, Susan R.

Meta-analysis, a way of cumulating the results of research studies, focuses on the magnitudes of effect sizes and seeks to explain effects through study characteristics. This meta-analysis used the methods developed by G. V. Glass to summarize the research on mail survey response rate manipulations. A narrative review using the same studies set…

Comparison of Three Tobacco Survey Methods with College Students: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

James, Delores C. S.; Chen, W. William; Sheu, Jiunn-Jye

2005-01-01

The goals of this case study were to: (1) determine the efficiency and effectiveness of three survey methods--postal mail survey, web-based survey, and random in-class administration survey--in assessing tobacco-related attitudes and behaviors among college students and (2) compare the response rate and procedures of these three methods. There was…

Research on Mail Surveys: Response Rates and Methods in Relation to Population Group and Time.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boser, Judith A.; Green, Kathy

The purpose of this review was to look for trends across time in response rates and variables studied for published mail surveys and to compare response rates and variables studied for different target populations. Studies were identified in databases in four fields: education, psychology, business and marketing, and sociology. A total of 225…

A Randomized Trial Comparing Mail versus In-Office Distribution of the CAHPS Clinician and Group Survey

PubMed Central

Anastario, Michael P; Rodriguez, Hector P; Gallagher, Patricia M; Cleary, Paul D; Shaller, Dale; Rogers, William H; Bogen, Karen; Safran, Dana Gelb

2010-01-01

Objective To assess the effect of survey distribution protocol (mail versus handout) on data quality and measurement of patient care experiences. Data Sources/Study Setting Multisite randomized trial of survey distribution protocols. Analytic sample included 2,477 patients of 15 clinicians at three practice sites in New York State. Data Collection/Extraction Methods Mail and handout distribution modes were alternated weekly at each site for 6 weeks. Principal Findings Handout protocols yielded an incomplete distribution rate (74 percent) and lower overall response rates (40 percent versus 58 percent) compared with mail. Handout distribution rates decreased over time and resulted in more favorable survey scores compared with mailed surveys. There were significant mode–physician interaction effects, indicating that data cannot simply be pooled and adjusted for mode. Conclusions In-office survey distribution has the potential to bias measurement and comparison of physicians and sites on patient care experiences. Incomplete distribution rates observed in-office, together with between-office differences in distribution rates and declining rates over time suggest staff may be burdened by the process and selective in their choice of patients. Further testing with a larger physician and site sample is important to definitively establish the potential role for in-office distribution in obtaining reliable, valid assessment of patient care experiences. PMID:20579126

Comparing Response Rates in E-Mail and Paper Surveys: A Meta-Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shih, Tse-Hua; Fan, Xitao

2009-01-01

This meta-analysis examined 35 study results within last 10 years that directly compared the response rates of e-mail versus mail surveys. Individual studies reported inconsistent findings concerning the response rate difference between e-mail and mail surveys, but e-mail surveys generally have lower response rate (about 20% lower on the average)…

Assessing the Effects of Participant Preference and Demographics in the Usage of Web-based Survey Questionnaires by Women Attending Screening Mammography in British Columbia

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Background Increased usage of Internet applications has allowed for the collection of patient reported outcomes (PROs) and other health data through Web-based communication and questionnaires. While these Web platforms allow for increased speed and scope of communication delivery, there are certain limitations associated with this technology, as survey mode preferences vary across demographic groups. Objective To investigate the impact of demographic factors and participant preferences on the use of a Web-based questionnaire in comparison with more traditional methods (mail and phone) for women participating in screening mammography in British Columbia, Canada. Methods A sample of women attending the Screening Mammography Program of British Columbia (SMPBC) participated in a breast cancer risk assessment project. The study questionnaire was administered through one of three modes (ie, telephone, mail, or website platform). Survey mode preferences and actual methods of response were analyzed for participants recruited from Victoria General Hospital. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate the association of demographic factors (ie, age, education level, and ethnicity) with certain survey response types. Results A total of 1192 women successfully completed the study questionnaire at Victoria General Hospital. Mail was stated as the most preferred survey mode (509/1192, 42.70%), followed by website platform (422/1192, 35.40%), and telephone (147/1192, 12.33%). Over 80% (955/1192) of participants completed the questionnaire in the mode previously specified as their most preferred; mail was the most common method of response (688/1192, 57.72%). Mail was also the most preferred type of questionnaire response method when participants responded in a mode other than their original preference. The average age of participants who responded via the Web-based platform (age 52.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 52.1-53.7) was significantly lower than those who used mail and telephone methods (age 55.9, 95% CI 55.2-56.5; P<.001); each decade of increased age was associated with a 0.97-fold decrease in the odds of using the website platform (P<.001). Web-based participation was more likely for those who completed higher levels of education; each interval increase leading to a 1.83 increase in the odds of website platform usage (P<.001). Ethnicity was not shown to play a role in participant preference for the website platform (P=.96). Conclusions It is beneficial to consider participant survey mode preference when planning to collect PROs and other patient health data. Younger participants and those of higher education level were more likely to use the website platform questionnaire; Web-based participation failed to vary across ethnic group. Because mail questionnaires were still the most preferred survey mode, it will be important to employ strategies, such as user-friendly design and Web-based support, to ensure that the patient feedback being collected is representative of the population being served. PMID:27005707

Assessing the Effects of Participant Preference and Demographics in the Usage of Web-based Survey Questionnaires by Women Attending Screening Mammography in British Columbia.

PubMed

Mlikotic, Rebecca; Parker, Brent; Rajapakshe, Rasika

2016-03-22

Increased usage of Internet applications has allowed for the collection of patient reported outcomes (PROs) and other health data through Web-based communication and questionnaires. While these Web platforms allow for increased speed and scope of communication delivery, there are certain limitations associated with this technology, as survey mode preferences vary across demographic groups. To investigate the impact of demographic factors and participant preferences on the use of a Web-based questionnaire in comparison with more traditional methods (mail and phone) for women participating in screening mammography in British Columbia, Canada. A sample of women attending the Screening Mammography Program of British Columbia (SMPBC) participated in a breast cancer risk assessment project. The study questionnaire was administered through one of three modes (ie, telephone, mail, or website platform). Survey mode preferences and actual methods of response were analyzed for participants recruited from Victoria General Hospital. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate the association of demographic factors (ie, age, education level, and ethnicity) with certain survey response types. A total of 1192 women successfully completed the study questionnaire at Victoria General Hospital. Mail was stated as the most preferred survey mode (509/1192, 42.70%), followed by website platform (422/1192, 35.40%), and telephone (147/1192, 12.33%). Over 80% (955/1192) of participants completed the questionnaire in the mode previously specified as their most preferred; mail was the most common method of response (688/1192, 57.72%). Mail was also the most preferred type of questionnaire response method when participants responded in a mode other than their original preference. The average age of participants who responded via the Web-based platform (age 52.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 52.1-53.7) was significantly lower than those who used mail and telephone methods (age 55.9, 95% CI 55.2-56.5; P<.001); each decade of increased age was associated with a 0.97-fold decrease in the odds of using the website platform (P<.001). Web-based participation was more likely for those who completed higher levels of education; each interval increase leading to a 1.83 increase in the odds of website platform usage (P<.001). Ethnicity was not shown to play a role in participant preference for the website platform (P=.96). It is beneficial to consider participant survey mode preference when planning to collect PROs and other patient health data. Younger participants and those of higher education level were more likely to use the website platform questionnaire; Web-based participation failed to vary across ethnic group. Because mail questionnaires were still the most preferred survey mode, it will be important to employ strategies, such as user-friendly design and Web-based support, to ensure that the patient feedback being collected is representative of the population being served.

Web-based surveys as an alternative to traditional mail methods.

PubMed

Fleming, Christopher M; Bowden, Mark

2009-01-01

Environmental economists have long used surveys to gather information about people's preferences. A recent innovation in survey methodology has been the advent of web-based surveys. While the Internet appears to offer a promising alternative to conventional survey administration modes, concerns exist over potential sampling biases associated with web-based surveys and the effect these may have on valuation estimates. This paper compares results obtained from a travel cost questionnaire of visitors to Fraser Island, Australia, that was conducted using two alternate survey administration modes; conventional mail and web-based. It is found that response rates and the socio-demographic make-up of respondents to the two survey modes are not statistically different. Moreover, both modes yield similar consumer surplus estimates.

Evaluating telephone follow-up of a mail survey of community pharmacies.

PubMed

Westrick, Salisa C; Mount, Jeanine K

2007-06-01

Mail and telephone are commonly used modes of survey with pharmacists. Research conducted using general population surveys consistently describes mail surveys as being less expensive but yielding lower response rates than telephone surveys. However, findings obtained from the general population may not be generalizable to pharmacist surveys. This study evaluates the effectiveness of telephone follow-up of mail survey nonrespondents by comparing the 2 survey modes on response rates, cooperation rates, cost per sample unit, and cost per usable response and evaluating potential nonresponse bias in the context of immunization activities. A census mail survey of 1,143 Washington State community pharmacies and a follow-up telephone survey of 262 randomly selected mail survey nonrespondents were compared. Both surveys included the same 15 yes/no-type questions to ask respondents about their pharmacy's involvement in immunization activities. The mail survey yielded a response rate 1 of 26.7% and a cooperation rate 1 of 26.7%, compared with 83.6% and 87.8%, respectively, for the follow-up telephone survey. With respect to cost per sample unit, the mail survey was the least expensive option ($1.20). However, when comparing cost per usable response, the mail survey was the most expensive ($4.37), and the follow-up telephone survey without an advance notification was the least expensive ($1.99). Furthermore, results suggest the presence of nonresponse bias: compared with pharmacies participating in the follow-up telephone survey, pharmacies participating in the mail survey were more likely to be involved in in-house immunization services but less likely to be involved in outsourced services. The telephone survey achieved higher outcome rates with reduced cost per usable response. A telephone survey is a viable mode that holds promise in pharmacy practice research. Maximizing response rates and assessing potential nonresponse bias should be a standard practice among pharmacy practice researchers. More methodology research specific to pharmacist surveys is needed.

Optimum survey methods when interviewing employed women.

PubMed

Dunning, Kari; LeMasters, Grace K

2009-02-01

While survey studies have examined bias much is unknown regarding specific subpopulations, especially women workers. A population based phone, Internet, and mail survey of workplace falls during pregnancy was undertaken. Participation by industry and occupation and survey approach and bias, reliability, and incomplete data were examined. Of the 3,997 women surveyed, 71% were employed during their pregnancy. Internet responders were most likely to be employed while pregnant and to report a workplace fall at 8.8% compared to 5.8% and 6.1% for mail and phone respondents. Internet responders had the most missing employment data with company name missing for 17.9% compared to 1.3% for phone responders. Mail surveys were best for recruiting those employed in eight of nine industries, and this was especially true for service occupations. To decrease bias and increase participation, mixed approaches may be useful with particular attention for collecting occupational data. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:105-112, 2009. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Computer Availability and Principals' Perceptions of Online Surveys

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eaton, Danice K.; Brener, Nancy D.; Kann, Laura; Roberts, Alice M.; Kyle, Tonja M.; Flint, Katherine H.; Ross, Alexander L. R.

2011-01-01

Background: School-based risk behavior surveys traditionally have been administered via paper-and-pencil. This study assessed the feasibility of conducting in-class online surveys in US high schools. Methods: A paper-and-pencil questionnaire assessing computer availability and perceptions of online surveys was mailed to a nationally representative…

Initial nonresponse and survey response mode biases in survey research.

PubMed

Chi, Donald L; Chen, Chao Ying

2015-01-01

We evaluated survey response factors (particularly initial nonresponse and survey mode) that may be associated with bias in survey research. We examined prevention-related beliefs and outcomes for initial mail survey responders (n=209), follow-up mail survey responders (n=78), and follow-up telephone survey responders (n=74). The Pearson chi-square test and analysis of variance identified beliefs and behavioral outcomes associated with survey response mode. Follow-up options to the initial mail survey improved response rates (22.0-38.0 percent). Initial mail survey responders more strongly believed topical fluoride protects teeth from cavities than others (P=0.04). A significantly larger proportion of parents completing a follow-up telephone survey (30.8 percent) refused topical fluoride for their child than those completing mail surveys (10.3-10.4 percent) (P<0.0001). Multiple mode surveys with follow-up improve response rates. Initial nonresponse and survey response mode may be associated with biases in survey research. © 2015 American Association of Public Health Dentistry.

Comparing Two Survey Research Approaches: E-Mail and Web-Based Technology versus Traditional Mail.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Howes, Colleen M.; Mailloux, Mark R.

2001-01-01

Contrasted two survey methodologies: e-mail-Web and traditional mail. Found that: (1) e-mail-Web respondents were proportionately more likely to be male and enrolled in school full-time; (2) more individual question non-response was present for the e-mail-Web sample; and (3) e-mail-Web respondents value different aspects of graduate school. (EV)

A Comparison between Mandatory and Voluntary Continuing Education on Professional Performance.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dowling, Carole

The mail survey research method was used to determine the comparative impact of mandatory and voluntary continuing education systems for relicensure on the performance of health care professionals. Of 1,901 questionnaires mailed to dental hygienists in Wisconsin and Minnesota, 63 percent (1,201) were returned. Supervising dentists and dental…

Comparison of methods used for estimating pharmacist counseling behaviors.

PubMed

Schommer, J C; Sullivan, D L; Wiederholt, J B

1994-01-01

To compare the rates reported for provision of types of information conveyed by pharmacists among studies for which different methods of estimation were used and different dispensing situations were studied. Empiric studies conducted in the US, reported from 1982 through 1992, were selected from International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, MEDLINE, and noncomputerized sources. Empiric studies were selected for review if they reported the provision of at least three types of counseling information. Four components of methods used for estimating pharmacist counseling behaviors were extracted and summarized in a table: (1) sample type and area, (2) sampling unit, (3) sample size, and (4) data collection method. In addition, situations that were investigated in each study were compiled. Twelve studies met our inclusion criteria. Patients were interviewed via telephone in four studies and were surveyed via mail in two studies. Pharmacists were interviewed via telephone in one study and surveyed via mail in two studies. For three studies, researchers visited pharmacy sites for data collection using the shopper method or observation method. Studies with similar methods and situations provided similar results. Data collected by using patient surveys, pharmacist surveys, and observation methods can provide useful estimations of pharmacist counseling behaviors if researchers measure counseling for specific, well-defined dispensing situations.

A Critical Analysis of Interview, Telephone, and Mail Survey Designs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Katz, Elinor

A critical analysis is presented of the literature as it relates to survey research, including personal interviews, telephone interviews, and mail questionnaires. Additional research concerns are explored, and a code of ethics for survey researchers is presented. Focus groups, interviews, long interviews, telephone interviews, and mail surveys are…

Using Technology to Affect Influenza Vaccine Coverage Among Children With Chronic Respiratory Conditions.

PubMed

Bay, Sarah L; Crawford, Daniel J

Influenza presents additional burdens for children with chronic respiratory conditions. Influenza vaccinations may reduce complications, yet approximately half of children remain unprotected. Evidence supports integration of text and e-mail into multicomponent strategies to increase influenza vaccination rates among children with chronic respiratory conditions. A single text and e-mail message was sent to those with enabled preferences in the patient portal. A follow-up survey assessed aspects of message receipt. Surveys were completed without collection of demographics. A total of 3,206 messages were successfully delivered. Surveys were initiated by 107 recipients. Frequency analysis showed that text and e-mail messages were preferred forms of communication. A statistically significant relationship was found between receiving a message and receiving an influenza vaccination (p = .027). Text and e-mail messaging are cost effective and well received, and they can be easily integrated into existing systems. These methods are translatable across populations and can convey various types of messages. Copyright © 2016 National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Internet and e-mail use in ENT: a survey of patient usage and satisfaction.

PubMed

Shaw, B; Farboud, A; Trinidade, A; Kothari, P

2012-03-01

Nowadays, internet and e-mail are important modes of communication and information. This paper seeks to determine internet usage as a source of health information amongst ENT patients and to investigate whether patients prefer to communicate primarily with the hospital via e-mail. The method used is a questionnaire study and 201 patients attending an ENT clinic completed questionnaires over 2 weeks in December 2010. Of those with internet access (85%), 37% had used it for health information prior to their appointment; 90% rated the information between average and excellent; over half stated they would like doctor-recommended websites. Overall, 8% had previously used e-mail to communicate with healthcare professionals, but 50% stated that they wished to use e-mail in the future. ENT patients are becoming increasingly computer-literate. As healthcare professionals, we must do more to incorporate the internet as a source of reliable healthcare information. Properly implemented, e-mail can become an invaluable method of communication with patients.

Address-based versus random-digit-dial surveys: comparison of key health and risk indicators.

PubMed

Link, Michael W; Battaglia, Michael P; Frankel, Martin R; Osborn, Larry; Mokdad, Ali H

2006-11-15

Use of random-digit dialing (RDD) for conducting health surveys is increasingly problematic because of declining participation rates and eroding frame coverage. Alternative survey modes and sampling frames may improve response rates and increase the validity of survey estimates. In a 2005 pilot study conducted in six states as part of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the authors administered a mail survey to selected household members sampled from addresses in a US Postal Service database. The authors compared estimates based on data from the completed mail surveys (n = 3,010) with those from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System telephone surveys (n = 18,780). The mail survey data appeared reasonably complete, and estimates based on data from the two survey modes were largely equivalent. Differences found, such as differences in the estimated prevalences of binge drinking (mail = 20.3%, telephone = 13.1%) or behaviors linked to human immunodeficiency virus transmission (mail = 7.1%, telephone = 4.2%), were consistent with previous research showing that, for questions about sensitive behaviors, self-administered surveys generally produce higher estimates than interviewer-administered surveys. The mail survey also provided access to cell-phone-only households and households without telephones, which cannot be reached by means of standard RDD surveys.

Attitude Surveys Document Sampler.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walker, Albert, Comp.

This packet presents results of a series of attitude surveys representing a variety of purposes, methods and defined publics. They range from a simple questionnaire prepared and mailed to a small group of key individuals by a public relations staff to scientifically derived surveys purchased from Louis Harris and Associates and other research…

Cost and performance tradeoffs between mail and internet survey modes in a nonmarket valuation study

Treesearch

Robert M. Campbell; Tyron Venn; Nathaniel M. Anderson

2018-01-01

Using the results of a choice modeling survey, internet, mail-only and mixed internet and mail survey modes were examined with regards to their cost-effectiveness, representativeness, and willingness to pay (WTP). The topical focus of the study was biomass energy generation preferences of the residents of Montana, Colorado and Arizona, USA. Compared to the mail and...

77 FR 6168 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: English Language Evaluation Surveys, OMB...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-07

...: Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) Program Survey. OMB Control Number: None. Type of Request... methods: Email: [email protected] . Mail (paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions): ECA/P/V, SA-5, C2 Floor...

Just Blowing Smoke? Social Desirability and Reporting of Intentions to Quit Smoking

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Introduction: Do cigarette smokers really want to quit smoking or do they simply say they do in order to placate others and avoid criticism? In surveys of smokers, stated quit intentions and reports of quit attempts may be biased by social desirability concerns. This makes it difficult to interpret large-scale state and national surveys of smoking behavior that collect data through telephone and face-to-face interviews, methods that tend to evoke high levels of socially desirable responding. Methods: The 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey used a dual-frame design to query smokers’ quit intentions and past quit attempts in 1 of 2 ways: A self-administered mail survey (low pressure for socially desirable responding; n = 563), or an interviewer-administered telephone survey (high pressure for socially desirable responding; n = 499). Estimates derived from the 2 formats were compared to test for social desirability effects. Results: In both survey modes, approximately two thirds of smokers reported seriously considering quitting in the next 6 months (mail: 64.9%; telephone: 68.9%), and approximately half reported making a quit attempt in the past year (mail: 54.9%; telephone: 52.3%). Neither difference approached significance in logistic regressions controlling for demographics (ps > .24). Conclusions: It appears that a large proportion of smokers in the United States aspire to live smoke-free lives and are not simply responding in a socially desirable manner to deflect criticism in an antismoking social climate. Future research should (1) replicate this study with greater statistical power, (2) examine the possible effects of survey context (e.g., health survey vs. smoking pleasure survey), and (3) explore survey mode effects in specific subpopulations. PMID:23884318

The Use of Certified Mail in Mail Surveys. Research Memorandum No. 73-25.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Echternacht, Gary J.; McCaffrey, Patty J.

The cost effectiveness of using certified mail as a device to raise response rates in mail surveys is investigated. Of the three optional services offered by the Post Office when sending certified mail, the base certified rate was recommended, since the Post Office often failed to perform the more expensive services. A sample of 120 students from…

Between Anecdote and Science: Using E-Mail To Learn about Student Experiences. AIR 1997 Annual Forum Paper.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Furlong, Deborah K.

Institutional research has long relied on surveys to learn about student experiences. This study describes and evaluates two methods of using electronic mail to gather information from students about their experiences. Data were based on two case studies conducted during spring 1996 and fall 1997 at a 5,000-student state university. The report…

Using a Calendar and Explanatory Instructions to Aid Within-Household Selection in Mail Surveys

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stange, Mathew; Smyth, Jolene D.; Olson, Kristen

2016-01-01

Although researchers can easily select probability samples of addresses using the U.S. Postal Service's Delivery Sequence File, randomly selecting respondents within households for surveys remains challenging. Researchers often place within-household selection instructions, such as the next or last birthday methods, in survey cover letters to…

Effects on response rates and costs of stamps vs business reply in a mail survey of physicians.

PubMed

Urban, N; Anderson, G L; Tseng, A

1993-05-01

In the general population, the use of stamps rather than business reply postage significantly improves response rates in mail surveys. Among physicians, however, a smaller effect might be anticipated due to their greater sophistication. An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that stamps would improve response rates and lower costs in a physician survey that included intensive follow up. In 1989, 380 physicians who reported providing primary care were surveyed. The protocol included two mailings, a postcard reminder, and two telephone reminders. Physicians were randomly assigned to receive a return envelope with a first-class stamp or an envelope that had been preprinted "business reply mail" in the first and second mailings. Response rates, calculated as completed surveys divided by eligible physicians, were 83.8 and 72.1% for stamps and business reply respectively, a difference of 11.7 percentage points (p < 0.01). Moreover, the total cost per completed survey was $11.18 for the physicians receiving stamps and $14.25 for the physicians receiving business reply. As in mail surveys of the general public, the use of first-class stamps on return envelopes both improves response rates and reduces cost in surveys of physicians.

Using an internet questionnaire to characterize bat survey efforts in the United States and Canada

Treesearch

Theodore J. Weller; William J. Zielinski

2006-01-01

Standardized survey methods are important for obtaining reliable information on wildlife populations. As a precursor to creating a regional bat-survey (Chiroptera) protocol, we distributed a questionnaire via e-mail to biologists responsible for conducting bat surveys in the United States and Canada. We received 415 responses from 45 states and 7 Canadian provinces or...

Effect of Mailing Address Style on Survey Response Rate.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cookingham, Frank G.

This study determined the effect of using mailing labels prepared by a letter-quality computer printer on survey response rate. D. A. Dillman's personalization approach to conducting mail surveys suggests that envelopes with addresses typed directly on them may produce a higher response rate than envelopes with addresses typed on self-adhesive…

Response rate, response time, and economic costs of survey research: A randomized trial of practicing pharmacists.

PubMed

Hardigan, Patrick C; Popovici, Ioana; Carvajal, Manuel J

2016-01-01

There is a gap between increasing demands from pharmacy journals, publishers, and reviewers for high survey response rates and the actual responses often obtained in the field by survey researchers. Presumably demands have been set high because response rates, times, and costs affect the validity and reliability of survey results. Explore the extent to which survey response rates, average response times, and economic costs are affected by conditions under which pharmacist workforce surveys are administered. A random sample of 7200 U.S. practicing pharmacists was selected. The sample was stratified by delivery method, questionnaire length, item placement, and gender of respondent for a total of 300 observations within each subgroup. A job satisfaction survey was administered during March-April 2012. Delivery method was the only classification showing significant differences in response rates and average response times. The postal mail procedure accounted for the highest response rates of completed surveys, but the email method exhibited the quickest turnaround. A hybrid approach, consisting of a combination of postal and electronic means, showed the least favorable results. Postal mail was 2.9 times more cost effective than the email approach and 4.6 times more cost effective than the hybrid approach. Researchers seeking to increase practicing pharmacists' survey participation and reduce response time and related costs can benefit from the analytical procedures tested here. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Magazine Editors and the Writing Process: An Analysis of How Editors Work with Staff and Free-Lance Writers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schierhorn, Ann B.; Endres, Kathleen L.

Editors of business and consumer magazines chosen by a random sample were asked in a mail survey what method they used in working with staff writers and free-lance writers. They were asked how they work with writers in the five stages of the writing process--idea, reporting, organizing, writing and rewriting. The first mailing to consumer…

Faculty and Student Expectations and Perceptions of E-mail Communication in a Campus and Distance Doctor of Pharmacy Program

PubMed Central

Turner, Paul D.; Monaghan, Michael S.; Walters, Ryan W.; Merkel, Jennifer J.; Lipschultz, Jeremy H.; Lenz, Thomas L.

2010-01-01

Objective To examine faculty members' and students' expectations and perceptions of e-mail communication in a dual pathway pharmacy program. Methods Three parallel survey instruments were administered to campus students, distance students, and faculty members, respectively. Focus groups with students and faculty were conducted. Results Faculty members perceived themselves as more accessible and approachable by e-mail than either group of students did. Campus students expected a shorter faculty response time to e-mail and for faculty members to be more available than did distance students. Conclusion E-mail is an effective means of computer-mediated communication between faculty members and students and can be used to promote a sense of community and inclusiveness (ie, immediacy), especially with distant students. PMID:21436932

An Analysis of Methods Used To Reduce Nonresponse Bias in Survey Research.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Victoria A.

The effectiveness of five methods used to estimate the population parameters of a variable of interest from a random sample in the presence of non-response to mail surveys was tested in conditions that vary the return rate and the relationship of the variable of interest to the likelihood of response. Data from 125,092 adult Alabama residents in…

Michigan State University Extension Educators' Perceptions of the Use of Digital Technology in Their Work

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wells, Elizabeth Chase

2009-01-01

This research study examined Michigan State University Extension educators' perceptions of the use of digital technology in their work. It used a mixed method of research which included a mailed survey and interviews of selected respondents. A census survey using Dillman's Total Design method was sent to 290 field staff of Michigan State…

Comparing Two Web/Mail Mixed-Mode Contact Protocols to a Unimode Mail Survey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Newberry, Milton G., III; Israel, Glenn D.

2017-01-01

Recent research has shown mixed-mode surveys are advantageous for organizations to use in collecting data. Previous research explored web/mail mode effects for four-contact waves. This study explores the effect of web/mail mixed-mode systems over a series of contacts on the customer satisfaction data from the Florida Cooperative Extension Service…

Single-Phase Mail Survey Design for Rare Population Subgroups

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brick, J. Michael; Andrews, William R.; Mathiowetz, Nancy A.

2016-01-01

Although using random digit dialing (RDD) telephone samples was the preferred method for conducting surveys of households for many years, declining response and coverage rates have led researchers to explore alternative approaches. The use of address-based sampling (ABS) has been examined for sampling the general population and subgroups, most…

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Americans' Instant Messaging and E-mail Use: A National Survey.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bowe, Frank G.

2002-01-01

A survey of 884 adults with hearing impairments found they were using e-mail and instant messaging (IM) more than TTY and telecommunications relay services. Virtually all participants had e-mail and IM at home. While the vast majority also had and used e-mail at work, just 1 in 3 had IM. (Contains 2 references.) (Author/CR)

Associate Residency Training Directors in Psychiatry: Demographics, Professional Activities, and Job Satisfaction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Arbuckle, Melissa R.; DeGolia, Sallie G.; Esposito, Karin; Miller, Deborah A.; Weinberg, Michael; Brenner, Adam M.

2012-01-01

Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize associate training director (ATD) positions in psychiatry. Method: An on-line survey was e-mailed in 2009 to all ATDs identified through the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training (AADPRT). Survey questions elicited information regarding demographics,…

Development, Evaluation, and Validation of Environmental Assessment Tools to Evaluate the College Nutrition Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Freedman, Marjorie R.

2010-01-01

Objective: To develop, evaluate, and validate 2 nutrition environment assessment tools (surveys), for specific use in combating overweight on college/university campuses. Participants and Methods: Invitations to complete surveys were e-mailed to food service and health center directors at 47 universities, Winter 2008. Overall response rate was…

Methods for increasing cooperation rates for surveys of family forest owners

Treesearch

Brett J. Butler; Jaketon H. Hewes; Mary L. Tyrrell; Sarah M. Butler

2016-01-01

To maximize the representativeness of results from surveys, coverage, sampling, nonresponse, measurement, and analysis errors must be minimized. Although not a cure-all, one approach for mitigating nonresponse errors is to maximize cooperation rates. In this study, personalizing mailings, token financial incentives, and the use of real stamps were tested for their...

Sleep Patterns of College Students at a Public University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Forquer, LeAnne M.; Camden, Adrian E.; Gabriau, Krista M.; Johnson, C. Merle

2008-01-01

Objective: The authors' purpose in this study was to determine the sleep patterns of college students to identify problem areas and potential solutions. Participants: A total of 313 students returned completed surveys. Methods: A sleep survey was e-mailed to a random sample of students at a North Central university. Questions included individual…

Results of a Flight Simulation Software Methods Survey

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jackson, E. Bruce

1995-01-01

A ten-page questionnaire was mailed to members of the AIAA Flight Simulation Technical Committee in the spring of 1994. The survey inquired about various aspects of developing and maintaining flight simulation software, as well as a few questions dealing with characterization of each facility. As of this report, 19 completed surveys (out of 74 sent out) have been received. This paper summarizes those responses.

Assessing the limitations of the existing physician directory for measuring electronic health record (EHR) adoption rates among physicians in Connecticut, USA: cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Tikoo, Minakshi

2012-01-01

To assess the limitations of the existing physician directory in measuring electronic health record adoption rates among a cohort of Connecticut physicians. A population-based mailing assessed the number of physicians practising in Connecticut. Information about practice site, practises pertaining to storing of patient information, sources of revenue and preferred method for receiving survey. Practice status in Connecticut, measured by yes and no. Demographic information was collected on gender, year of birth, race and ethnicity. The response rate for the postcard mailing was 19% (3105/16 462). Of the 16 462 unduplicated consumers, 233 (1%) were retired and 5828 (35%) did not practise in Connecticut. Of the 3105 valid postcard responses we received, 2159 were for physicians practising in Connecticut. Nine (0.4%) of these responses did not specify a preferred method for receiving the full physician survey; 91 physicians refused to participate in the survey; 2159 surveys were sent out using each physician's requested method for receiving the survey, that is, web-based, regular mail or telephone. As of August 2012, 898 physicians had returned surveys, resulting in a response rate of 42%. The postcard response rate based on the unduplicated lists adjusted for exclusions, such as death, retired and do not practise in Connecticut, is 30%, which is low. We may be missing physicians' population which could greatly affect the indicators being used to measure change in electronic health record adoption rates. It is difficult to obtain an accurate physician count of practising physicians in Connecticut from the existing lists. States that are participating in the projects funded under various Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) initiatives must focus on getting an accurate count of the physicians practising in their state, since their progress is being measured based on this key number.

78 FR 77432 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Bait and Tackle Store Cost-Earnings Survey

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-23

... primary data collection vehicle will be mail or internet-based surveys, but telephone and personal interviews may be employed to supplement and verify mail survey responses. III. Data OMB Control Number: None...

Trends in Direct Mail Marketing--A Survey of Private Four-Year Colleges.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Robert H.

1991-01-01

Surveyed 727 principal admission officers at private, 4-year undergraduate liberal arts colleges in U.S. concerning direct mail marketing. Found that 87 percent of respondents reported currently using direct mail marketing, suggesting that it represents a fundamental building block for vast majority of inquiry and applicant pools. Concludes that,…

Personalized contact strategies and predictors of time to survey completion: analysis of two sequential randomized trials.

PubMed

Dinglas, Victor D; Huang, Minxuan; Sepulveda, Kristin A; Pinedo, Mariela; Hopkins, Ramona O; Colantuoni, Elizabeth; Needham, Dale M

2015-01-09

Effective strategies for contacting and recruiting study participants are critical in conducting clinical research. In this study, we conducted two sequential randomized controlled trials of mail- and telephone-based strategies for contacting and recruiting participants, and evaluated participant-related variables' association with time to survey completion and survey completion rates. Subjects eligible for this study were survivors of acute lung injury who had been previously enrolled in a 12-month observational follow-up study evaluating their physical, cognitive and mental health outcomes, with their last study visit completed at a median of 34 months previously. Eligible subjects were contacted to complete a new research survey as part of two randomized trials, initially using a randomized mail-based contact strategy, followed by a randomized telephone-based contact strategy for non-responders to the mail strategy. Both strategies focused on using either a personalized versus a generic approach. In addition, 18 potentially relevant subject-related variables (e.g., demographics, last known physical and mental health status) were evaluated for association with time to survey completion. Of 308 eligible subjects, 67% completed the survey with a median (IQR) of 3 (2, 5) contact attempts required. There was no significant difference in the time to survey completion for either randomized trial of mail- or phone-based contact strategy. Among all subject-related variables, age ≤40 years and minority race were independently associated with a longer time to survey completion. We found that age ≤40 years and minority race were associated with a longer time to survey completion, but personalized versus generic approaches to mail- and telephone-based contact strategies had no significant effect. Repeating both mail and telephone contact attempts was important for increasing survey completion rate. NCT00719446.

What Makes a Successful Survey? A Systematic Review of Surveys Used in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

PubMed

Ekhtiari, Seper; Kay, Jeffrey; de Sa, Darren; Simunovic, Nicole; Musahl, Volker; Peterson, Devin C; Ayeni, Olufemi R

2017-05-01

To characterize and assess the methodological quality of patient and physician surveys related to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and to analyze the factors influencing response rate. The databases MEDLINE, Embase, and PubMed were searched from database inception to search date and screened in duplicate for relevant studies. Data regarding survey characteristics, response rates, and distribution methods were extracted. A previously published list of recommendations for high-quality surveys in orthopaedics was used as a scale to assess survey quality (12 items scored 0, 1, or 2; maximum score = 24). Of the initial 1,276 studies, 53 studies published between 1986 and 2016 met the inclusion criteria. Sixty-four percent of studies were distributed to physicians, compared with 32% distributed to patients and less than 4% to coaches. The median number of items in each survey was 10.5, and the average response rate was 73% (range: 18% to 100%). In-person distribution was the most common method (40%), followed by web-based methods (28%) and mail (25%). Response rates were highest for surveys targeted at patients (77%, P < .0001) and those delivered in-person (94%, P < .0001). The median quality score was 12/24 (range = 8.5/24 to 21/24). There was high inter-rater agreement using the quality scale (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.92), but there was no correlation with the response rate (Rho = -0.01, P = .97). Response rates vary based on target audience and distribution methods, with patients responding at a significantly higher rate than physicians and in-person distribution yielding significantly higher response rates than web or mail surveys. Level IV, systematic review of Level IV studies. Copyright © 2017 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

AN EVALUATION OF PRIMARY DATA-COLLECTION MODES IN AN ADDRESS-BASED SAMPLING DESIGN.

PubMed

Amaya, Ashley; Leclere, Felicia; Carris, Kari; Liao, Youlian

2015-01-01

As address-based sampling becomes increasingly popular for multimode surveys, researchers continue to refine data-collection best practices. While much work has been conducted to improve efficiency within a given mode, additional research is needed on how multimode designs can be optimized across modes. Previous research has not evaluated the consequences of mode sequencing on multimode mail and phone surveys, nor has significant research been conducted to evaluate mode sequencing on a variety of indicators beyond response rates. We conducted an experiment within the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health across the U.S. Risk Factor Survey (REACH U.S.) to evaluate two multimode case-flow designs: (1) phone followed by mail (phone-first) and (2) mail followed by phone (mail-first). We compared response rates, cost, timeliness, and data quality to identify differences across case-flow design. Because surveys often differ on the rarity of the target population, we also examined whether changes in the eligibility rate altered the choice of optimal case flow. Our results suggested that, on most metrics, the mail-first design was superior to the phone-first design. Compared with phone-first, mail-first achieved a higher yield rate at a lower cost with equivalent data quality. While the phone-first design initially achieved more interviews compared to the mail-first design, over time the mail-first design surpassed it and obtained the greatest number of interviews.

The Evaluation of the College Graduate--Logic, Method and Findings. AIR Forum 1981 Paper.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nelson, Kim; Lewis, John

The extent to which graduates of Winona State University (WSU) Minnesota, attained their goals after college graduation was investigated, based on a survey mailed to all WSU graduates. Returns were obtained for 4,660 graduates, representing 33 percent of the total group. Survey results suggest the following conclusions: the vast majority of…

Teacher-Reported Use of Empirically Validated and Standards-Based Instructional Approaches in Secondary Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gagnon, Joseph Calvin; Maccini, Paula

2007-01-01

A random sample of 167 secondary special and general educators who taught math to students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) and learning disabilities (LD) responded to a mail survey. The survey examined teacher perceptions of (a) definition of math; (b) familiarity with course topics; (c) effectiveness of methods courses; (d)…

Deficiencies in Suicide Training in Primary Care Specialties: A Survey of Training Directors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sudak, Donna; Roy, Alec; Sudak, Howard; Lipschitz, Alan; Maltsberger, John; Hendin, Herbert

2007-01-01

Objective: A high percentage of suicide victims have seen a primary care physician in the months before committing suicide. Thus, primary care physicians may play an important role in suicide prevention. Method: The authors mailed a survey to directors of training programs in family practice, internal medicine, and pediatrics, and 50.5% responded.…

Urban-Rural Differences in the Availability of Hospital Information Technology Applications: A Survey of Georgia Hospitals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Culler, Steven D.; Atherly, Adam; Walczak, Sandra; Davis, Anne; Hawley, Jonathan N.; Rask, Kimberly J.; Naylor, Vi; Thorpe, Kenneth E.

2006-01-01

Context: Information technology (IT) has been identified as a potential tool for improving the safety of health care delivery. Purpose: To determine if there are significant differences between urban and rural community hospitals in the availability of selected IT functional applications and technological devices. Methods: A mailed survey of…

Strategies to Maximize Data Collection Response Rates in a Randomized Control Trial Focused on Children with Medical Complexity.

PubMed

Finkelstein, Stanley M; Celebrezze, Margaret; Cady, Rhonda; Lunos, Scott; Looman, Wendy S

2016-04-01

Obtaining complete and timely subject data is key to the success of clinical trials, particularly for studies requiring data collected from subjects at home or other remote sites. A multifaceted strategy for data collection in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) focused on care coordination for children with medical complexity is described. The influences of data collection mode, incentives, and study group membership on subject response patterns are analyzed. Data collection included monthly healthcare service utilization (HCSU) calendars and annual surveys focused on care coordination outcomes. One hundred sixty-three families were enrolled in the 30-month TeleFamilies RCT. Subjects were 2-15 years of age at enrollment. HCSU data were collected by parent/guardian self-report using mail, e-mail, telephone, or texting. Surveys were collected by mail. Incentives were provided for completed surveys after 8 months to improve collection returns. Outcome measures were the number of HCSU calendars and surveys returned, the return interval, data collection mode, and incentive impact. Return rates of 90% for HCSU calendars and 82% for annual surveys were achieved. Mean return intervals were 72 and 65 days for HCSU and surveys, respectively. Survey response increased from 55% to 95% after introduction of a gift card and added research staff. High return rates for HCSU calendars and health-related surveys are attainable but required a flexible and personnel-intensive approach to collection methods. Family preference for data collection approach should be obtained at enrollment, should be modified as needed, and requires flexible options, training, intensive staff/family interaction, and patience.

Is a Web Survey as Effective as a Mail Survey? A Field Experiment Among Computer Users

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kiernan, Nancy; Kiernan, Michaela; Oyler, Mary; Gilles, Carolyn

2005-01-01

With the exponential increase in Web access, program evaluators need to understand the methodological benefits and barriers of using the Web to collect survey data from program participants. In this experimental study, the authors examined whether a Web survey can be as effective as the more established mail survey on three measures of survey…

A randomized trial of mailed questionnaires versus telephone interviews: Response patterns in a survey

PubMed Central

Feveile, Helene; Olsen, Ole; Hogh, Annie

2007-01-01

Background Data for health surveys are often collected using either mailed questionnaires, telephone interviews or a combination. Mode of data collection can affect the propensity to refuse to respond and result in different patterns of responses. The objective of this paper is to examine and quantify effects of mode of data collection in health surveys. Methods A stratified sample of 4,000 adults residing in Denmark was randomised to mailed questionnaires or computer-assisted telephone interviews. 45 health-related items were analyzed; four concerning behaviour and 41 concerning self assessment. Odds ratios for more positive answers and more frequent use of extreme response categories (both positive and negative) among telephone respondents compared to questionnaire respondents were estimated. Tests were Bonferroni corrected. Results For the four health behaviour items there were no significant differences in the response patterns. For 32 of the 41 health self assessment items the response pattern was statistically significantly different and extreme response categories were used more frequently among telephone respondents (Median estimated odds ratio: 1.67). For a majority of these mode sensitive items (26/32), a more positive reporting was observed among telephone respondents (Median estimated odds ratio: 1.73). The overall response rate was similar among persons randomly assigned to questionnaires (58.1%) and to telephone interviews (56.2%). A differential nonresponse bias for age and gender was observed. The rate of missing responses was higher for questionnaires (0.73 – 6.00%) than for telephone interviews (0 – 0.51%). The "don't know" option was used more often by mail respondents (10 – 24%) than by telephone respondents (2 – 4%). Conclusion The mode of data collection affects the reporting of self assessed health items substantially. In epidemiological studies, the method effect may be as large as the effects under investigation. Caution is needed when comparing prevalences across surveys or when studying time trends. PMID:17592653

Reasons anglers did not respond to an internet survey and evaluation of data quality

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gigliotti, Larry M.; Henderson, Kjetil R.

2015-01-01

Natural resource management agencies have traditionally used statewide mail surveys to gather information from anglers, but cost savings and faster returns occur using the internet. This study examined mail or internet fishery survey return rates and associated data by license type of South Dakota resident anglers. Junior anglers (ages 16-18; Junior Combination license) had the lowest internet and mail survey return rates (20% and 28%, respectively), followed by adult anglers (ages 19-64; Adult Fishing and Adult Combination licenses; 30% and 39%, respectively), and senior anglers (ages 65+; Senior Fishing and Senior Combination licenses; 42% and 66%, respectively). The three age groups were significantly different on three email use characteristics (shared email, frequency of use, and comfort level). The primary reason for not responding to the internet survey was not receiving or noticing the email request, and secondarily, being too busy to respond. Although having a relatively low response rate, data collected by the internet compared to follow-up mail surveys of internet non-respondents were similar.

Validity of mail survey data on bagged waterfowl

USGS Publications Warehouse

Atwood, E.L.

1956-01-01

Knowledge of the pattern of occurrence and characteristics of response errors obtained during an investigation of the validity of post-season surveys of hunters was used to advantage to devise a two-step method for removing the response-bias errors from the raw survey data. The method was tested on data with known errors and found to have a high efficiency in reducing the effect of response-bias errors. The development of this method for removing the effect of the response-bias errors, and its application to post-season hunter-take survey data, increased the reliability of the data from below the point of practical management significance up to the approximate reliability limits corresponding to the sampling errors.

The Educational Impact of E-Mail: Extraverted versus Introverted Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kunderewicz, Larisa; Michener, Stacey; Chambliss, Catherine

College students (N=151) completed surveys assessing the relationship between e-mail use and extraversion. The variables studied included time spent on e-mail; the frequency of e-mail usage; and the purposes e-mail served for each student. The results suggest that extraverts use e-mail as a form of procrastination more than introverts, and that…

Does age matter? The influence of age on response rates in a mixed-mode survey

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gigliotti, Larry M.; Dietsch, Alia

2014-01-01

The appeal of cost savings and faster results has fish and wildlife management agencies considering the use of Internet surveys instead of traditional mail surveys to collect information from their constituents. Internet surveys, however, may suffer from differential age-related response rates, potentially producing biased results if certain age groups respond to Internet surveys differently than they do to mail surveys. We examined this concern using data from a mixed-mode angler survey conducted in South Dakota following the 2011 fishing season. Results indicated that young anglers (16–18) had the lowest return rates and senior anglers (65+) had the highest, regardless of survey mode. Despite this consistency in response rates, we note two concerns: (a) lower Internet response rates and (b) different age groups represented by the Internet and mail survey samples differed dramatically. Findings indicate that constituent groups may be represented differently with the use of various survey modes.

How Much Do Additional Mailings and Telephone Calls Contribute to Response Rates in a Survey of Medicare Beneficiaries?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burkhart, Q.; Haviland, Amelia M.; Kallaur, Paul N.; Edwards, Carol A.; Brown, Julie A.; Elliott, Marc N.

2015-01-01

Surveys often spend substantial money on multiple mailings and telephone calls to ensure high overall response rates and adequate representation of hard-to-reach demographic subgroups. We examine the extent to which an additional mailing and additional sets of telephone calls are effective in attaining these goals across a variety of subgroups in…

Crossing the Threshold of Rocket Mail: E-Mail Use by U.S. Humanities Faculty.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bridges, Anne E.; Clement, Russell T.

1997-01-01

Discusses the use of e-mail by humanities faculty based on an e-mail survey of faculty at Brigham Young University (Utah) and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Results indicate that humanities faculty are significantly heavier e-mail users than previously reported. (LRW)

A comparison of estimates of statewide pleasure trip volume and expenditures derived from telephone versus mail surveys

Treesearch

Dae-Kwan Kim; Daniel M. Spotts; Donald F. Holecek

1998-01-01

This paper compares estimates of pleasure trip volume and expenditures derived from a regional telephone survey to those derived from the TravelScope mail panel survey. Significantly different estimates emerged, suggesting that survey-based estimates of pleasure trip volume and expenditures, at least in the case of the two surveys examined, appear to be affected by...

Feeding Tube Placement in Patients with Advanced Dementia: The Beliefs and Practice Patterns of Speech-Language Pathologists

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sharp, Helen M.; Shega, Joseph W.

2009-01-01

Purpose: To describe the beliefs and practices of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) about the use of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) among patients with advanced dementia and dysphagia. Method: A survey was mailed to a geographically stratified random sample of 1,050 medical SLPs. Results: The response rate was 57%, and 326 surveys met…

The health-related quality of life in long-term colorectal cancer survivors study: objectives, methods and patient sample.

PubMed

Mohler, M Jane; Coons, Stephen Joel; Hornbrook, Mark C; Herrinton, Lisa J; Wendel, Christopher S; Grant, Marcia; Krouse, Robert S

2008-07-01

The objective of this paper is to describe the complex mixed-methods design of a study conducted to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes and ostomy-related obstacles and adjustments among long-term (>5 years) colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors with ostomies (cases) and without ostomies (controls). In addition, details are provided regarding the study sample and the psychometric properties of the quantitative data collection measures used. Subsequent manuscripts will present the study findings. The study design involved a cross-sectional mail survey for collecting quantitative data and focus groups for collecting qualitative data. The study subjects were individuals identified as long-term CRC survivors within a community-based health maintenance organization's enrolled population. Focus groups comprised of cases were conducted. The groups were divided by gender and HRQOL high and low quartile contrasts (based on the mail survey data). The modified City of Hope Quality of Life (mCOH-QOL)-Ostomy and SF-36v2 questionnaires were used in the mail survey. An abridged version of the mCOH-QOL-Ostomy was used for the control subjects. Focus groups explored ostomy-related barriers to self-care, adaptation methods/skills, and advice for others with an ostomy. The survey response rate was 52% (679/1308) and 34 subjects participated in focus groups. The internal consistency reliability estimates for the mCOH-QOL-Ostomy and SF-36v2 questionnaires were very acceptable for group comparisons. In addition, evidence supports the construct validity of the abridged version of the mCOH-QOL-Ostomy. Study limitations include potential non-response bias and limited minority participation. We were able to successfully recruit long-term CRC survivors into this study and the psychometric properties of the quantitative measures used were quite acceptable. Mixed-methods designs, such as the one used in this study, may be useful in identification and further elucidation of common problems, coping strategies, and HRQOL outcomes among long-term cancer survivors.

Effects of various methodologic strategies: survey response rates among Canadian physicians and physicians-in-training.

PubMed

Grava-Gubins, Inese; Scott, Sarah

2008-10-01

To increase the overall 2007 response rate of the National Physician Survey (NPS) from the survey's 2004 rate of response with the implementation of various methodologic strategies. Physicians were stratified to receive either a long version (12 pages) or a short version (6 pages) of the survey (38% and 62%, respectively). Mixed modes of contact were used-58% were contacted by e-mail and 42% by regular mail-with multiple modes of contact attempted for nonrespondents. The self-administered, confidential surveys were distributed in either English or French. Medical residents and students received e-mail surveys only and were offered a substantial monetary lottery incentive for completing their surveys. A professional communications firm assisted in marketing the survey and delivered advance notification of its impending distribution. Canada. A total of 62 441 practising physicians, 2627 second-year medical residents, and 9162 medical students in Canada. Of the practising physicians group, 60 811 participants were eligible and 19 239 replied, for an overall 2007 study response rate of 31.64% (compared with 35.85% in 2004). No difference in rate of response was found between the longer and shorter versions of the survey. If contacted by regular mail, the response rate was 34.1%; the e-mail group had a response rate of 29.9%. Medical student and resident response rates were 30.8% and 27.9%, respectively (compared with 31.2% and 35.6% in 2004). Despite shortening the questionnaires, contacting more physicians by e-mail, and enhancing marketing and follow-up, the 2007 NPS response rate for practising physicians did not surpass the 2004 NPS response rate. Offering a monetary lottery incentive to medical residents and students was also unsuccessful in increasing their response rates. The role of surveys in gathering information from physicians and physicians-in-training remains problematic. Researchers need to investigate alternative strategies for achieving higher rates of response.

Doctors Who Are Using E-mail With Their Patients: a Qualitative Exploration

PubMed Central

Patt, Madhavi R; Jenckes, Mollie W; Sands, Daniel Z; Ford, Daniel E

2003-01-01

Background Despite the potential for rapid, asynchronous, documentable communication, the use of e-mail for physician-patient communication has not been widely adopted. Objective To survey physicians currently using e-mail with their patients daily to understand their experiences. Methods In-depth phone interviews of 45 physicians currently using e-mail with patients were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Two investigators independently qualitatively coded comments. Differences were adjudicated by group consensus. Results Almost all of the 642 comments from these physicians who currently use e-mail with patients daily could be grouped into 1 of 4 broad domains: (1) e-mail access and content, (2) effects of e-mail on the doctor-patient relationship, (3) managing clinical issues by e-mail, and (4) integrating e-mail into office processes. The most consistent theme was that e-mail communication enhances chronic-disease management. Many physicians also reported improved continuity of care and increased flexibility in responding to nonurgent issues. Integration of e-mail into daily workflow, such as utilization of office personnel, appears to be a significant area of concern for many of the physicians. For other issues, such as content, efficiency of e-mail, and confidentiality, there were diverging experiences and opinions. Physicians appear to be selective in choosing which patients they will communicate with via e-mail, but the criteria for selection is unclear. Conclusions These physician respondents did perceive benefits to e-mail with a select group of patients. Several areas, such as identifying clinical situations where e-mail communication is effective, incorporating e-mail into office flow, and being reimbursed for online medical care/communication, need to be addressed before this mode of communication diffuses into most practices. PMID:12857665

A national assessment of colleges and university school health education methods courses.

PubMed

Fisher, Christine M; Price, James H; Telljohann, Susan K; Dake, Joseph A

2015-04-01

Across the United States, school health education programs provide a wide variety of knowledge and skills to their students. There are currently no guidelines for school health methods courses. Using a 2-wave mailing followed by a third wave e-mail reminder, a final population of 226 university school health methods instructors at school health preparation programs were surveyed. A total of 138 completed surveys (61%) were returned. The topics taught in school health education methods courses emphasized the most included aligning objectives, instruction, and assessment (79%); development of lesson plans (73%); teaching methods that engage learners (72%); and application of the National Health Education Standards and performance indicators (69%). The content taught and how the instructors assessed their students differed statistically by 1 or more of the following: whether they had a health education degree, had experience teaching in the public schools, and if their program was accredited. This study provides information regarding what school health methods instructors across the United States are teaching in their classes. Using this information as a baseline can serve as a guide for preservice faculty teaching a school health methods course. © 2015, American School Health Association.

Do postage stamps versus pre-paid envelopes increase responses to patient mail surveys? A randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Lavelle, Katrina; Todd, Chris; Campbell, Malcolm

2008-05-28

Studies largely from the market research field suggest that the inclusion of a stamped addressed envelope, rather than a pre-paid business reply, increases the response rate to mail surveys. The evidence that this is also the case regarding patient mail surveys is limited. The aim of this study is to investigate whether stamped addressed envelopes increase response rates to patient mail surveys compared to pre-paid business reply envelopes and compare the relative costs. A sample of 477 initial non-responders to a mail survey of patients attending breast clinics in Greater Manchester between 1/10/2002 - 31/7/2003 were entered into the trial: 239 were randomly allocated to receive a stamped envelope and 238 to receive a pre-paid envelope in with their reminder surveys. Overall cost and per item returned were calculated. The response to the stamped envelope group was 31.8% (95% CI: 25.9% - 37.7%) compared to 26.9% (21.3% - 32.5%) for the pre-paid group. The difference (4.9% 95% CI: -3.3% - 13.1%) is not significant at alpha = 0.05 (chi2 = 1.39; 2 tailed test, d.f. = 1; P = 0.239). The stamped envelopes were cheaper in terms of cost per returned item (1.20 pounds) than the pre-paid envelopes (1.67 pounds). However if the set up cost for the licence to use the pre-paid service is excluded, the cost of the stamped envelopes is more expensive than pre-paid returns (1.20 pounds versus 0.73 pounds). Compared with pre-paid business replies, stamped envelopes did not produce a statistically significant increase in response rate to this patient survey. However, the response gain of the stamped strategy (4.9%) is similar to that demonstrated in a Cochrane review (5.3%) of strategies to increase response to general mail surveys. Further studies and meta analyses of patient responses to mail surveys via stamped versus pre-paid envelopes are needed with sufficient power to detect response gains of this magnitude in a patient population.

The effectiveness of recruitment strategies on general practitioner's survey response rates - a systematic review.

PubMed

Pit, Sabrina Winona; Vo, Tham; Pyakurel, Sagun

2014-06-06

Low survey response rates in general practice are common and lead to loss of power, selection bias, unexpected budgetary constraints and time delays in research projects. To assess the effectiveness of recruitment strategies aimed at increasing survey response rates among GPs. Systematic review. MEDLINE (OVIDSP, 1948-2012), EMBASE (OVIDSP, 1980-2012), Evidence Based Medicine Reviews (OVIDSP, 2012) and references of included papers were searched. Major search terms included GPs, recruitment strategies, response rates, and randomised controlled trials (RCT). Cluster RCTs, RCTs and factorial trial designs that evaluate recruitment strategies aimed at increasing GP survey response rates. Abstracts identified by the search strategy were reviewed and relevant articles were retrieved. Each full-text publication was examined to determine whether it met the predetermined inclusion criteria. Data extraction and study quality was assessed by using predetermined checklists. Monetary and nonmonetary incentives were more effective than no incentive with monetary incentives having a slightly bigger effect than nonmonetary incentives. Large incentives were more effective than small incentives, as were upfront monetary incentives compared to promised monetary incentives. Postal surveys were more effective than telephone or email surveys. One study demonstrated that sequentially mixed mode (online survey followed by a paper survey with a reminder) was more effective than an online survey or the combination of an online and paper survey sent similtaneously in the first mail out. Pre-contact with a phonecall from a peer, personalised packages, sending mail on Friday, and using registered mail also increased response rates in single studies. Pre-contact by letter or postcard almost reached statistical signficance. GP survey response rates may improve by using the following strategies: monetary and nonmonetary incentives, larger incentives, upfront monetary incentives, postal surveys, pre-contact with a phonecall from a peer, personalised packages, sending mail on Friday, and using registered mail. Mail pre-contact may also improve response rates and have low costs. Improved reporting and further trials, including sequential mixed mode trials and social media, are required to determine the effectiveness of recruitment strategies on GPs' response rates to surveys.

Resident use of the Internet, e-mail, and personal electronics in the care of surgical patients.

PubMed

Plant, Mathew A; Fish, Joel S

2015-01-01

The use of smartphones, e-mail, and the Internet has affected virtually all areas of patient care. Current university and hospital policies concerning the use of devices may be incongruent with day-to-day patient care. The goal was to assess the current usage patterns of the Internet, e-mail, and personal electronics for clinical purposes by surgical residents as well as their communication habits and preferences. Also assessed was residents' knowledge regarding the institutional policies surrounding these issues. Surgical residents (n = 294) at a large teaching institution were surveyed regarding their knowledge of university policies as well as daily use of various communication technologies. Communication preferences were determined using theoretical clinical scenarios. Our survey with a response rate of 54.7% (n = 161) revealed that 93.8% of participants indicated daily Internet use for clinical duties. Most respondents (72%) were either completely unaware of the existence of guidelines for its use or aware but had no familiarity with their content. Use of e-mail for clinical duties was common (85%), and 74% of the respondents rated e-mail as "very important" or "extremely important" for patient care. Everyone who responded had a mobile phone with 98.7% being "smartphones," which the majority (82.9%) stated was "very important" or "extremely important" for patient care. Text messaging was the primary communication method for 57.8% of respondents. The traditional paging system was the primary communication method for only 1.3% of respondents and the preferred method for none. Daily use of technology is the norm among residents; however, knowledge of university guidelines was exceedingly low. Residents need better education regarding current guidelines. Current guidelines do not reflect current clinical practice. Hospitals should consider abandoning the traditional paging system and consider facilitating better use of residents' mobile phones.

Benefits of Multiple Methods for Evaluating HIV Counseling and Testing Sites in Pennsylvania.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Encandela, John A.; Gehl, Mary Beth; Silvestre, Anthony; Schelzel, George

1999-01-01

Examines results from two methods used to evaluate publicly funded human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) counseling and testing in Pennsylvania. Results of written mail surveys of all sites and interviews from a random sample of 30 sites were similar in terms of questions posed and complementary in other ways. (SLD)

Incentive and Reminder Strategies to Improve Response Rate for Internet-Based Physician Surveys: A Randomized Experiment

PubMed Central

Wittich, Christopher M; Daniels, Wendlyn L; West, Colin P; Harris, Ann M; Beebe, Timothy J

2016-01-01

Background Most research on how to enhance response rates in physician surveys has been done using paper surveys. Uncertainties remain regarding how to enhance response rates in Internet-based surveys. Objective To evaluate the impact of a low-cost nonmonetary incentive and paper mail reminders (formal letter and postcard) on response rates in Internet-based physician surveys. Methods We executed a factorial-design randomized experiment while conducting a nationally representative Internet-based physician survey. We invited 3966 physicians (randomly selected from a commercial database of all licensed US physicians) via email to complete an Internet-based survey. We used 2 randomly assigned email messages: one message offered a book upon survey completion, whereas the other did not mention the book but was otherwise identical. All nonrespondents received several email reminders. Some physicians were further assigned at random to receive 1 reminder via paper mail (either a postcard or a letter) or no paper reminder. The primary outcome of this study was the survey response rate. Results Of the 3966 physicians who were invited, 451 (11.4%) responded to at least one survey question and 336 (8.5%) completed the entire survey. Of those who were offered a book, 345/2973 (11.6%) responded compared with 106/993 (10.7%) who were not offered a book (odds ratio 1.10, 95% CI 0.87-1.38, P=.42). Regarding the paper mail reminder, 168/1572 (10.7%) letter recipients, 148/1561 (9.5%) postcard recipients, and 69/767 (9.0%) email-only recipients responded (P=.35). The response rate for those receiving letters or postcards was similar (odds ratio 1.14, 95% CI 0.91-1.44, P=.26). Conclusions Offering a modest nonmonetary incentive and sending a paper reminder did not improve survey response rate. Further research on how to enhance response rates in Internet-based physician surveys is needed. PMID:27637296

Internet research in an international context.

PubMed

Baernholdt, Marianne; Clarke, Sean P

2006-02-01

Computers and the Internet provide researchers with new options in surveying. When using electronic surveys, several practical and methodological issues need to be considered such as whether the majority of the surveyed population has Internet access and whether an e-mail or a Web-based survey is most appropriate. Other important considerations relate to Internet security issues and, in international research, the possibility of language barriers. Despite these challenges, electronic surveys offer a promising alternative to conventional mail surveys.

Electronic mail was not better than postal mail for surveying residents and faculty.

PubMed

Akl, Elie A; Maroun, Nancy; Klocke, Robert A; Montori, Victor; Schünemann, Holger J

2005-04-01

To compare response rate, time to response, and data quality of electronic and postal surveys in the setting of postgraduate medical education. A randomized controlled trial in a university-based internal medicine residency program. We randomized 119 residents and 83 faculty to an electronic versus a postal survey with up to two reminders and measured response rate, time to response, and data quality. For residents, the e-survey resulted in a lower response rate than the postal survey (63.3% versus 79.7%; difference -16.3%, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) -32.3% to -0.4%%; P=.049), but a shorter mean response time, by 3.8 days (95% CI 0.2-7.4; P=.042). For faculty, the e-survey did not result in a significantly lower response rate than the postal survey (85.4% vs. 81.0%; difference 4.4%, 95% CI -11.7 to 20.5%; P=.591), but resulted in a shorter average response time, by 8.4 days (95% CI 4.4 to 12.4; P < 0.001). There were no differences in the quality of data or responses to the survey between the two methods. E-surveys were not superior to postal surveys in terms of response rate, but resulted in shorter time to response and equivalent data quality.

Electronic Survey Administration: Assessment in the Twenty-First Century

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olsen, Danny R.; Wygant, Steven A.; Brown, Bruce L.

2004-01-01

Recent advances in electronic data collection have opened broad new possibilities for educational assessment. Potentially significant savings in time, money, and effort make Web-based and e-mail-based surveys more and more attractive as alternatives to mail surveys and face-to-face interviews. Yet, as with any major change, questions and obstacles…

Improving response rate and quality of survey data with a scratch lottery ticket incentive

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background The quality of data collected in survey research is usually indicated by the response rate; the representativeness of the sample, and; the rate of completed questions (item-response). In attempting to improve a generally declining response rate in surveys considerable efforts are being made through follow-up mailings and various types of incentives. This study examines effects of including a scratch lottery ticket in the invitation letter to a survey. Method Questionnaires concerning oral health were mailed to a random sample of 2,400 adults. A systematically selected half of the sample (1,200 adults) received a questionnaire including a scratch lottery ticket. One reminder without the incentive was sent. Results The incentive increased the response rate and improved representativeness by reaching more respondents with lower education. Furthermore, it reduced item nonresponse. The initial incentive had no effect on the propensity to respond after the reminder. Conclusion When attempting to improve survey data, three issues become important: response rate, representativeness, and item-response. This study shows that including a scratch lottery ticket in the invitation letter performs well on all the three. PMID:22515335

Cline Library Surveys of the NAU Faculty and Students, and Users of Media Services and Field Services, and Evaluations of the Desk Services Provided by Media Services and Special Collections and Archives.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mullen, Melissa J.; And Others

Results are presented from surveys conducted at Northern Arizona University (NAU) about its library services. Mail survey questionnaires were completed by 266 faculty members, and a telephone survey questioned 400 students about library services at the university's Cline Library. A mail survey completed by 121 media service users and 126 field…

A Health Website Recommendation from Gold Coast General Practitioners to Their Patients: A Mixed Method Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Usher, Wayne

2011-01-01

Introduction: To identify health website recommendation trends by Gold Coast (Australia) general practitioners (GPs) to their patients. Method: A mixed method approach to data collection and analysis was employed. Quantitative data were collected using a prepaid postal survey, consisting of 17 questions, mailed to 250 (61 per cent) of 410 GPs on…

Comparison of internet and mailing methods to recruit couples into research on unaided smoking cessation.

PubMed

Derrick, Jaye L; Eliseo-Arras, Rebecca K; Hanny, Courtney; Britton, Maggie; Haddad, Sana

2017-12-01

In smoking cessation studies with restrictive criteria (e.g., single-smoker couples), thousands of potential participants might need to be screened to obtain a reasonable sample size. Consideration of recruitment methodology is critical because recruitment methods influence both the success and cost effectiveness of recruitment. Although traditional recruitment methods are often used to recruit participants into smoking cessation research, newer technologies, such as paid Facebook advertising, might offer more cost-effective alternatives for recruitment. The current analysis compares two versions of paid Facebook advertising and a specialized mass mailing method used to recruit single-smoker couples into an intensive three-week study of unaided smoking cessation. The three methods are compared in terms of demographic characteristics, eligibility, and cost-effectiveness. Although Facebook's "Promote Your Page" mechanism achieved the fastest recruitment rate (2.75 couples per month; 498 USD per couple), Facebook's "Send People to Your Website" mechanism was the least expensive and provided the most demographically diverse sample (1.64 couples per month; 181 USD per couple). The specialized mailing method was not productive or cost-effective (0.80 couples per month; 454 USD per couple). Paid Facebook advertising fared better as a recruitment method than a specialized mailing method often used in survey research. Studies that have less restrictive eligibility criteria, that draw from a larger local population, or that recruit for a less intense study might find paid Facebook advertising to be quite feasible. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Internal Medicine Residents' Training in Substance Use Disorders: A Survey of the Quality of Instruction and Residents' Self-Perceived Preparedness to Diagnose and Treat Addiction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wakeman, Sarah E.; Baggett, Meridale V.; Pham-Kanter, Genevieve; Campbell, Eric G.

2013-01-01

Background: Resident physicians are the direct care providers for many patients with addiction. This study assesses residents' self-perceived preparedness to diagnose and treat addiction, measures residents' perceptions of the quality of addictions instruction, and evaluates basic knowledge of addictions. Methods: A survey was e-mailed to 184…

A National Survey of Early Adopters of E-Book Reading in Sweden

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bergström, Annika; Höglund, Lars

2014-01-01

Introduction: Reading literature is believed to be a cornerstone of democracy and good citizenship. With a decline in book reading and an increasing e-book market, it is of importance to follow the diffusion of e-book reading. Method: Data were collected in a large-scale, mail survey of the Swedish population aged 16 to 85 years conducted in 2012.…

Mixed-Mode Surveys: A Strategy to Reduce Costs and Enhance Response Rates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tobin, Daniel; Thomson, Joan; Radhakrishna, Rama; LaBorde, Luke

2012-01-01

Mixed-mode surveys present one opportunity for Extension to determine program outcomes at lower costs. In order to conduct a follow-up evaluation, we implemented a mixed-mode survey that relied on communication using the Web, postal mailings, and telephone calls. Using multiple modes conserved costs by reducing the number of postal mailings yet…

The Effectiveness of Mail Survey Techniques in Studies of Semiprofessional Work Groups: Response Rates of Vocational-Technical Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

DeBord, Larry W.

1979-01-01

A study of the factors influencing response rates in survey research--including kind of instrument used and personality and job characteristics of those surveyed--examined response rates to a mailed questionnaire in a sample of vocational-technical teachers and their program directors. Offers suggestions on improving response rates in…

78 FR 13886 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request for the Production Estimate (2 Forms)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-01

... DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. Geological Survey [USGS-GX13LR000F60100] Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request for the Production Estimate (2 Forms) AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey... Officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Mail Stop 807, Reston, VA 20192 (mail); 703...

Improving Response Rates and Response Quality in Educational Survey Research.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tollefson, Nona; And Others

The purpose of this study was to apply the tenets of social exchange theory in developing cover letters for mailed surveys. A survey questionnaire designed to measure teachers' attitudes toward tests was mailed to 1200 Kansas teachers. Cover letters were written to create variation in perceived cost (time needed to complete the questionnaire) and…

The 1998 Canadian Contraception Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fisher, William A.; Boroditsky, Richard; Bridges, Martha L.

1999-01-01

Describes the 1998 Canadian Contraception Study, a mailed survey which asked women about contraceptive practices past, present, and future (including use of oral contraceptives, condoms, and sterilization); familiarity with and opinion about different contraception methods; and general sexual and reproductive health. The paper also examines…

Monitoring validated quality of life outcomes after prostatectomy: initial description of novel online questionnaire.

PubMed

Sebrow, Dov; Lavery, Hugh J; Brajtbord, Jonathan S; Hobbs, Adele; Levinson, Adam W; Samadi, David B

2012-02-01

To describe a novel, low-cost, online health-related quality of life (HRQOL) survey that allows for automated follow-up and convenient access for patients in geographically diverse locations. Clinicians and investigators have been encouraged to use validated HRQOL instruments when reporting outcomes after radical prostatectomy. The institutional review board approved our protocol and the use of a secure web site (http://www.SurveyMonkey.com) to send patients a collection of validated postprostatectomy HRQOL instruments by electronic mail. To assess compliance with the electronic mail format, a pilot study of cross-sectional surveys was sent to patients who presented for follow-up after robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. The response data were transmitted in secure fashion in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. After providing written informed consent, 514 patients who presented for follow-up after robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy from March 2010 to February 2011 were sent the online survey. A total of 293 patients (57%) responded, with an average age of 60 years and a median interval from surgery of 12 months. Of the respondents, 75% completed the survey within 4 days of receiving the electronic mail, with a median completion time of 15 minutes. The total survey administration costs were limited to the web site's $200 annual fee-for-service. An online survey can be a low-cost, efficient, and confidential modality for assessing validated HRQOL outcomes in patients who undergo treatment of localized prostate cancer. This method could be especially useful for those who cannot return for follow-up because of geographic reasons. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Factors That Impact Nurses’ Utilization of Electronic Mail (E-Mail).

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-05-21

of a system but did little to influence behavior. A study by Golden, Beauclair , & Sussman (1992) surveyed 200 electronic mail account holders at an...Aldine Publishing. Golden, P. A., Beauclair , R., & Sussman, L. (1992). Factors affecting electronic mail use. Computers in Human Behavior, 8, 297-311

Assessing West Virginia NIPF owner preferred forest management assistance topics and delivery methods

Treesearch

Daniel J. Magill; Rory F. Fraser; David W. McGill

2003-01-01

Four hundred and fourteen non-industrial private forest (NIPF) owners in West Virginia responded to a mail survey questionnaire assessing their forest management assistance topics and delivery methods of interest. Logistic regression was used to analyze 39 independent variables in relation to the dependent variables of wanting a specific topic of forestry assistance or...

The process and organizational characteristics of memory clinics in Israel in 2007.

PubMed

Werner, Perla; Goldstein, Dovrat; Heinik, Jeremia

2009-01-01

We previously described the characteristics and activities of 25 memory clinics in Israel in 1998 using a mail survey. Questionnaires assessing the administrative structure of the clinics, patient characteristics, processes and methods used, and outcomes of the assessment were mailed again in 2007 to 35 memory clinics. Overall, the general operating characteristics of the clinics in 2007 were found to be similar to those reported in the previous survey conducted in 1998. The assessment process in 2007 was shorter than in 1998 (mean time=1.92 and 3.12 h, respectively), although both surveys were based on an interdisciplinary team, including a physician, a nurse and a social worker. However, in 2007 the teams were more wide-ranging. A wider variety of instruments were reported in the more recent survey. Most of the clinics in both surveys reported that family members were involved at all stages of the assessment. Medication treatment was the main outcome reported by the clinics in both surveys. There has been a development in the process and organizational characteristics of memory clinics in Israel over the years, probably as a consequence of the development of knowledge in the area of cognitive deterioration.

The Health-Related Quality of Life in Long-Term Colorectal Cancer Survivors Study: objectives, methods, and patient sample

PubMed Central

Mohler, M. Jane; Coons, Stephen Joel; Hornbrook, Mark C.; Herrinton, Lisa J.; Wendel, Christopher S.; Grant, Marcia; Krouse, Robert S.

2008-01-01

Objectives The objective of this paper is to describe the complex mixed-methods design of a study conducted to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes and ostomy-related obstacles and adjustments among long-term (>five years) colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors with ostomies (cases) and without ostomies (controls). In addition, details are provided regarding the study sample and the psychometric properties of the quantitative data collection measures used. Subsequent manuscripts will present the study findings. Research Design and Methods The study design involved a cross-sectional mail survey for collecting quantitative data and focus groups for collecting qualitative data. The study subjects were individuals identified as long-term CRC survivors within a community-based health maintenance organization's enrolled population. Focus groups comprised of cases and divided by gender and HRQOL high and low quartile contrasts (based on the mail survey data) were conducted. Main Outcome Measures The modified City of Hope Quality of Life (mCOH-QOL)-Ostomy and SF-36v2 questionnaires were used in the mail survey. An abridged version of the mCOH-QOL-Ostomy was used for the control subjects. Focus groups explored ostomy-related barriers to self-care, adaptation methods/skills, and advice for others with an ostomy. Results The survey response rate was 52% (679/1308) and 34 subjects participated in focus groups. The internal consistency reliability estimates for the mCOH-QOL-Ostomy and SF-36v2 questionnaires were very acceptable for group comparisons. In addition, evidence supports the construct validity of the abridged version of the mCOH-QOL-Ostomy. Study limitations include potential non-response bias and limited minority participation. Conclusions We were able to successfully recruit long-term CRC survivors into this study and the psychometric properties of the quantitative measures used were quite acceptable. Mixed-methods designs, such as the one used in this study, may be useful in identification and further elucidation of common problems, coping strategies, and HRQOL outcomes among long-term cancer survivors. PMID:18544186

Randomised controlled comparison of the Health Survey Short Form (SF-12) and the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) in telephone interviews versus self-administered questionnaires. Are the results equivalent?

PubMed Central

Lungenhausen, Margitta; Lange, Stefan; Maier, Christoph; Schaub, Claudia; Trampisch, Hans J; Endres, Heinz G

2007-01-01

Background The most commonly used survey methods are self-administered questionnaires, telephone interviews, and a mixture of both. But until now evidence out of randomised controlled trials as to whether patient responses differ depending on the survey mode is lacking. Therefore this study assessed whether patient responses to surveys depend on the mode of survey administration. The comparison was between mailed, self-administered questionnaires and telephone interviews. Methods A four-armed, randomised controlled two-period change-over design. Each patient responded to the same survey twice, once in written form and once by telephone interview, separated by at least a fortnight. The study was conducted in 2003/2004 in Germany. 1087 patients taking part in the German Acupuncture Trials (GERAC cohort study), who agreed to participate in a survey after completing acupuncture treatment from an acupuncture-certified family physician for headache, were randomised. Of these, 823 (664 women) from the ages of 18 to 83 (mean 51.7) completed both parts of the study. The main outcome measure was the comparison of the scores on the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) and the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) questionnaire for the two survey modes. Results Computer-aided telephone interviews (CATI) resulted in significantly fewer missing data (0.5%) than did mailed questionnaires (2.8%; p < 0.001). The analysis of equivalence revealed a difference between the survey modes only for the SF-12 mental scales. On average, reported mental status score was 3.5 score points (2.9 to 4.0) lower on the self-administered questionnaire compared to the telephone interview. The order of administration affected results. Patients who responded to the telephone interview first reported better mental health in the subsequent paper questionnaire (mean difference 2.8 score points) compared to those who responded to the paper questionnaire first (mean difference 4.1 score points). Conclusion Despite the comparatively high cost of telephone interviews, they offer clear advantages over mailed self-administered questionnaires as regards completeness of data. Only items concerning mental status were dependent on the survey mode and sequence of administration. Items on physical status were not affected. Normative data for standardized telephone questionnaires could contribute to a better comparability with the results of the corresponding standardized paper questionnaires. PMID:18034900

Telephone vs. mail survey gives different SF-36 quality-of-life scores among cancer survivors.

PubMed

Buskirk, Trent D; Stein, Kevin D

2008-10-01

To assess whether SF-36 quality-of-life (QOL) subscale scores varied across two survey modes controlling for cancer type and diagnosis cohort. Stratified random samples of 720 cancer survivors from six cancer types and three time-since diagnosis cohorts were selected from two state cancer registries. Selected survivors were randomly assigned to mail, telephone, or choice of these for survey administration. This study analyzes completed questionnaires obtained from 140 and 155 survivors who were assigned to telephone and mail, respectively. A significant multivariate effect for survey mode was noted. Mean levels for each subscale controlling for age and accounting for cancer type were higher for telephone compared to mail respondents; significant differences were noted for vitality, role physical, and mental health. The impact of cancer type on QOL subscales was not significant, and the effect of mode was consistent across cancer type. Previous findings in mode effects for the SF-36 are reproduced here among cancer survivors who may feel more comfortable revealing physical and emotional deficits via mail rather than by telephone. For cancer survivors, it may be that "social desirability" favors responses implying more functioning be it perceived, mental, or physical.

Do Children in Rural Areas Still Have Different Access to Health Care? Results from a Statewide Survey of Oregon's Food Stamp Population

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Devoe, Jennifer E.; Krois, Lisa; Stenger, Rob

2009-01-01

Purpose: To determine if rural residence is independently associated with different access to health care services for children eligible for public health insurance. Methods: We conducted a mail-return survey of 10,175 families randomly selected from Oregon's food stamp population (46% rural and 54% urban). With a response rate of 31%, we used a…

77 FR 33224 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-05

... provided by a contractor, or in-class evaluation forms completed by providers who receive training from..., in-class evaluation forms, mail surveys, and telephone surveys are expected to be the preferred data... response hours In-Class Evaluations 40,000 1 40,000 .05 2,000 Mail/Telephone Surveys 12,000 1 12,000 .25 3...

Survey Costs and Errors: User’s Manual for the Lotus 1-2-3 Spreadsheet

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-04-01

select appropriate options such as the use of a business reply envelope or a self -addressed, stamped envelope for returning mailed surveys. Recruit. T... self -explanatory and need not be discussed here. Mode/Systematic Automatically enter ALL time and cost estimates for a survey project. "Time and cost...user can choose between a business reply envelope (BRE) or a self -addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) for returning the surveys. For mail surveys, the

The Utility of Electronic Mail Follow-Ups for Library Research.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roselle, Ann; Neufeld, Steven

1998-01-01

A survey of academic librarians determined that the use of e-mail in the follow-up stage of a library research project using mailed questionnaires was as effective as postal mail in speed and size of response. Discusses additional benefits (interpersonal communication, reduced time and costs) and drawbacks (time spent identifying messages…

Using viral e-mails to distribute tobacco control advertisements: an experimental investigation.

PubMed

Carter, Owen B J; Donovan, Robert; Jalleh, Geoffrey

2011-08-01

The authors' objective was to conduct a trial of viral e-mail marketing as a distribution method for tobacco control advertisements. University students (n = 200) in the state of Western Australia were randomly allocated to receive 1 of 2 e-mails with hyperlinks to tobacco control advertisements ("Toilet" and "Rubbish") emphasizing the disgusting nature of smoking. Recipients followed a hyperlink to a Web page playing Toilet or Rubbish on endless loop. Viewers were encouraged to forward the e-mail to their friends and invited to complete an online survey about the advertisement. Unique downloads for each advertisement were identified by internet provider (IP) location and tallied by date and geographical location to assess subsequent dissemination beyond the initial 200 students. There were 826 unique viewings of the advertisements averaging 26.9 viewings per day for the first fortnight, followed by a lower average of 4.1 hits per day for the next 3.5 months. IP addresses identified hits from 3 other Australian states and 7 other countries. Online surveys were completed by 103 respondents (12.5% of total hits) but included few smokers (n = 9). Significantly more respondents rated Toilet as "funny" compared with Rubbish (40% vs. 11%; p < .05), likely explaining why the former accounted for significantly more viewings than the latter (487 vs. 339; p < .001). There was a greater than fourfold return in dissemination for each initial e-mail sent but daily hits rapidly deteriorated over time. Entertainment appears to facilitate viral e-mails being forwarded onwards but only exceptionally compelling tobacco control materials are ever likely to become self-perpetuating.

Appropriate uses and considerations for online surveying in human dimensions research

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sexton, Natalie R.; Miller, Holly M.; Dietsch, Alia M.

2011-01-01

Online surveying has gained attention in recent years for its applicability to human dimensions research as an efficient and inexpensive data-collection method; however, online surveying is not a panacea. In this article, we provide some guidelines for alleviating or avoiding the criticisms and pitfalls suggested of online survey methods and explore two case studies demonstrating different approaches to online surveying. The first was a mixed-mode study of visitors to 52 participating National Wildlife Refuges. The response rate was 72%, with over half of respondents completing the survey online, resulting in cost-savings and efficiencies that would not have otherwise been realized. The second highlighted an online-only approach targeting specialized users of satellite imagery. Through branching and skipping, the online mode allowed flexibilities in administration impractical in a mail survey. The response rate of 53% was higher than typical for online surveys. Both case studies provide examples of appropriate uses of online surveying.

A Study of the Extent and Effect of English Language Training for Refugees. Phase One: Results of a Comprehensive Mail Survey.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Northwest Regional Educational Lab., Portland, OR. Office of Research and Evaluation Services.

Results of a national mail survey of regional, state, and local agencies administering English language training programs for refugees, the first phase of a larger study of the training programs, are reported. An introductory section outlines the survey and procedure. The responses and statistical analyses are summarized, and some data tables are…

What we don't know can hurt us: Nonresponse bias assessment in birth defects research.

PubMed

Strassle, Paula D; Cassell, Cynthia H; Shapira, Stuart K; Tinker, Sarah C; Meyer, Robert E; Grosse, Scott D

2015-07-01

Nonresponse bias assessment is an important and underutilized tool in survey research to assess potential bias due to incomplete participation. This study illustrates a nonresponse bias sensitivity assessment using a survey on perceived barriers to care for children with orofacial clefts in North Carolina. Children born in North Carolina between 2001 and 2004 with an orofacial cleft were eligible for inclusion. Vital statistics data, including maternal and child characteristics, were available on all eligible subjects. Missing 'responses' from nonparticipants were imputed using assumptions based on the distribution of responses, survey method (mail or phone), and participant maternal demographics. Overall, 245 of 475 subjects (51.6%) responded to either a mail or phone survey. Cost as a barrier to care was reported by 25.0% of participants. When stratified by survey type, 28.3% of mail respondents and 17.2% of phone respondents reported cost as a barrier. Under various assumptions, the bias-adjusted estimated prevalence of cost as barrier to care ranged from 16.1% to 30.0%. Maternal age, education, race, and marital status at time of birth were not associated with subjects reporting cost as a barrier. As survey response rates continue to decline, the importance of assessing the potential impact of nonresponse bias has become more critical. Birth defects research is particularly conducive to nonresponse bias analysis, especially when birth defect registries and birth certificate records are used. Future birth defect studies which use population-based surveillance data and have incomplete participation could benefit from this type of nonresponse bias assessment. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:603-609, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Validation of good agricultural practices (GAP) on Minnesota vegetable farms.

PubMed

Hamilton, Karin E; Umber, Jamie; Hultberg, Annalisa; Tong, Cindy; Schermann, Michele; Diez-Gonzalez, Francisco; Bender, Jeff B

2015-02-01

The United States Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Agriculture jointly published the "Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables," which is used as a basis for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) audits. To understand barriers to incorporation of GAP by Minnesota vegetable farmers, a mail survey completed in 2008 was validated with visits to a subset of the farms. This was done to determine the extent to which actual practices matched perceived practices. Two hundred forty-six producers completed the mail survey, and 27 participated in the on-farm survey. Over 75% of the on-farm survey respondents produced vegetables on 10 acres or less and had 10 or fewer employees. Of 14 questions, excellent agreement between on-farm interviews and mail survey responses was observed on two questions, four questions had poor or slight agreement, and eight questions had no agreement. Ninety-two percent of respondents by mail said "they took measures to keep animals and pests out of packing and storage buildings." However, with the on-site visit only 45% met this requirement. Similarly, 81% of respondents by mail said "measures were taken to reduce the risk of wild and/or domestic animals entering into fruit and vegetable growing areas." With direct observation, 70% of farms actually had taken measures to keep animals out of the growing areas. Additional, on-farm assessments were done regarding employee hygiene, training, presence of animals, water sources, and composting practices. This validation study demonstrated the challenge of creating nonleading and concise questions that are not open to broad interpretation from the respondents. If mail surveys are used to assess GAP, they should include open-ended questions and ranking systems to better assess farm practices. To provide the most accurate survey data for educational purposes or GAP audits, on-farm visits are recommended.

An Analysis of Agricultural Mechanics Safety Practices in Agricultural Science Laboratories.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Swan, Michael K.

North Dakota secondary agricultural mechanics instructors were surveyed regarding instructional methods and materials, safety practices, and equipment used in the agricultural mechanics laboratory. Usable responses were received from 69 of 89 instructors via self-administered mailed questionnaires. Findings were consistent with results of similar…

Principals' Opinions on the Role of Speech-Language Pathologists Serving Students with Communication Disorders Involved in Violence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ritzman, Mitzi J.; Sanger, Dixie

2007-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to survey the opinions of principals concerning the role of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) serving students with communication disorders who have been involved in violence. Method: A mixed methods design involving 678 questionnaires was mailed to elementary, middle, and high school principals in a…

An Investigation of Respondent Confidentiality Concerns in Army Surveys: Data from Ten Focus Groups

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-10-01

Swan, J.E. (1977). Anonymity and responses by salespeople to a mail questionnaire. Journal of Marketing Research , 14, 611-616. Hamel, L., & Reif...Jefferson, R.W. (1975). On the personalization- anonymity relationship in mail surveys--reply. Journal of Marketing Research , 1_3, 112-113. Jones

Bridging the Technology of Telecommunications into Business Communication.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nixon, Judy C.; West Judy F.

A survey of companies using telecommunications equipment investigated the distribution of channel selection and the use of external mail distribution systems. A total of 50 companies responded to the survey, which identified 12 telecommunications systems and seven external mail distribution systems. Results indicated that the four most popular…

Nonresponse Bias to Mail Survey Questionnaires within a Professional Population.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hovland, Eric J.; And Others

1980-01-01

The possible bias resulting from excluding nonresponders in tabulating data from mail survey questionnaires in a dentist population was investigated. The differences between the responders and the nonresponders were analyzed with respect to the dentists' demographic data, attitudes, and knowledge. Nonresponse bias did not affect the results of…

Offline Arabic handwriting recognition: a survey.

PubMed

Lorigo, Liana M; Govindaraju, Venu

2006-05-01

The automatic recognition of text on scanned images has enabled many applications such as searching for words in large volumes of documents, automatic sorting of postal mail, and convenient editing of previously printed documents. The domain of handwriting in the Arabic script presents unique technical challenges and has been addressed more recently than other domains. Many different methods have been proposed and applied to various types of images. This paper provides a comprehensive review of these methods. It is the first survey to focus on Arabic handwriting recognition and the first Arabic character recognition survey to provide recognition rates and descriptions of test data for the approaches discussed. It includes background on the field, discussion of the methods, and future research directions.

Utilizing the Total Design Method in medicine: maximizing response rates in long, non-incentivized, personal questionnaire postal surveys.

PubMed

Kazzazi, Fawz; Haggie, Rebecca; Forouhi, Parto; Kazzazi, Nazar; Malata, Charles M

2018-01-01

Maximizing response rates in questionnaires can improve their validity and quality by reducing non-response bias. A comprehensive analysis is essential for producing reasonable conclusions in patient-reported outcome research particularly for topics of a sensitive nature. This often makes long (≥7 pages) questionnaires necessary but these have been shown to reduce response rates in mail surveys. Our work adapted the "Total Design Method," initially produced for commercial markets, to raise response rates in a long (total: 11 pages, 116 questions), non-incentivized, very personal postal survey sent to almost 350 women. A total of 346 women who had undergone mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction from 2008-2014 (inclusive) at Addenbrooke's University Hospital were sent our study pack (Breast-Q satisfaction questionnaire and support documents) using our modified "Total Design Method." Participants were sent packs and reminders according to our designed schedule. Of the 346 participants, we received 258 responses, an overall response rate of 74.5% with a useable response rate of 72.3%. One hundred and six responses were received before the week 1 reminder (30.6%), 120 before week 3 (34.6%), 225 before the week 7 reminder (64.6%) and the remainder within 3 weeks of the final pack being sent. The median age of patients that the survey was sent to, and the median age of the respondents, was 54 years. In this study, we have demonstrated the successful implementation of a novel approach to postal surveys. Despite the length of the questionnaire (nine pages, 116 questions) and limitations of expenses to mail a survey to ~350 women, we were able to attain a response rate of 74.6%.

Exercise Preference Patterns, Resources, and Environment among Rural Breast Cancer Survivors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rogers, Laura Q.; Markwell, Stephen J.; Courneya, Kerry S.; McAuley, Edward; Verhulst, Steven

2009-01-01

Context: Rural breast cancer survivors may be at increased risk for inadequate exercise participation. Purpose: To determine for rural breast cancer survivors: (1) exercise preference "patterns," (2) exercise resources and associated factors, and (3) exercise environment. Methods: A mail survey was sent to rural breast cancer survivors identified…

Cancer Risk Assessment by Rural and Appalachian Family Medicine Physicians

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kelly, Kimberly M.; Love, Margaret M.; Pearce, Kevin A.; Porter, Kyle; Barron, Mary A.; Andrykowski, Michael

2009-01-01

Context: Challenges to the identification of hereditary cancer in primary care may be more pronounced in rural Appalachia, a medically underserved region. Purpose: To examine primary care physicians' identification of hereditary cancers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was mailed to family physicians in the midwestern and southeastern United…

Predictors of Adolescent Breakfast Consumption: Longitudinal Findings from Project EAT

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bruening, Meg; Larson, Nicole; Story, Mary; Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne; Hannan, Peter

2011-01-01

Objective: To identify predictors of breakfast consumption among adolescents. Methods: Five-year longitudinal study Project EAT (Eating Among Teens). Baseline surveys were completed in Minneapolis-St. Paul schools and by mail at follow-up by youth (n = 800) transitioning from middle to high school. Linear regression models examined associations…

Books to Rural Users: Public Library Provision for Remote Communities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haggis, Sarah; Goulding, Anne

2003-01-01

Discusses alternative methods of providing public library service to one-house stop clients of mobile libraries in the United Kingdom. Investigated books by mail, village shop libraries, extending housebound service, and transporting clients to the library; calculated costs to compare with mobile library cost; and surveyed staff and client…

Reliability and Validity of the Evidence-Based Practice Confidence (EPIC) Scale

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Salbach, Nancy M.; Jaglal, Susan B.; Williams, Jack I.

2013-01-01

Introduction: The reliability, minimal detectable change (MDC), and construct validity of the evidence-based practice confidence (EPIC) scale were evaluated among physical therapists (PTs) in clinical practice. Methods: A longitudinal mail survey was conducted. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were estimated using Cronbach's alpha…

Firearm Anticipatory Guidance Training in Psychiatric Residency Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Price, James H.; Thompson, Amy J.; Khubchandani, Jagdish; Mrdjenovich, Adam J.; Price, Joy A.

2010-01-01

Objective: Most suicides (60%) are committed with firearms, and most (80%) of individuals attempting suicide meet diagnostic criteria for mental illness. This study assessed the prevalence of firearm injury prevention training in psychiatric residency programs. Methods: A three-wave mail survey was sent to the directors of 179 psychiatric…

Sociodemographic and Psychobehavioral Characteristics of US College Students Who Abstain from Alcohol

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huang, Jiun-Hau; DeJong, William; Towvim, Laura Gomberg; Schneider, Shari Kessel

2009-01-01

Objective: The authors examined the sociodemographics and psychobehavioral characteristics of undergraduate US college students who abstain from alcohol. Participants: The respondents were 5,210 undergraduates from 32 colleges and universities. Methods: A survey was mailed to 300 randomly selected students per institution (spring 2000 or 2001).…

Students' and Residents' Perceptions regarding Technology in Medical Training

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Briscoe, Gregory W.; Fore Arcand, Lisa G.; Lin, Terence; Johnson, Joel; Rai, Aanmol; Kollins, Kevin

2006-01-01

Objective: This pilot study provides firsthand feedback from medical students and residents in training regarding their perceptions of technology in medicine. Method: The authors distributed an e-mail invitation to an anonymous Web-based survey to medical students and residents in two different U.S. training institutions. Results: Respondents…

75 FR 3941 - Notice of Information Collection

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-25

... collection and analysis of worldwide safety issues. II. Method of Collection Aviation stakeholders will be... option of printing it and filling it out manually and then returning it via traditional mail, filling it.... III. Data Title: Biennial NextGen Safety Issue Survey. OMB Number: 2700-XXXX. Type of Review: New...

Evaluation of angler reporting accuracy in an off-site survey to estimate statewide steelhead harvest

USGS Publications Warehouse

McCormick, J. L.; Whitney, D.; Schill, D. J.; Quist, Michael C.

2015-01-01

Accuracy of angler-reported data on steelhead, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), harvest in Idaho, USA, was quantified by comparing data recorded on angler harvest permits to the numbers that the same group of anglers reported in an off-site survey. Anglers could respond to the off-site survey using mail or Internet; if they did not respond using these methods, they were called on the telephone. A majority of anglers responded through the mail, and the probability of responding by Internet decreased with increasing age of the respondent. The actual number of steelhead harvested did not appear to influence the response type. Anglers in the autumn 2012 survey overreported harvest by 24%, whereas anglers in the spring 2013 survey under-reported steelhead harvest by 16%. The direction of reporting bias may have been a function of actual harvest, where anglers harvested on average 2.6 times more fish during the spring fishery than the autumn. Reporting bias that is a function of actual harvest can have substantial management and conservation implications because the fishery will be perceived to be performing better at lower harvest rates and worse when harvest rates are higher. Thus, these findings warrant consideration when designing surveys and evaluating management actions.

The Student Survey Report, Spring 1992.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Von Wald, Stephen C.

In winter 1992, a survey was conducted by the Arrowhead Community College Region (Minnesota) to determine why nonreturning full-time students had failed to return to Arrowhead colleges. A questionnaire was mailed to all fall 1991 nonreturning students, followed by a second mailing two weeks later to all non-respondents. Of the 421 nonreturning…

78 FR 25298 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-30

.... Geological Survey, 807 National Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20192 (mail); 703-648- 7195... mail at U.S. Geological Survey, 989 National Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20192... Request: Extension of a currently approved collection. Affected Public: Business or Other-For-Profit...

Rural Life and Farmer Attitudes: An Ohio Survey. Research Circular 260.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Napier, Ted L.; And Others

Using the mailing list of the "Ohio Farmer," a 1979 mail survey assessed attitudes toward land use controls, pollution, and farm living, and examined various agricultural practices of Ohio's farmers (N=623). Farmers were found to have extensive agricultural training in the form of farm work experiences, as well as formal agricultural…

Effect of involvement level on mail panel survey response rates

Treesearch

Mark E. Havitz; Dennis R. Howard

1995-01-01

A panel survey of golfers, skiers and windsurfers was conducted using mail questionnaires which were distributed three times over the course of a calendar year; in-season, off-season, and preseason. Respondents' levels of enduring activity involvement were measured using Laurent and Kapferer's (1985) Involvement Profile scale. No support was found for the...

Diagnostic Testing at UK Universities: An E-Mail Survey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gillard, Jonathan; Levi, Margaret; Wilson, Robert

2010-01-01

In July 2009, an e-mail survey was sent to various UK universities to gain information regarding current practices concerning mathematics diagnostic testing, and to provide an update from the review "Diagnostic Testing for Mathematics" published by the LTSN MathsTEAM Project in 2003. A total of 38 university departments were contacted…

Perceived Barriers to and Facilitators of Patient-to-Provider E-Mail in the Management of Diabetes Care.

PubMed

Popeski, Naomi; McKeen, Caitlin; Khokhar, Bushra; Edwards, Alun; Ghali, William A; Sargious, Peter; White, Debbie; Hebert, Marilynne; Rabi, Doreen M

2015-12-01

1) to describe current utilization of e-mail in the clinical care of patients with diabetes; and 2) to identify barriers to and facilitators of the adoption of e-mail in diabetes care. Participants included diabetes care providers, including 9 physicians and 7 allied health professionals (AHPs). Participation involved, first, completing a self-administered survey to evaluate the use of e-mail within diabetes-related clinical practice. Second, focus group discussions were conducted with diabetes care providers using semistructured interviews to collect data about their perceptions of using e-mail to exchange information with patients diagnosed with diabetes. Patients' perspectives on the use of e-communication with their care providers was also proposed on the basis of the discussions. Significant differences were found between physicians and AHPs concerning questions that were related to the use of e-mail and the amount of time spent using e-mail to communicate to patients. There was perceived function and value to the use of e-mail among AHPs, while few physicians used e-mail routinely and were uncertain about its potential in improving care. Five themes, including barriers, benefits, risks, safeguards and compensation, were developed from the focus group interviews. Currently, most of the physicians surveyed do not e-mail patients directly; however, AHPs frequently use e-mail in diabetes care and find this tool valuable. Variation in practices regarding clinical e-mail across care disciplines suggest that appropriate policy with guidelines for e-mail and e-communication within the health care system may improve uptake of clinical e-mail and perhaps, by extension, improve efficiency and access in diabetes care. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Direct Marketing Promotion and Electronic Cigarette Use Among US Adults, National Adult Tobacco Survey, 2013–2014

PubMed Central

Hao, Jianqiang

2017-01-01

Introduction The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among US adults has increased since 2007. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of direct marketing promotion of e-cigarettes and its association with e-cigarette use among US adults. Methods We used using data from the 2013–2014 National Adult Tobacco Survey (NATS) to estimate prevalence of e-cigarette promotions received by mail or email. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the associations between e-cigarette promotions and the prevalence and frequency of e-cigarette use among US adults. Results In the 2013–2014 survey period, 7.1% of adults (about 16.0 million) reported receiving mail or email e-cigarette promotions in the previous 6 months; 3.2% received mail promotions, and 5.1% received email promotions. A higher prevalence of promotions was found among men versus women, adults aged under 65 years versus those older, current e-cigarette users, current smokers, and people with no smoking restriction rules in their homes or vehicles. In the multivariable analysis, receiving mail or email e-cigarette promotions was associated with higher odds of being current e-cigarette users (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.0; P < .001) than being noncurrent e-cigarette users. Receiving promotions was also associated with higher odds of using e-cigarettes some days (aOR = 1.6; P = .006) or every day (aOR = 1.7; P = .008) than using e-cigarettes rarely. Conclusion Receipt of e-cigarette direct marketing promotions was prevalent among US adults. Receiving e-cigarette promotions was associated with increased odds of both prevalence and frequency of e-cigarette use. Future longitudinal studies are needed to measure causal effects of e-cigarette promotions on e-cigarette use among adults. PMID:28934079

Rapid assessment of agents of biological terrorism: defining the differential diagnosis of inhalational anthrax using electronic communication in a practice-based research network.

PubMed

Temte, Jonathan L; Anderson, Anna Lisa

2004-01-01

Early detection of bioterrorism requires assessment of diagnoses assigned to cases of rare diseases with which clinicians have little experience. In this study, we evaluated the process of defining the differential diagnosis for inhalational anthrax using electronic communication within a practice-based research network (PBRN) and compared the results with those obtained from a nationwide random sample of family physicians with a mailed instrument. We distributed survey instruments by e-mail to 55 physician members of the Wisconsin Research Network (WReN), a regional PBRN. The instruments consisted of 3 case vignettes randomly drawn from a set describing 11 patients with inhalational anthrax, 2 with influenza A, and 1 with Legionella pneumonia. Physicians provided their most likely nonanthrax diagnosis, along with their responses to 4 yes-or-no management questions for each case. Physicians who had not responded at 1 week received a second e-mail with the survey instrument. The comparison group consisted of the nationwide sample of physicians who completed mailed survey instruments. Primary outcome measures were response rate, median response time, and frequencies of diagnostic categories assigned to cases of inhalational anthrax. The PBRN response rate compared favorably with that of the national sample (47.3% vs 37.0%; P = not significant). The median response time for the PBRN was significantly shorter than that for the national sample (2 vs 28 days; P < .001). No significant differences were found between the PBRN and the Midwest subset of the national sample in the frequencies of major diagnostic categories or in case management. Electronic means of creating differential diagnoses for rare infectious diseases of national significance is feasible within PBRNs. Information is much more rapidly acquired and is consistent with that obtained by conventional methods.

Physicians' use of and attitudes toward electronic mail for patient communication.

PubMed

Gaster, Barak; Knight, Christopher L; DeWitt, Dawn E; Sheffield, John V L; Assefi, Nassim P; Buchwald, Dedra

2003-05-01

To assess physicians' use of and attitudes toward electronic mail (e-mail) for patient communication, we conducted a mail-in survey of physicians who see patients in outpatient clinics affiliated with a large academic medical center (N = 283). Seventy-two percent of physicians reported using e-mail to communicate with patients, averaging 7.7 e-mails from patients per month. The lowest level of use was by community-based primary care physicians (odds ratio, 0.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.08 to 0.59). Those physicians who reported using e-mail with patients reported high satisfaction with its use. Although physicians were concerned about the confidentiality of e-mail, few discussed this issue with patients.

Oropharyngeal dysphagia: surveying practice patterns of the speech-language pathologist.

PubMed

Martino, Rosemary; Pron, Gaylene; Diamant, Nicholas E

2004-01-01

The present study was designed to obtain a comprehensive view of the dysphagia assessment practice patterns of speech-language pathologists and their opinion on the importance of these practices using survey methods and taking into consideration clinician, patient, and practice-setting variables. A self-administered mail questionnaire was developed following established methodology to maximize response rates. Eight dysphagia experts independently rated the new survey for content validity. Test-retest reliability was assessed with a random sample of 23 participants. The survey was sent to 50 speech-language pathologists randomly selected from the Canadian professional association database of members who practice in dysphagia. Surveys were mailed according to the Dillman Total Design Method and included an incentive offer. High survey (64%) and item response (95%) rates were achieved and clinicians were reliable reporters of their practice behaviors (ICC>0.60). Of all the clinical assessment items, 36% were reported with high (>80%) utilization and 24% with low (<20%) utilization, the former pertaining to tongue motion and vocal quality after food/fluid intake and the latter to testing of oral sensation without food. One-third (33%) of instrumental assessment items were highly utilized and included assessment of bolus movement and laryngeal response to bolus misdirection. Overall, clinician experience and teaching institutions influenced greater utilization. Opinions of importance were similar to utilization behaviors (r = 0.947, p = 0.01). Of all patients referred for dysphagia assessment, full clinical assessments were administered to 71% of patients but instrumental assessments to only 36%. A hierarchical model of practice behavior is proposed to explain this pattern of progressively decreasing item utilization.

Opening a Conversation between Department Chairs: Possibilities for the U.S. and Australia.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wolverton, Mimi; And Others

This study identified and compared the environmental pressures and work-related stresses that impact the chairs of academic departments at universities in Australia and the United States. Surveys were mailed to every department chair at all 40 Australian universities (1680 chairs) with a 51 percent response rate. Surveys were also mailed to a…

Online Survey Research: A Venue for Reflective Conversation and Professional Development.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heflich, David A.; Rice, Margaret L.

Educational research has long been conducted at a distance: both mail and telephone have successfully been used in survey research. The development of the Internet offers yet another medium over which research can be conducted. This study discusses the use of electronic mail as a vehicle for conducting educational research. It focuses particularly…

Annoyance survey by means of social media.

PubMed

Silva, Bruno; Santos, Gustavo; Eller, Rogeria; Gjestland, Truls

2017-02-01

Social surveys have been the conventional means of evaluating the annoyance caused by transportation noise. Sampling and interviewing by telephone, mail, or in person are often costly and time consuming, however. Data collection by web-based survey methods are less costly and may be completed more quickly, and hence, could be conducted in countries with fewer resources. Such methods, however, raise issues about the generalizability and comparability of findings. These issues were investigated in a study of the annoyance of aircraft noise exposure around Brazil's Guarulhos Airport. The findings of 547 interviews obtained with the aid of Facebook advertisements and web-based forms were analysed with respect to estimated aircraft noise exposure levels at respondents' residences. The results were analysed to assess whether and how web-based surveys might yield generalizable noise dose-response relationships.

Managing Chronic Conditions in College: Findings from Prompted Health Incidents Diaries

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ravert, Russell D.; Russell, Luke T.; O'Guin, Monica B.

2017-01-01

Objective: This pilot study assessed an electronic health diary method designed to collect data about critical health incidents experienced by college students who have chronic health conditions. Participants: Nine university students with chronic medical conditions were recruited to complete a series of e-mail-based surveys, sent once every…

Barriers to Maternal Workforce Participation and Relationship between Paid Work and Health

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bourke-Taylor, H.; Howie, L.; Law, M.

2011-01-01

Background: Families of children with disabilities experience extra financial strains, and mothers are frequently unable to participate in paid work because of caregiving obligations. Methods: A mailed survey and follow-up phone calls were used to gather data about mother's health, workforce participation and barriers to inclusion in the workplace…

78 FR 66899 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Commercial Fisheries Seafood Processor Survey

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-07

... Act of 1996 (and reauthorized in 2007), NMFS is required to enumerate the economic impacts of the... allow analysts to estimate the economic contributions and impacts of marine fish processing to each... paper forms. Methods of submittal include email of electronic forms, and mail and facsimile transmission...

Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners as a Usual Source of Care

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Everett, Christine M.; Schumacher, Jessica R.; Wright, Alexandra; Smith, Maureen A.

2009-01-01

Purpose: To identify characteristics and outcomes of patients who use physician assistants and nurse practitioners (PA/NPs) as a usual source of care. Methods: Cross sectional analysis using the telephone and mail surveys of the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS), a prospective cohort study of Wisconsin high school graduates and selected siblings…

Provider, Patient, and Family Perspectives of Adolescent Alcohol Use and Treatment in Rural Settings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gordon, Adam J.; Ettaro, Lorraine; Rodriguez, Keri L.; Mocik, John; Clark, Duncan B.

2011-01-01

Purpose: We examined rural primary care providers' (PCPs) self-reported practices of screening, brief interventions, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) on adolescent alcohol use and examined PCPs', adolescents', and parents' attitudes regarding SBIRT on adolescent alcohol use in rural clinic settings. Methods: In 2007, we mailed surveys that…

A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Professional Opinion Scale

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Greeno, Elizabeth J.; Hughes, Anne K.; Hayward, R. Anna; Parker, Karen L.

2007-01-01

The Professional Opinion Scale (POS) was developed to measure social work values orientation. Objective: A confirmatory factor analysis was performed on the POS. Method: This cross-sectional study used a mailed survey design with a national random (simple) sample of members of the National Association of Social Workers. Results: The study…

A Study of Vocational Trainers' Professional Satisfaction in Taiwan Republic of China.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fang, Rong-Jyue

Vocational trainers at 15 vocational training centers in Taiwan were surveyed by mail to determine if the satisfaction of the trainers was related to in-service experience, age, job title, method of teaching, education level, factory experience, and teacher training. Other variables in the study included vocational training administration,…

Confirmatory Factor Analysis on the Professional Suitability Scale for Social Work Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tam, Dora M. Y.; Twigg, Robert C.; Boey, Kam-Wing; Kwok, Siu-Ming

2013-01-01

Objective: This article presents a validation study to examine the factor structure of an instrument designed to measure professional suitability for social work practice. Method: Data were collected from registered social workers in a provincial mailed survey. The response rate was 23.2%. After eliminating five cases with multivariate outliers,…

Mental Health and Clinical Correlates in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Young Adults

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grant, Jon E.; Odlaug, Brian L.; Derbyshire, Katherine; Schreiber, Liana R. N.; Lust, Katherine; Christenson, Gary

2014-01-01

Objective: This study examined the prevalence of mental health disorders and their clinical correlates in a university sample of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) students. Participants: College students at a large public university. Methods: An anonymous, voluntary survey was distributed via random e-mail generation to university students…

Organizational Support and Volunteering Benefits for Older Adults

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tang, Fengyan; Choi, Eunhee; Morrow-Howell, Nancy

2010-01-01

Purpose: This study tested a theoretical model of volunteering benefits and examined the mechanism through which volunteering benefits older adults. Design and Methods: This is a 2-wave study of 253 older adult volunteers serving in 10 volunteer programs. Older volunteers completed the mailed surveys in 2005 and 2006. Structural equation modeling…

Training in Psychiatric Genomics during Residency: A New Challenge

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winner, Joel G.; Goebert, Deborah; Matsu, Courtenay; Mrazek, David A.

2010-01-01

Objective: The authors ascertained the amount of training in psychiatric genomics that is provided in North American psychiatric residency programs. Methods: A sample of 217 chief residents in psychiatric residency programs in the United States and Canada were identified by e-mail and surveyed to assess their training in psychiatric genetics and…

Congruence of Standard Setting Methods for a Nursing Certification Examination.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fabrey, Lawrence J.; Raymond, Mark R.

The American Nurses' Association certification provides professional recognition beyond licensure to nurses who pass an examination. To determine the passing score as it would be set by a representative peer group, a survey was mailed to a random sample of 200 recently certified nurses. Three questions were asked: (1) what percentage of examinees…

Assessment and Remediation for Physicians with Suspected Performance Problems: An International Survey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Humphrey, Charlotte

2010-01-01

Introduction: Little is known about the overall appropriateness and value of the various programs available internationally for assessment and remediation for individual physicians whose performance in their clinical practice has been identified as giving cause for concern. Method: A questionnaire was e-mailed to members of the International…

E-Mail Communication Practices and Preferences Among Patients and Providers in a Large Comprehensive Cancer Center.

PubMed

Cook, Natalie; Maganti, Manjula; Dobriyal, Aditi; Sheinis, Michal; Wei, Alice C; Ringash, Jolie; Krzyzanowska, Monika K

2016-07-01

Little is known about how electronic mail (e-mail) is currently used in oncology practice to facilitate patient care. The objective of our study was to understand the current e-mail practices and preferences of patients and physicians in a large comprehensive cancer center. Separate cross-sectional surveys were administered to patients and physicians (staff physicians and clinical fellows) at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with current e-mail use. Record review was performed to assess the impact of e-mail communication on care. The survey was completed by 833 patients. E-mail contact with a member of the health care team was reported by 41% of respondents. The team members contacted included administrative assistants (52%), nurses (45%), specialist physicians (36%), and family physicians (18%). Patient factors associated with a higher likelihood of e-mail contact with the health care team included younger age, higher education, higher income, enrollment in a clinical trial, and receipt of multiple treatments. Eighty percent of physicians (n = 63 of 79) reported previous contact with a patient via e-mail. Physician factors associated with a greater likelihood of e-mail contact with patients included older age, more senior clinical position, and higher patient volume. Nine hundred sixty-two patient records were reviewed, with e-mail correspondence documented in only 9% of cases. E-mail is commonly used for patient care but is poorly documented. The use of e-mail in this setting can be developed with appropriate guidance; however, there may be concerns about widening the gap between certain groups of patients. Copyright © 2016 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Antibiotic prophylaxis practice patterns for cataract surgery in India - Results from an online survey.

PubMed

Kelkar, Aditya S; Chang, David F; Kelkar, Jai A; Mehta, Hetal M; Lahane, Tatyarao; Parekh, Ragini

2017-12-01

The aim of this study is to assess the current antibiotic prophylaxis practice patterns for cataract surgery in India. This was a questionnaire-based E-survey carried out at a tertiary eye care center in India. An E-mail invitation to complete an online 20 point questionnaire survey was sent to all members of the All India Ophthalmological Society with valid E-mail addresses using a digital E-mail service. Duplicate entries were prevented. Out of 1228 total respondents (8.2%) who completed the survey 38% reported using routine intracameral (IC) antibiotic prophylaxis. Another 7% place antibiotics in the irrigating solution. Of those using IC antibiotic prophylaxis, 91% adopted this practice within the past 2 years; 92% are using moxifloxacin with 56% using a commercially available moxifloxacin formulation. Those predominantly performing phacoemulsification (43% vs. 25% performing mostly manual small incision cataract surgery, P < 0.001) and more than 500 cataract surgeries annually (45% vs. 33%, P < 0.001) reported greater use of IC moxifloxacin. Self-reported endophthalmitis rates were statistically significantly greater in those not using IC antibiotics (0.045% vs. 0.036, P = 0.04). Although a majority of respondents believe that IC antibiotics are an important option (54%) and that it is important to have a commercially available solution (68%), many believe that other antibiotic prophylaxis methods are sufficient (31%). IC antibiotic prophylaxis for cataract surgery has sharply increased in India. In contrast to the West, intraocular moxifloxacin, which is commercially available in India, is preferred by the vast majority of users.

The Role of E-Mail Communications in Determining Response Rates and Mode of Participation in a Mixed-Mode Design

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cernat, Alexandru; Lynn, Peter

2018-01-01

This article is concerned with the extent to which the propensity to participate in a web face-to-face sequential mixed-mode survey is influenced by the ability to communicate with sample members by e-mail in addition to mail. Researchers may be able to collect e-mail addresses for sample members and to use them subsequently to send survey…

Detoxification in Naturopathic Medicine: A Survey

PubMed Central

Montalto, Melissa; Lovejoy, Jennifer; Weber, Wendy

2011-01-01

Abstract Objectives This study sought to assess the use of clinical detoxification therapies used by licensed naturopathic doctors (NDs) in the United States. Design This was a qualitative, descriptive, online survey of a convenience sample of NDs. Methods An online survey was conducted of NDs who were licensed in the United States. Responses were analyzed descriptively regarding the use of clinical detoxification therapies. Respondents were recruited from a membership list provided by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, and from alumni e-mail lists of Council of Naturopathic Medical Education accredited naturopathic medical schools. Results Surveys were sent out to 1442 e-mail addresses (261 were returned to sender); a total of 196 respondents completed the survey (16.6%). Ninety-two percent (92%) of respondents reported using clinical detoxification therapies. Over 75% of respondents utilized detoxification therapies primarily to treat patients for environmental exposures, general cleansing/preventive medicine, gastrointestinal disorders, and autoimmune disease. Regarding methods used, >75% reported using dietary measures, reducing environmental exposures, and using botanicals as detoxification therapies. Eighty-three percent (83%) of NDs surveyed reported using follow-up measurements to determine efficacy of detoxification therapies. The most common were patient symptom questionnaires (66%), patient medical histories (54%), and urinary provocative challenge testing (53%). Conclusions The majority of NDs responding to this survey reported routine use of clinical detoxification therapies to treat a range of medical conditions utilizing multiple therapeutic approaches. Although the majority of NDs reported using some follow-up measurements after detoxification therapy, few of these are an objective means to determine treatment efficacy. Further research is needed in the field of complementary and alternative medicine clinical detoxification to determine the safety and efficacy of these approaches. PMID:22103982

Physicians' Use of and Attitudes Toward Electronic Mail for Patient Communication

PubMed Central

Gaster, Barak; Knight, Christopher L; DeWitt, Dawn E; Sheffield, John V L; Assefi, Nassim P; Buchwald, Dedra

2003-01-01

To assess physicians' use of and attitudes toward electronic mail (e-mail) for patient communication, we conducted a mail-in survey of physicians who see patients in outpatient clinics affiliated with a large academic medical center (N = 283). Seventy-two percent of physicians reported using e-mail to communicate with patients, averaging 7.7 e-mails from patients per month. The lowest level of use was by community-based primary care physicians (odds ratio, 0.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.08 to 0.59). Those physicians who reported using e-mail with patients reported high satisfaction with its use. Although physicians were concerned about the confidentiality of e-mail, few discussed this issue with patients. PMID:12795738

The Missing Link: Workplace Education in Small Business.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

BCEL Newsletter for the Business & Literacy Communities, 1992

1992-01-01

A study sought to determine how and why small businesses invest or do not invest in basic skills instruction for their workers. Data were gathered through a national mail and telephone survey of a random sampling of 11,000 small (50 or fewer employees) and medium-sized (51-400 employees) firms, a targeted mail survey of 4,317 manufacturers, a…

Management of Psychosocial Distress by Oncologists

PubMed Central

Muriel, Anna C.; Hwang, Vivian S.; Kornblith, Alice; Greer, Joseph; Greenberg, Donna B.; Temel, Jennifer; Schapira, Lidia; Pirl, William

2010-01-01

Objective Little is known about the nature of psychosocial care delivered by oncologists. The goal of this study was to survey oncologists about their management of psychosocial distress, referencing the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Methods A random sample of 1,000 oncologists were sent an e-mail requesting their participation in an online survey; nonrespondents were sent the survey through postal mail. Regression analyses were conducted to identify independent predictors of care. Results Forty-six percent (448 of 965) of oncologists responded. Practice locations included: community (63%), cancer center (25%), and hospital (7%). Respondents estimated that over one-third of their patients (mean± SD=38%±22%) experience psychosocial distress warranting intervention, although only 225 of 447 (50%) indicated having mental health services affiliated with their practice. Nearly half (212 of 447, 47%) reported only initiating a referral for psychosocial services, and 214 of 447 (48%) reported both making a referral and starting psychiatric medications, mainly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and benzodiazepines. Conclusions Most oncologists delivered some level of psychosocial care, although only half had affiliated mental health services. PMID:19648204

Using the Internet for Surveys and Health Research

PubMed Central

Eysenbach, Gunther; Wyatt, Jeremy

2002-01-01

This paper concerns the use of the Internet in the research process, from identifying research issues through qualitative research, through using the Web for surveys and clinical trials, to pre-publishing and publishing research results. Material published on the Internet may be a valuable resource for researchers desiring to understand people and the social and cultural contexts within which they live outside of experimental settings, with due emphasis on the interpretations, experiences, and views of `real world' people. Reviews of information posted by consumers on the Internet may help to identify health beliefs, common topics, motives, information, and emotional needs of patients, and point to areas where research is needed. The Internet can further be used for survey research. Internet-based surveys may be conducted by means of interactive interviews or by questionnaires designed for self-completion. Electronic one-to-one interviews can be conducted via e-mail or using chat rooms. Questionnaires can be administered by e-mail (e.g. using mailing lists), by posting to newsgroups, and on the Web using fill-in forms. In "open" web-based surveys, selection bias occurs due to the non-representative nature of the Internet population, and (more importantly) through self-selection of participants, i.e. the non-representative nature of respondents, also called the `volunteer effect'. A synopsis of important techniques and tips for implementing Web-based surveys is given. Ethical issues involved in any type of online research are discussed. Internet addresses for finding methods and protocols are provided. The Web is also being used to assist in the identification and conduction of clinical trials. For example, the web can be used by researchers doing a systematic review who are looking for unpublished trials. Finally, the web is used for two distinct types of electronic publication. Type 1 publication is unrefereed publication of protocols or work in progress (a `post-publication' peer review process may take place), whereas Type 2 publication is peer-reviewed and will ordinarily take place in online journals. PMID:12554560

Speech-Language Pathologist Job Satisfaction in School versus Medical Settings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kalkhoff, Nicole L.; Collins, Dana R.

2012-01-01

Purpose: The goal of this study was to determine if job satisfaction differs between speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working in school settings and SLPs working in medical settings. Method: The Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS) by Spector (1997) was sent via electronic mail to 250 SLPs in each of the 2 settings. Job satisfaction scores were…

School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists' Knowledge and Perceptions of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Bullying

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ofe, Erin E.; Plumb, Allison M.; Plexico, Laura W.; Haak, Nancy J.

2016-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of the current investigation was to examine speech-language pathologists' (SLPs') knowledge and perceptions of bullying, with an emphasis on autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Method: A 46-item, web-based survey was used to address the purposes of this investigation. Participants were recruited through e-mail and electronic…

Comparison of Burnout among Medical Residents before and after the Implementation of Work Hours Limits

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martini, Shahm; Arfken, Cynthia L.; Balon, Richard

2006-01-01

Objective: The authors assess whether implementation of work hour limits is associated with a lower prevalence of medical resident burnout. Method: A survey was mailed to medical residents in different medical specialties at one university. Results: Somewhat lower burnout prevalence was reported among residents after implementation of work hour…

Location of Food Stores Near Schools Does Not Predict the Weight Status of Maine High School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harris, David E.; Blum, Janet Whatley; Bampton, Matthew; O'Brien, Liam M.; Beaudoin, Christina M.; Polacsek, Michele; O'Rourke, Karen A.

2011-01-01

Objective: To examine the relationship between stores selling calorie-dense food near schools and student obesity risk, with the hypothesis that high availability predicts increased risk. Methods: Mail surveys determined height, weight, and calorie-dense food consumption for 552 students at 11 Maine high schools. Driving distance from all food…

Academic Librarians and Graduate Students: An Exploratory Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baruzzi, Andrea; Calcagno, Theresa

2015-01-01

Graduate students are a significant part of a university's research population who may begin their studies without all of the skills they need to be successful. The authors conducted a convenience survey, sent to five library e-mail lists, to explore if librarians interact with graduate students and what methods they use to do so. Results show…

Current Offerings in Six Specified Subjects in Accredited (and the Largest Unaccredited ) Schools and Departments of Journalism.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Collins, Erik L.; Rarick, Galen R.

This survey was conducted to determen the extent of course offerings by the accredited and the largest unaccredited journalism programs in the areas of nonverbal communications, research methods for working journalists, media economics and management, major issues in contemporary society, the urban community, and new technology. Two mailings and…

What Do Psychiatric Residents Think of Addiction Psychiatry as a Career?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Renner, John A., Jr.; Karam-Hage, Maher; Levinson, Marjorie; Craig, Thomas; Eld, Beatrice

2009-01-01

Objective: The authors attempt to better understand the recent decline in the number of applicants to addiction psychiatry training. Methods: The Corresponding Committee on Training and Education in Addiction Psychiatry of APA's Council on Addiction Psychiatry sent out a 14-question anonymous e-mail survey to all postgraduate-year 2 (PGY-2)…

Do Master's in Social Work Programs Teach Empirically Supported Interventions? A Survey of Deans and Directors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Woody, Jane D.; D'Souza, Henry J.; Dartman, Rebecca

2006-01-01

Objective: A questionnaire to examine efforts toward the teaching of empirically supported interventions (ESI) was mailed to the 165 deans and directors of Council on Social Work Education-accredited Master's in social work (MSW) programs; 66 (40%) responded. Method: Questions included program characteristics and items assessing both faculty and…

Deaf and hard of hearing Americans' instant messaging and e-mail use: a national survey.

PubMed

Bowe, Frank G

2002-10-01

An online survey of 884 deaf and hard of hearing adults asked about their current and past use of communication technologies, notably TTY, telecommunications relay services, e-mail, and instant messaging (IM). Results showed that respondents were using e-mail and IM far more than TTY and relay services. The study participants virtually all had e-mail and IM at home. In fact, about one quarter had a high-speed ("broadband") connection at home. While the vast majority also had and used e-mail at work, just 1 in 3 had IM at his or her place of employment. The findings have several implications. Most important for educators is that strong reading and writing skills are essential if adults who are deaf or hard of hearing are to take advantage of today's communications technologies. Another conclusion is that some workers who are deaf or hard of hearing appear to face discrimination in employment because office policies forbid the use of a highly effective reasonable accommodation, instant messaging.

Identification of the Skills Needed by Workers in Various Segments of the Mountain States Graphic Communications Industry.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dharavath, H. Naik

The skills needed now and 5 years from now by workers in the graphic communications industry in New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming were identified through a mail survey of mountain states printing companies. Of the 478 companies to which surveys were mailed, 64 were returned (response rate, 13.40%). A paired t-test was conducted to identify…

Efficacy of a mail survey appeal for a dissertation.

PubMed

Gaski, John F

2004-12-01

Of all the determinants of mail survey response investigated, a dissertation as the purpose is one type of appeal not used in a covering letter. Two parallel field experiments involving populations of wholesale organizations (N=743 and 509) are reported in which such an appeal was tested. Lack of statistically significant findings indicates use of this appeal did not enhance response rate or quality.

Experiences of patients who were early adopters of electronic communication with their physician: satisfaction, benefits, and concerns.

PubMed

Houston, Thomas K; Sands, Daniel Z; Jenckes, Mollie W; Ford, Daniel E

2004-09-01

To explore the experiences of patients who were early adopters of e-mail communication with their physicians. Patients' experiences were assessed with an Internetbased survey of 1881 individuals and in-depth telephone follow-up interviews with 56 individuals who used e-mail to communicate with providers. Two investigators qualitatively coded interview comments independently, with differences adjudicated by group consensus. A total of 311 (16.5%) of the 1881 individuals reported using electronic mail to communicate with their physicians. Compared with the population-based Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, users of e-mail with physicians were twice as likely to have a college education, were younger, were less frequently ethnic minorities, and more frequently reported fair/poor health. Among the 311 patients who used e-mail with their physicians, the most frequent topics were results of laboratory testing and prescription renewals. However, many of the 311 users (21%) also reported using asynchronous e-mail inappropriately to convey urgent or sensitive issues (suicidality, chest pain, etc). Almost all (95%) perceived that e-mail was more efficient than the telephone. Important benefits uncovered from the interviews were that some patients felt more emboldened to ask questions in e-mail compared with face-to-face communication with doctors, and liked the ability to save the e-mail messages. Users also expressed concerns about privacy. Patients that use electronic communication with their physicians find the communication efficient for disease management. Further patient education about inappropriate use of e-mail for urgent issues is needed.

Recent Research on Mailed Questionnaire Response Rates.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baumgartner, Robert M.; Heberlein, Thomas A.

1984-01-01

Forty studies of mailed surveys are reviewed in terms of 11 variables which affect response rates: sponsorship, respondents, salience, follow-up contacts, incentives, length, anonymity, personalization, deadline, types of appeals, and postage. (BW)

Use of computerized interview scheduling program for pediatric surgery match applicants.

PubMed

Stephens, Caroline Q; Hamilton, Nicholas A; Thompson, Ann E; Krishnaswami, Sanjay

2017-06-01

Pediatric surgery fellowship applicants and programs coordinate over 20 interviews per cycle. We hypothesized that replacing e-mail and phone communication with a computerized-scheduling program (CSP) could benefit both parties. We used a CSP to schedule 2016 interviews. Time to schedule and e-mail communication per applicant was compared to 2015, when traditional scheduling was used. Additionally, 2016 interviewees were surveyed about their experience with the CSP vs. traditional means. Analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and a Student's T-test. We found a significant decrease in mean scheduling time from 14.4 to 1.7h (p<0.001) and in e-mails exchanged from 3.4 to 1.0 (p<0.0001). Survey respondents reported 92% satisfaction with the CSP, and 87% found it easier to schedule interviews. Applicants also reported quicker finalization of interview dates (96%), improved access to interview slots (71%), and easier coordination of additional services and time off (63%). Notably, the mean longest time reported to schedule interviews using traditional methods was 7days (range 1-30). Overall, 84% supported widespread adoption of CSPs. Using CSPs improved the scheduling process for the significant majority of interviewees, and our program. If widely adopted, this could greatly improve the efficiency of pediatric surgery interview scheduling. N/A. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Use of an online survey during an outbreak of clostridium perfringens in a retirement community-Arizona, 2012.

PubMed

Yasmin, Seema; Pogreba-Brown, Kristen; Stewart, Jennifer; Sunenshine, Rebecca

2014-01-01

An outbreak of gastrointestinal (GI) illness among retirement community residents was reported to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health. Online surveys can be useful for rapid investigation of disease outbreaks, especially when local health departments lack time and resources to perform telephone interviews. Online survey utility among older populations, which may lack computer access or literacy, has not been defined. To investigate and implement prevention measures for a GI outbreak and assess the utility of an online survey among retirement community residents. A retrospective cohort investigation was conducted using an online survey distributed through the retirement community e-mail listserv; a follow-up telephone survey was conducted to assess computer literacy and Internet access. A case was defined as any GI illness occurring among residents during March 1-14, 2012. A barbecue in a retirement community of 3000 residents. Retirement community residents. Residents were directed to discard leftover food and seek health care for symptoms. A telephone survey was conducted to assess the utility of online surveys in this population. Computer literacy and Internet access of retirement community residents. Of 1000 residents on the listserv, 370 (37%) completed the online survey (mean age, 69.7 years; 60.6% women); 66 residents (17.8%) reported a GI illness after the barbecue, 63 (95.5%) reported diarrhea, and 5 (7.6%) reported vomiting. Leftover beef from an attendee's refrigerator grew Clostridium perfringens. Of 552 residents contacted by telephone, 113 completed the telephone survey (mean age, 71.3 years; 63.3% women), 101 (89.4%) reported the ability to send e-mail, 82 (81.2%) checked e-mail daily, and 28 (27.7%) checked e-mail on a handheld device. The attack rate was 17.8% for online versus 2.7% for telephone respondents (P < .001). This outbreak demonstrated the utility of an online survey to rapidly collect information and implement prevention measures among an older demographic.

How New Subscribers Use Cancer-Related Online Mailing Lists

PubMed Central

Lyons, Elizabeth J; Ribisl, Kurt M; Bowling, J Michael; Golin, Carol E; Forlenza, Michael J; Meier, Andrea

2005-01-01

Background Online cancer-related support is an under-studied resource that may serve an important function in the information seeking, care, and support of cancer patients and their families. With over 9.8 million cancer survivors (defined as anyone living with cancer) in the United States alone and the number growing worldwide, it is important to understand how they seek and use online resources to obtain the information they need, when they need it, and in a form and manner appropriate to them. These are stated cancer communication goals of the US National Cancer Institute. Objectives Our purposes are to (1) present background information about online mailing lists and electronic support groups, (2) describe the rationale and methodology for the Health eCommunities (HeC) study, and (3) present preliminary baseline data on new subscribers to cancer-related mailing lists. In particular, we describe subscribers' use of mailing lists, their reasons for using them, and their reactions to participating shortly after joining the lists. Methods From April to August 2004, we invited all new subscribers to 10 Association of Cancer Online Resources mailing lists to complete Web-based surveys. We analyzed baseline data from the respondents to examine their perceptions about cancer-related mailing lists and to describe how cancer patients and survivors used these lists in the period shortly after joining them. Results Cumulative email invitations were sent to 1368 new mailing list subscribers; 293 Web surveys were completed within the allotted time frame (21.4% response rate). Most respondents were over age 50 (n = 203, 72%), white (n = 286, 98%), college graduates (n = 161, 55%), and had health insurance (n = 283, 97%). About 41% (n = 116) of new subscribers reported spending 1 to 3 hours per day reading and responding to list messages. They used the mailing lists for several reasons. Among the most frequently reported, 62% (n = 179) strongly agreed they used mailing lists to obtain information on how to deal with cancer, 42% (n = 121) strongly agreed they used mailing lists for support, and 37% (n = 109) strongly agreed that they were on the mailing lists to help others. Smaller proportions of new subscribers strongly agreed that others on the mailing lists had similar cancer experiences (n = 23, 9%), that they could relate to the experiences of others on the lists (n = 66, 27%), and that others on the list gave them good ideas about how to cope with cancer (n = 66, 27%). Conclusions Cancer-related online mailing lists appear to be an important resource, especially for information seeking but also for support of cancer survivors. These were the primary motivators most members reported for joining mailing lists. The modest proportion of subscribers who strongly agreed that they could relate to others' cancer experiences (as well as similar responses to other process questions) is undoubtedly due at least in part to the short duration that these subscribers were involved with the mailing lists. Emerging data, including our own, suggest that mailing lists are perhaps under-used by minority patients/survivors. These preliminary data add to a growing body of research on health-related online communities, of which online mailing lists are one variant. PMID:15998623

Alaska birch crafts and gifts: marketing practices and demographics.

Treesearch

Rosemarie Braden; David Nicholls

2004-01-01

Craft and gift producers in Alaska who use birch as a primary species were surveyed via mail, telephone calls, and site visits. Forty-two usable mail surveys were obtained for a response rate of 38.5 percent. Firms were in business an average of 13 years and utilized an average of 4,778 board feet of birch per year to produce a variety of craft items, including turned...

Statistics of the MASIV 5 GHZ VLA Scintillation Survey

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-10-01

76, Epping, NSW, Australia, E-mail: david.jauncey@csiro.au James Lovell : School of Mathematics & Physics, University of Tasmania, GPO Box 252...Technology, Pasadena CA 91125, E-mail: jpm@astro.caltech.edu Hayley Bignall: Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe, Postbus 2, 7900 AA Dwingeloo, The...369, 449 [7] Lovell , J. E. J., et al., First Results from MASIV: The Microarcsecond Scintillation- induced Variability Survey, 2003, AJ, 126, 1699

Randomised controlled comparison of the Health Survey Short Form (SF-12) and the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) in telephone interviews versus self-administered questionnaires. Are the results equivalent?

PubMed

Lungenhausen, Margitta; Lange, Stefan; Maier, Christoph; Schaub, Claudia; Trampisch, Hans J; Endres, Heinz G

2007-11-22

The most commonly used survey methods are self-administered questionnaires, telephone interviews, and a mixture of both. But until now evidence out of randomised controlled trials as to whether patient responses differ depending on the survey mode is lacking. Therefore this study assessed whether patient responses to surveys depend on the mode of survey administration. The comparison was between mailed, self-administered questionnaires and telephone interviews. A four-armed, randomised controlled two-period change-over design. Each patient responded to the same survey twice, once in written form and once by telephone interview, separated by at least a fortnight. The study was conducted in 2003/2004 in Germany. 1087 patients taking part in the German Acupuncture Trials (GERAC cohort study), who agreed to participate in a survey after completing acupuncture treatment from an acupuncture-certified family physician for headache, were randomised. Of these, 823 (664 women) from the ages of 18 to 83 (mean 51.7) completed both parts of the study. The main outcome measure was the comparison of the scores on the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) and the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) questionnaire for the two survey modes. Computer-aided telephone interviews (CATI) resulted in significantly fewer missing data (0.5%) than did mailed questionnaires (2.8%; p < 0.001). The analysis of equivalence revealed a difference between the survey modes only for the SF-12 mental scales. On average, reported mental status score was 3.5 score points (2.9 to 4.0) lower on the self-administered questionnaire compared to the telephone interview. The order of administration affected results. Patients who responded to the telephone interview first reported better mental health in the subsequent paper questionnaire (mean difference 2.8 score points) compared to those who responded to the paper questionnaire first (mean difference 4.1 score points). Despite the comparatively high cost of telephone interviews, they offer clear advantages over mailed self-administered questionnaires as regards completeness of data. Only items concerning mental status were dependent on the survey mode and sequence of administration. Items on physical status were not affected. Normative data for standardized telephone questionnaires could contribute to a better comparability with the results of the corresponding standardized paper questionnaires.

A mail survey of United States hematologists and oncologists: a comparison of business reply versus stamped return envelopes.

PubMed

Streiff, M B; Dundes, L; Spivak, J L

2001-04-01

Mailed surveys are a popular means of obtaining data on large populations. In July 1999 a mail survey was conducted among 3000 randomly selected members of the American Society of Hematology to assess their approach to diagnosis and treatment of polycythemia vera. Because the researchers and the study population are members of the same professional organization with a vested interest in the results, we anticipated that the advantages of return stamped postage seen in previous studies would be less significant. The response rate for stamped return envelopes was 38% versus 32% for business reply envelopes. This statistically significant difference (P =.0005) of six percentage points is comparable to previous research. Excluding labor, the total cost per returned survey was $2.62 for business reply envelopes versus $1.82 for stamped return envelopes. We conclude that stamped return envelopes are a more effective and cost-efficient means of procuring data from physician specialists.

75 FR 54647 - Revision of Information Collection; Non-Use Valuation Survey, Klamath Basin; Correction and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-08

... two mailing groups, at a 10/90 split. The first wave of mailings will be to 10% of the households. 17... second wave of mailings will be to the remaining 90% of the households. 17% of households are estimated... information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the...

Digital dental radiology in Belgium: a nationwide survey.

PubMed

Snel, Robin; Van De Maele, Ellen; Politis, Constantinus; Jacobs, Reinhilde

2018-06-27

The aim of this study is to analyse the use of digital dental radiology in Belgium, by focussing on the use of extraoral and intraoral radiographic techniques, digitalisation and image communication. A nationwide survey has been performed amongst Belgian general dentists and dental specialists. Questionnaires were distributed digitally via mailings lists and manually on multiple refresher courses and congresses throughout the country. The overall response rate was 30%. Overall, 94% of the respondents had access to an intraoral radiographic unit, 76% had access to a panoramic unit, 21% has an attached cephalometric arm. One in five Belgian dentists also seem to have direct access to a cone beam CT. 90% of all intraoral radiography unit worked with digital detectors, while this was 91% for panoramic units (with or without cephalometrics). In 70% of the cases, general dental practitioners with a digital intraoral unit used a storage phosphor plate while in 30% of the cases they used sensor technology (charge-coupled device or complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor). The most common method for professional image transfer appeared to be email. Finally, 16% of all respondents used a calibrated monitor for image analysis. The survey indicates that 90% of the respondents, Belgian dentists, make use of digital image techniques. For sharing images, general dental practitioners mainly use methods such as printout and e-mail. The usage of calibrated monitors, however, is not well established yet.

Comparing Self-Rated Health, Satisfaction and Quality of Life Scores between Diabetics and Others Living in the Bella Coola Valley

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grigg, Angela; Thommasen, Harvey V.; Tildesley, Hugh; Michalos, Alex C.

2006-01-01

Objective: To investigate the relative effect that diabetes has on self-rated health, satisfaction with various specific domains of life, and satisfaction with quality of life operationalized as happiness, satisfaction with life as a whole, and satisfaction with overall quality of life. Design: Mixed methods--mailed survey and chart review. Study…

Bridging the Gap between Evidence and Practice: A Multi-Perspective Examination of Real-World Drug Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stead, Martine; Stradling, Robert; MacNeil, Morag; MacKintosh, Anne Marie; Minty, Sarah; McDermott, Laura; Eadie, Douglas

2010-01-01

Aims: The study examined normative school drug-education practice in Scotland and the extent to which it reflected the evidence base for effective drug education. Methods: Current guidance in Scotland was compared with systematic review evidence on drug-education effectiveness; a survey was mailed to primary, secondary and special schools (928…

The Asian Indians and the American Challenge. An Occasional Paper Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mohapatra, Manindra Kumar

In the last 20 years, social science researchers have used a variety of methods to investigate the Asian Indian sub-culture in the United States. A national mail survey of over 200 Asian Indians uncovered a number of facts. The income, education, home ownership, and occupational profile of the sample projected an affluent image of the Asian Indian…

Consumer Support for Policies to Reduce the Sodium Content in School Cafeterias

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Patel, Sheena M.; Gunn, Janelle P.; Merlo, Caitlin L.; Tong, Xin; Cogswell, Mary E.

2014-01-01

Purpose/Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess consumer support for policies lowering the sodium content of cafeteria foods in schools. Methods: Data were used from 9,634 adults aged >18 years who responded to questions about sodium in general and in school foods in a 2010 national mail panel survey. Prevalence of consumer…

Importance and Satisfaction of Preventive Health Strategies in Institutions for People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Perspective of Institutional Directors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, J. D.; Yen, C. F.; Wu, J. L.

2005-01-01

Aim: To explore the perceptions of institutional directors on the preventive health strategies for people with intellectual disabilities in institutions. Methods: A structured questionnaire was conducted by a cross-sectional postal survey in all registered institutions in Taiwan in 2002. A total of 157 questionnaires were mailed, of which 121…

Quality assurance in Australian hospitals: who does it and how?

PubMed

Renwick, M; Harvey, R

1990-01-01

To seek information on the type, method and extent of quality assurance being undertaken in all public and private hospitals within Australia. Mailed questionnaire. There was a predominance of two types of review being undertaken. Some important deficiencies in the quality assurance process were identified. Far more private than public hospitals reviewed medical records and surveyed patient satisfaction.

Communication technology in trauma centers: a national survey.

PubMed

Xiao, Yan; Kim, Young-Ju; Gardner, Sharyn D; Faraj, Samer; MacKenzie, Colin F

2006-01-01

The relationship between information and communication technology (ICT) and trauma work coordination has long been recognized. The purpose of the study was to investigate the type and frequency of use of various ICTs to activate and organize trauma teams in level I/II trauma centers. In a cross-sectional survey, questionnaires were mailed to trauma directors and clinicians in 457 trauma centers in the United States. Responses were received from 254 directors and 767 clinicians. Communication with pre-hospital care providers was conducted predominantly via shortwave radio (67.3%). The primary communication methods used to reach trauma surgeons were manual (56.7%) and computerized group page (36.6%). Computerized group page (53.7%) and regular telephone (49.8%) were cited as the most advantageous devices; e-mail (52.3%) and dry erase whiteboard (52.1%) were selected as the least advantageous. Attending surgeons preferred less overhead paging and more cellular phone communication than did emergency medicine physicians and nurses. Cellular phones have become an important part of hospital-field communication. In high-volume trauma centers, there is a need for more accurate methods of communicating with field personnel and among hospital care providers.

Eat Smart! Ontario's Healthy Restaurant Program: a survey of participating restaurant operators.

PubMed

Macaskill, Lesley A; Dwyer, John J M; Uetrecht, Connie L; Dombrow, Carol

2003-01-01

Eat Smart! Ontario's Healthy Restaurant Program is a standard provincial health promotion program. Public health units grant an award of excellence to restaurants that meet designated standards in nutrition, food safety, and non-smoking seating. The purpose of this study was to assess whether program objectives for participating restaurant operators were achieved during the first year of program implementation, and to obtain operators' recommendations for improving the program. Dillman's tailored design method was used to design a mail survey and implement it among participating operators (n = 434). The design method, which consisted of four mail-outs, yielded a 74% response rate. Fifty percent of respondents operated family-style or quick-service restaurants, and 82% of respondents learned about the program from public health inspectors. Almost all respondents (98%) participated in the program mainly to have their establishments known as clean and healthy restaurants, 65% received and used either point-of-purchase table stands or postcards to promote the program, and 98% planned to continue participating. The respondents' suggestions for improving the program were related to the award ceremony and program materials, media promotion, communication, education, and program standards. Program staff can use the findings to enhance the program.

Traffic and safety management needs in Virginia.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1979-01-01

A survey questionnaire was developed to identify traffic operations and safety management needs in Virginia. Form A of the questionnaire was mailed to 79 traffic engineering practitioners throughout Virginia and Form B was mailed to 78 law enforcemen...

Biking practices and preferences in a lower income, primarily minority neighborhood: Learning what residents want.

PubMed

Lusk, Anne C; Anastasio, Albert; Shaffer, Nicholas; Wu, Juan; Li, Yanping

2017-09-01

This paper examines if, in a lower-income minority neighborhood, bicycling practices and bicycle-environment preferences of Blacks and Hispanics were different from Whites. During the summer of 2014, surveys were mailed to 1537 households near a proposed cycle track on Malcolm X Boulevard in Roxbury, MA. On the Boulevard, intercept surveys were distributed to cyclists and observations noted about passing cyclist's characteristics. Data were analyzed from 252 returned-mailed surveys, 120 intercept surveys, and 709 bicyclists. White (100%), Hispanic (79%), and Black (76%) bicyclists shown pictures of 6 bicycle facility types in intercept surveys perceived the cycle track as safest. More White mailed-survey respondents thought bikes would not be stolen which may explain why more Hispanics (52%) and Blacks (47%) preferred to park their bikes inside their home compared with Whites (28%), with H/W B/W differences statistically significant ( p  < 0.05). More Hispanic (81%) and Black (54%) mailed-survey respondents thought they would bicycle more if they could bicycle with family and friends compared with Whites (40%). Bicyclists observed commuting morning and evening included Blacks (55%), Whites (36%) and Hispanics (9%). More Whites (68%) wore helmets compared with Hispanics (21%) and Blacks (17%) ( p  < 0.001). More Blacks (94%) and Hispanics (94%) rode a mountain bike compared with Whites (75%). Minority populations are biking on roads but prefer cycle tracks. They also prefer to park bikes inside their homes and bicycle with family and friends. Wide cycle tracks (bicycling with family/friends) and home bike parking should be targeted as capital investments in lower-income minority neighborhoods.

Pediatric Gastroenterology Workforce Survey, 2003-2004.

PubMed

2005-04-01

The North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) performed a workforce survey to determine the number, distribution, and work-related activities of pediatric gastroenterologists in the United States of America (USA) and Canada, and compared these findings with the first workforce survey completed in 1996. The survey queried pediatric gastroenterologists in the USA and Canada between November, 2003 and June 2004. To permit the optimal comparison to the 1996 survey data, the original survey was used as a template for development of the current instrument and, when possible, the questions were left unchanged. Additional questions were added to address important contemporary issues not present in the initial survey. Limited income information was also collected. The survey was posted on the NASPGHAN website, and the NASPGHAN membership was notified of the survey by electronic mail via its electronic mail distribution list. This was followed by a three-part postal mail survey to all non-respondents. After the Internet and postal mail requests, all non-respondent physicians were telephoned a minimum of three times. If unsuccessful in contacting the physicians directly, office personnel were queried to facilitate survey completion regarding the provision of pediatric gastroenterology, nutrition or hepatology services in either clinical care or research. The response rate based on the potential contact list for Part I of the survey was 69%. The final phone call or electronic mail contact of an office staff member with questions regarding gender and delivery of pediatric gastroenterology services yielded a total contact rate of 88%. There were 699 pediatric gastroenterologists identified in North America, as compared with 672 in 1996. If known non-respondents are included, there could be as many as 794 pediatric gastroenterologists. Time spent in clinical activities increased from 60% to 66% in the USA and from 43% to 53% in Canada. The use of nurse practitioners and physician assistants has increased considerably over the past 7 years. Fifty-three percent of respondents feel there are too few pediatric gastroenterologists. Fifty percent of section and practice heads report that they are currently recruiting partners. Limited income information is presented. There is currently a self-perceived shortage of pediatric gastroenterologists as compared with 7 years ago, despite a constant proportion of pediatric gastroenterologists per million children. In the USA, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are being increasingly used to fill this need, and physicians in both Canada and the USA have increased the time they spend in clinical care.

Utilization of communication technology by patients enrolled in substance abuse treatment

PubMed Central

McClure, Erin A.; Acquavita, Shauna; Harding, Emily; Stitzer, Maxine

2012-01-01

Background Technology-based applications represent a promising method for providing efficacious, widely available interventions to substance abuse treatment patients. However, limited access to communication technology (i.e., mobile phones, computers, internet, and e-mail) could significantly impact the feasibility of these efforts, and little is known regarding technology utilization in substance abusing populations. Methods A survey was conducted to characterize utilization of communication technology in 266 urban, substance abuse treatment patients enrolled at eight drug-free, psychosocial or opioid-replacement therapy clinics. Results Survey participants averaged 41 years of age and 57% had a yearly household income of less than $15,000. The vast majority reported access to a mobile phone (91%), and to SMS text messaging (79%). Keeping a consistent mobile phone number and yearly mobile contract was higher for White participants, and also for those with higher education, and enrolled in drug-free, psychosocial treatment. Internet, e-mail, and computer use was much lower (39–45%), with younger age, higher education and income predicting greater use. No such differences existed for the use of mobile phones however. Conclusions Concern regarding the digital divide for marginalized populations appears to be disappearing with respect to mobile phones, but still exists for computer, internet, and e-mail access and use. Results suggest that mobile phone and texting applications may be feasibly applied for use in program-client interactions in substance abuse treatment. Careful consideration should be given to frequent phone number changes, access to technology, and motivation to engage with communication technology for treatment purposes. PMID:23107600

A Test of Web and Mail Mode Effects in a Financially Sensitive Survey of Older Americans

PubMed Central

Hsu, Joanne W.

2018-01-01

This study leverages a randomized experimental design of a mixed-mode mail- and web-based survey to examine mode effects separately from sample selectivity issues. Using data from the Cognitive Economics Study, which contains some sensitive financial questions, we analyze two sets of questions: fixed-choice questions posed nearly identically across mode, and dollar-value questions that exploit features available only on web mode. Focusing on differences in item nonresponse and response distributions, our results indicate that, in contrast to mail mode, web mode surveys display lower item nonresponse for all questions. While respondents appear to prefer providing financial information in ranges, use of reminder screens on the web version yields greater use of exact values without large sacrifices in item response. Still, response distributions for all questions are similar across mode, suggesting that data on sensitive financial questions collected from the two modes can be pooled.

Women among Physics & Astronomy Faculty: Results from the 2010 Survey of Physics Degree-Granting Departments. Focus On

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ivie, Rachel; White, Susan; Garrett, Arnell; Anderson, Garrett

2013-01-01

Between March and July 2010, each of the 796 departments that awarded at least a bachelor's degree in physics or astronomy were contacted by e-mail, mail, and certified mail. Follow-up contacts were made for departments that had not yet responded. Responses were received from 744 departments (93%). The percentage of women among physics…

Mass Communication and Journalism Faculty and Their Electronic Communication with College Students: A Nationwide Examination

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brunner, Brigitta R.; Yates, Bradford L.; Adams, Jennifer Wood

2008-01-01

Nearly 700 U.S. journalism and mass communication faculty reported their perceptions of student e-mail use via a Web-based survey. This nationwide study focused on content of e-mail received by faculty and made comparisons based on faculty gender. Nearly half of the respondents reported that they occasionally receive e-mails from students before a…

Effect of survey instrument on participation in a follow-up study: a randomization study of a mailed questionnaire versus a computer-assisted telephone interview

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Many epidemiological and public health surveys report increasing difficulty obtaining high participation rates. We conducted a pilot follow-up study to determine whether a mailed or telephone survey would better facilitate data collection in a subset of respondents to an earlier telephone survey conducted as part of the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. Methods We randomly assigned 392 eligible mothers to receive a self-administered, mailed questionnaire (MQ) or a computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) using similar recruitment protocols. If mothers gave permission to contact the fathers, fathers were recruited to complete the same instrument (MQ or CATI) as mothers. Results Mothers contacted for the MQ, within all demographic strata examined, were more likely to participate than those contacted for the CATI (86.6% vs. 70.6%). The median response time for mothers completing the MQ was 17 days, compared to 29 days for mothers completing the CATI. Mothers completing the MQ also required fewer reminder calls or letters to finish participation versus those assigned to the CATI (median 3 versus 6), though they were less likely to give permission to contact the father (75.0% vs. 85.8%). Fathers contacted for the MQ, however, had higher participation compared to fathers contacted for the CATI (85.2% vs. 54.5%). Fathers recruited to the MQ also had a shorter response time (median 17 days) and required fewer reminder calls and letters (median 3 reminders) than those completing the CATI (medians 28 days and 6 reminders). Conclusions We concluded that offering a MQ substantially improved participation rates and reduced recruitment effort compared to a CATI in this study. While a CATI has the advantage of being able to clarify answers to complex questions or eligibility requirements, our experience suggests that a MQ might be a good survey option for some studies. PMID:22849754

Investigating moral intensity with the World-Wide Web: a look at participant reactions and a comparison of methods.

PubMed

Frey, B F

2000-08-01

This paper reports the results of a vignette- and questionnaire-based research project over the World-Wide Web investigating the influence of moral intensity (MI) on decision making in a business context. A qualitative analysis of the feedback in terms of e-mail communications was used to provide insights into the reactions and responses of participants to both the research method and the topic of research. Implications are discussed, and some methodological recommendations are derived. Second, analysis of the quantitative results of the Web-based questionnaire administration indicated that three of the six MI components were particularly important determinants of several outcome variables. This pattern of results essentially replicated findings yielded by a previous mail administration of the survey, even though a smaller amount of variation in the outcome variables was accounted for. Neither occupational background nor the region of origin of participants measurably influenced the results.

Workplace compliance with a no-smoking law: a randomized community intervention trial.

PubMed Central

Rigotti, N A; Bourne, D; Rosen, A; Locke, J A; Schelling, T C

1992-01-01

BACKGROUND. Compliance with state and local laws restricting smoking in public places and workplaces has not been systematically evaluated. METHODS. We assessed workplace compliance with a comprehensive no-smoking law adopted in Brookline, Mass, and tested whether mailing information to businesses increased awareness of and compliance with the law. We conducted a random sample telephone survey of 299 businesses (87% response rate). Self-reported compliance was validated by direct observations. RESULTS. One year after its adoption, the law was popular with businesses. The prevalence of smoking restrictions, smoking policies, and no-smoking signs was 80%, 59%, and 40%, respectively. One third of businesses banned smoking. Full compliance with the law was low, however, because few businesses posted a copy of their smoking policy as required. The mailing increased employers' awareness of the law. Employers sent the mailing also reported better compliance, but this was not confirmed by direct observations. CONCLUSIONS. The law was popular and contributed to a high prevalence of workplace smoking restrictions. Different interpretations of the law by policymakers and businesses seemed to explain why formal compliance was low. The mailing increased awareness of, but not compliance with, the law. PMID:1739153

Predictors of Response Rates to a Long Term Follow-Up Mail out Survey

PubMed Central

Koloski, Natasha A.; Jones, Michael; Eslick, Guy; Talley, Nicholas J.

2013-01-01

Objective Very little is known about predictors of response rates to long-term follow-up mail-out surveys, including whether the timing of an incentive affects response rates. We aimed to determine whether the timing of the incentive affects response rates and what baseline demographic and psychological factors predict response rates to a 12 year follow-up survey. Study design and setting: Participants were 450 randomly selected people from the Penrith population, Australia who had previously participated in a mail-out survey 12 years earlier. By random allocation, 150 people received no incentive, 150 received a lottery ticket inducement with the follow-up survey and 150 received a lottery ticket inducement on the return of a completed survey. Results The overall response rate for the study was 63%. There were no significant differences in terms of response rates between the no incentive (58.8%;95%CI 49.8%,67.3%), incentive with survey (65.1%;95%CI 56.2%,73.3%) and promised incentive (65.3%;95%CI 56.1%,73.7%) groups. Independent predictors of responding to the 12 year survey were being older (OR=1.02, 95%CI 1.01,1.05,P=0.001) and being less neurotic as reported on the first survey 12 years earlier (OR=0.92, 95%CI 0.86,0.98, P=0.010). Conclusions Psychological factors may play a role in determining who responds to long-term follow-up surveys although timing of incentives does not. PMID:24223902

Deaf people communicating via SMS, TTY, relay service, fax, and computers in Australia.

PubMed

Power, Mary R; Power, Des; Horstmanshof, Louise

2007-01-01

Despite the expansion of Deaf people's use of communication technology little is published about how they use electronic communication in their social and working lives and the implications for their concepts of identity and community. Australia is an ideal research base because the use of a range of technologies is widespread there. To gain access to a wide age range of people who identify as Deaf, members of the national organization, the Australian Association of the Deaf, were surveyed by mail. Results showed that Short Message Service (SMS), telephone typewriters (TTY), voice/TTY relay services, fax, and e-mail were used regularly. Deaf users are discerning of the purposes for which they use each method: SMS for social and personal interactions, TTY for longer communications and (via the relay service) with people and services without TTYs, fax for business and social contact, and computers for personal and business e-mails as well as Web browsing, accessing chat rooms, word processing, games, and study.

Satisfaction Data Collected by E-mail and Smartphone for Emergency Department Patients: How Do Responders Compare With Nonresponders?

PubMed

Strickler, Jeffery C; Lopiano, Kenneth K

2016-11-01

This study profiles an innovative approach to capture patient satisfaction data from emergency department (ED) patients by implementing an electronic survey method. This study compares responders to nonresponders. Our hypothesis is that the cohort of survey respondents will be similar to nonresponders in terms of the key characteristics of age, gender, race, ethnicity, ED disposition, and payor status. This study is a cross-sectional design using secondary data from the database and provides an opportunity for univariate analysis of the key characteristics for each group. The data elements will be abstracted from the database and compared with the same key characteristics from a similar sample from the database on nonresponders to the ED satisfaction survey. Age showed a statistically significant difference between responders and nonresponders. Comparison by disposition status showed no substantial difference between responders and nonresponders. Gender distribution showed a greater number of female than male responders. Race distribution showed a greater number and response by white and Asian patients as compared with African Americans. A review of ethnicity showed fewer Hispanics responded. An evaluation by payor classification showed greater number and response rate by those with a commercial or Workers Comp payor source. The response rate by Medicare recipients was stronger than expected; however, the response rate by Medicaid recipients and self-pay could be a concern for underrepresentation by lower socioeconomic groups. Finally, the evaluation of the method of notification showed that notification by both e-mail and text substantially improved response rates. The evaluation of key characteristics showed no difference related to disposition, but differences related to age, gender, race, ethnicity, and payor classification. These results point to a potential concern for underrepresentation by lower socioeconomic groups. The results showed that notification by both e-mail and text substantially improved response rates.

Opioid Prescribing Education in Surgical Residencies: A Program Director Survey.

PubMed

Yorkgitis, Brian K; Bryant, Elizabeth; Raygor, Desiree; Brat, Gabriel; Smink, Douglas S; Crandall, Marie

Opioid abuse and misuse is a public health crisis. A national effort to reduce this phenomenon is ongoing. Residents represent a large pool of opioid prescribers but, are often not the target for opioid prescribing education (OPE). We developed a survey to assess current opioid prescribing practices and education among surgical residents. An Institutional Review Board and Association of Program Directors in Surgery approved survey was electronically mailed to surgical program directors (PDs). The survey included questions regarding residency type, location, number of graduates per year, perceived value of OPE, residency policy on prescribing outpatients controlled substances, presence of OPE, and preferred method of OPE. A total of 248 PDs were e-mailed the survey with 110 complete responses (44.4%). Of all 104 (94.5%) allow residents to prescribe outpatient opioids with 24 (23.1%) limiting the opioid class prescribed. A total of 29 (27.9%) programs require residents to obtain their own Drug Enforcement Administration registration. Only 22 (20.0%) programs had in place mandatory OPE, 7 (6.4%) PDs were unsure if OPE was a mandatory educational requirement. Furthermore, 70 (79.5%) of programs currently without OPE are considering adding it. Didactic lecture (18, 81.8%) is the most common modality for OPE. The mode time dedicated to OPE was 1 hour. When PDs were asked about which method would be best to deliver OPE, the most common response was case-based scenarios (39, 35.5%). Bivariate statistics were performed and no association was found between OPE and program characteristics'. Most surgical residency programs allow residents to prescribe outpatient opioids, very few require OPE. The most common method of OPE was didactic lectures. To enhance a resident's knowledge in prescribing opioids, programs should incorporate OPE into their curriculum. Copyright © 2017 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

76 FR 24901 - Request for Input To Inform a Possible Surgeon General Action on Prescription Drug Abuse in Youth

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-03

... ``nonmedical'' use, a term employed by many of the National Surveys. This definition does not include use for... response. To date, the work group has received expert input on the state of the science for addressing... submitted by any one of the following methods: Mail: Anna Staton, M.P.A., Office of Science Policy and...

Analysis of four recruitment methods for obtaining normative data through a Web-based questionnaire: a pilot study.

PubMed

Nolte, Michael T; Shauver, Melissa J; Chung, Kevin C

2015-09-01

Quality normative data requires a diverse sample of participants and plays an important role in the appropriate use of health outcomes. Using social media and other online resources for survey recruitment is a tempting prospect, but the effectiveness of these methods in collecting a diverse sample is unknown. The purpose of this study is to pilot test four methods of recruitment to determine their ability to produce a sample representative of the general US population. This project is part of a larger study to gather normative data for the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ). We used flyers, e-mail, Facebook, and an institution-specific clinical research recruitment Web site to direct participants to complete an online version of the MHQ. Participants also provided comorbidity and demographic information. The institution-specific recruitment Web site yielded the greatest number of respondents in an age distribution that mirrored the US population. Facebook was effective for recruiting young adults, and e-mail was successful for recruiting the older adults. None of the methods was successful in reaching an ethnically diverse sample. Obtaining normative data that is truly representative of the US population is a difficult task. The use of any one recruitment method is unlikely to result in a representative sample, but a greater understanding of these methods will empower researchers to use them to target specific populations. This pilot analysis provides support for the use of Facebook and clinical research sites in addition to traditional methods of e-mail and paper flyers.

[Use of internet and electronic resources among Spanish intensivist physicians. First national survey].

PubMed

Gómez-Tello, V; Latour-Pérez, J; Añón Elizalde, J M; Palencia-Herrejón, E; Díaz-Alersi, R; De Lucas-García, N

2006-01-01

Estimate knowledge and use habits of different electronic resources in a sample of Spanish intensivists: Internet, E-mail, distribution lists, and use of portable electronic devices. Self-applied questionnaire. A 50-question questionnaire was distributed among Spanish intensivists through the hospital marketing delegates of a pharmaceutical company and of electronic forums. A total of 682 questionnaires were analyzed (participation: 74%). Ninety six percent of those surveyed used Internet individually: 67% admitted training gap. Internet was the second source of clinical consultations most used (61%), slightly behind consultation to colleagues (65%). The pages consulted most were bibliographic databases (65%) and electronic professional journals (63%), with limited use of Evidence Based Medicine pages (19%). Ninety percent of those surveyed used e-mail regularly in the practice of their profession, although 25% admitted that were not aware of its possibilities. The use of E-mail decreased significantly with increase in age. A total of 62% of the intensivists used distribution lists. Of the rest, 42% were not aware of its existence and 32% admitted they had insufficient training to handle them. Twenty percent of those surveyed had portable electronic devices and 64% considered it useful, basically due to its rapid consultation at bedside. Female gender was a negative predictive factor of its use (OR 0.35; 95% CI 0.2-0.63; p=0.0002). A large majority of the Spanish intensivists use Internet and E-mail. E-mail lists and use of portable devices are still underused resources. There are important gaps in training and infrequent use of essential pages. There are specific groups that require directed educational policies.

Reconnecting with urban youth enrolled in a randomized controlled trial and overdue for a 12-month follow-up survey

PubMed Central

Ezell, Jerel M.; Saltzgaber, Jacquelyn; Peterson, Edward; Joseph, Christine LM

2013-01-01

Background Retention of study participants in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is crucial to study validity. Purpose We analyzed the result of four retention strategies used to reconnect with urban teens enrolled in a school-based randomized controlled trial (RCT) and overdue for a 12-month follow-up survey. Methods Traditional retention strategies used to reconnect with teens categorized as “unable to contact” were weekly re-dials of non-working telephone numbers and mailings to the student’s home. Non-traditional retention strategies were obtaining assistance from school administration and communication through Facebook. Results Of the 422 students enrolled, 125 (29.5%) were overdue for a 12-month follow-up survey, but had no working telephone number (unable to contact). We made 196 attempts to contact these 125 students, of which 82 attempts (41.8%) were successful in “reconnecting,” defined as (1) a student contacting research staff as a result of a mailed notice; (2) a research staff member leaving a voicemail at a previously disconnected telephone number; (3) a student responding to Facebook outreach; or (4) research staff obtaining a new telephone number and talking to a person at the new telephone number. We used “ mailed reminder letters” as the referent category, in our analysis. Odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the association between the strategy used and success (“reconnecting”) for telephone number re-dials, Facebook, and school administration assistance were 4.60 (1.8–11.8), 1.94 (1.01–3.73), and 2.91 (0.58–14.50), respectively. Limitations Retention strategies were not applied hierarchically or systematically across students, and we were unable to ascertain student preference for a particular strategy. In addition, our findings may be applicable only to study populations with characteristics similar to those of students included in this study. Conclusion Overall, of the 422 students who enrolled in the study, 380 (90%), ultimately completed the 12-month follow-up survey. A mix of traditional retention strategies, such as telephone number re-dials, and more contemporary methods, such as use of Facebook, were effective in reconnecting with urban teenagers enrolled in a school-based RCT, and controlling attrition during the 12-month follow-up survey period. PMID:23983157

Internet use and e-mail communications between patients and providers: a survey of rheumatology outpatients.

PubMed

Siva, Chokkalingam; Smarr, Karen L; Hanson, Kathleen Donovan; Parikh, Meghal; Lawlor, Kenneth; Ge, Bin

2008-12-01

As health care costs rise in the United States and elsewhere, adopting health information technology is being advocated to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Physician e-mail communication is a frequently proposed tool in this strategy. We examined the interest of rheumatology outpatients in using E-mail for communication with their rheumatologist. We sought to identify their privacy and cost concerns on this issue, and examine the patients' demographics, internet usage, and preferences. An anonymous survey was given to 150 consecutive patients. Patients responded to questions on demographics, rheumatic diseases, comorbidities, computer/internet access, E-mail use, privacy concerns, payment issues, and preferences regarding communication with their rheumatologist. Statistical analyses on the relationships between demographics and patient preferences on communications with their rheumatologist were conducted. There were 145 respondents; the mean age was 52.3 years, mean education level was 13.6 years. The sample tended to be women (74%), retired/disabled (46%) or employed full time (35%). Most had internet access (74.5%). Differences were found based on gender, age, education, and income levels. Younger adults were more likely to desire E-mail communication with their rheumatologists, especially if paid by insurance. More men than women had concerns about privacy; persons with higher income levels were more willing to self-pay for E-mail. As a significant number of patients with rheumatic diseases express interest in E-mail communication with their providers, rheumatologists need to be cognizant of patients' preferences. To deliver patient-centered care, rheumatology practices might consider incorporating E-mail communication into their practices.

Depression Case Finding Strategies in a Care Management Program for Chronically Ill Medicare Recipients

PubMed Central

Jennifer, Taylor; Michael, Schoenbaum; Katon Wayne, J; Pincus Harold, A; Diane, Hogan; Jürgen, Unützer

2013-01-01

Objective To examine case-finding strategies for depression in the context of a disease management program for chronically ill Medicare recipients. Study Design Observational analysis of telephone/mail surveys and claims data collected for the Medicare Health Support (MHS) program. Methods This study examines data from 14,902 participants with diabetes and/or congestive heart failure in the MHS program administered by Green Ribbon Health.. Depression screening was performed by administering a 2-item screener (PHQ-2) by telephone or mail. Additional information about depression was drawn from ICD-9 depression diagnoses from claims and self-reported use of antidepressant medications. We compared screener positive rates for depression on the PHQ-2 administered by telephone or mail, examined variations in screener positives by care manager, and compared rates of positive screens to antidepressant use and claims diagnoses of depression. Results Nearly 14 % of participants received an ICD-9 diagnosis of depression in the year prior to program enrollment; 7% reported taking antidepressants, and 5 % screened positive on the PHQ-2. Substantial variation in positive depression screens by care manager was found that could not be explained by case mix, prior depression diagnoses or current depression treatment. After adjusting for demographic and clinical differences, the PHQ2 positive rate was 6.5% by phone and 14.1% by mail screen (p<0.001). Conclusion A combined depression screening approach with mail screening (using the PHQ-2) augmented by information about antidepressant use and claims diagnoses of depression may be the most cost-effective method to identify depression in a large sample of medically ill Medicare recipients. PMID:18690765

Coordination and safety procedures for mail delivery on roadways without shoulders : technical report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-08-01

This research utilized interviews, focus groups, and surveys of U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) employees to determine safety and coordination issues related to mail delivery on rural, two-lane highways witho...

Mail-order pharmacy experience of veterans living with AIDS/HIV.

PubMed

Desai, Karishma Rohanraj; Chewning, Betty; Wilcox, Andrew; Safdar, Nasia

2018-02-01

The VA system is the largest single provider of healthcare in the United States and to individuals infected with HIV specifically. High quality medication management is particularly important since HIV is a chronic infectious condition which requires taking multiple medications with strict requirements for adherence to medication regimens. Veterans Administration (VA) patients are required to obtain all chronic medications using the VA mail-order pharmacy system. Drawing on Donabedian's Quality Improvement framework, this study sought to examine experiences that Veterans with HIV have with the Veterans Administration medication mail-order system, and to explore opportunities for quality improvement. A sequential, explanatory mixed-methods design was used to interview Veterans receiving care at a Midwestern Veterans Administration Hospital using a mail-order experience survey followed by in-depth interviews. All 57 Veterans, out of 72, who were successfully contacted consented to participate. Overall, Veterans evaluated the mail-order service positively and valued the accuracy (correct medication delivery). However, a notable problem emerged with respect to assuring access to HIV medications with about half (47%) indicating running out of HIV medication. Respondents identified structural issues with respect to days covered by mailed medications (90 versus current 30 days) and process issues with scheduling new refills. Veterans also indicated the information sheets were too long, complex and not helpful for their queries. Patients were open to pharmacists playing an active role during clinic visits and felt this would help manage their conditions better. Veterans generally reported that the VA Mail-order service was of high quality. However, some findings indicate there are opportunities to improve this service to be more patient-centered particularly for vulnerable HIV patients. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Optimization of territory control of the mail carrier by using Hungarian methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Supian, S.; Wahyuni, S.; Nahar, J.; Subiyanto

2018-03-01

In this paper, the territory control of the mail carrier from the central post office Bandung in delivering the package to the destination location was optimized by using Hungarian method. Sensitivity analysis against data changes that may occur was also conducted. The sampled data in this study are the territory control of 10 mail carriers who will be assigned to deliver mail package to 10 post office delivery centers in Bandung. The result of this research is the combination of territory control optimal from 10 mail carriers as follows: mail carrier 1 to Cikutra, mail carrier 2 to Ujung Berung, mail carrier 3 to Dayeuh Kolot, mail carrier 4 to Padalarang, mail carrier 5 to Situ Saeur, mail carrier 6 to Cipedes, mail carrier 7 to Cimahi, mail carrier 8 to Soreang, mail carrier 9 to Asia-Afrika, mail carrier 10 to Cikeruh. Based on this result, manager of the central post office Bandung can make optimal decisions to assign tasks to their mail carriers.

Understanding Nonresponse to the 2007 Medicare CAHPS Survey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Klein, David J.; Elliott, Marc N.; Haviland, Amelia M.; Saliba, Debra; Burkhart, Q.; Edwards, Carol; Zaslavsky, Alan M.

2011-01-01

Purpose: The Medicare Consumer Assessments of Healthcare Providers and Systems (MCAHPS) survey, a primarily English-language mail survey with English and Spanish telephone follow-up, is the primary means of assessing the health care experiences of American seniors. We examine unit (whole survey) and item nonresponse for this survey to explore…

Port Site Metastases: A Survey of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology and Commentary on the Clinical Workup and Management of Port Site Metastases.

PubMed

Baptiste, Caitlin D; Buckley de Meritens, Alexandre; Jones, Nathaniel L; Chatterjee Paer, Sudeshna; Tergas, Ana I; Hou, June Y; Wright, Jason D; Burke, William M

Laparoscopic port site metastases (PSMs) have an incidence of .5% to 2%. The management of an isolated PSM (iPSM), without evidence of recurrence elsewhere, remains unclear. The aim of this study was to elucidate practices regarding iPSMs. A 23-item survey was created using commercially available survey software. Over the course of January 2016 the survey was e-mailed to the members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology with 2 follow-up reminder e-mails. (Canadian Task Force classification III.) SETTING: Online survey. Of the 709 surveys sent, 132 were returned. Providers practicing for <5 years saw fewer PSMs and those who performed more minimally invasive surgeries (MISs) saw more PSMs. Comparing providers who have or have not seen PSMs, no differences in pneumoinsufflation pressure, the mode of delivery of the specimen, the use of local anesthesia at port site incisions, or the method of deflation were seen. If an iPSM was suspected, most providers indicated they would obtain imaging (computed tomography, 51%, or positron emission tomography/computed tomography, 43%) followed by an interventional radiology-guided biopsy (29%) or resection of the mass. Tendency for treatment is to surgically resect the lesion followed by adjuvant therapy. After controlling for time in practice, we did not find a strong risk factor for iPSMs other than performing >75% of oncologic surgeries by MIS. Most respondents performed imaging when suspecting iPSMs and use systemic adjuvant therapy after confirming iPSMs. Copyright © 2017 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

An instrument to measure job satisfaction of nursing home administrators

PubMed Central

Castle, Nicholas G

2006-01-01

Background The psychometric properties of the nursing home administrator job satisfaction questionnaire (NHA-JSQ) are presented, and the steps used to develop this instrument. Methods The NHA-JSQ subscales were developed from pilot survey activities with 93 administrators, content analysis, and a research panel. The resulting survey was sent to 1,000 nursing home administrators. Factor analyses were used to determine the psychometric properties of the instrument. Results Of the 1,000 surveys mailed, 721 usable surveys were returned (72 percent response rate). The factor analyses show that the items were representative of six underlying factors (i.e., coworkers, work demands, work content, work load, work skills, and rewards). Conclusion The NHA-JSQ represents a short, psychometrically sound job satisfaction instrument for use in nursing homes. PMID:17029644

National environmental specimen bank survey. [Location of 657 collections of environmental specimens

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Van Hook, R.I.; Huber, E.E.

1976-01-01

This report presents the data base developed in the National Environmental Specimen Bank (NESB) Survey. The methodology utilized in developing the mailing lists and in developing and maintaining the data base records also is included. The NESB Survey Data Base is computerized in the Oak Ridge Computerized Hierarchical Information System, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830. The NESB Survey mailing list consisted of 4500 names and addresses. The 657 environmental specimen collections that were located and documented in the NESB Survey Data Base include the following categories: animal, atmospheric, geological, microbiological, plant, and water. However, the majority ofmore » the collections identified are biological in nature. Three indices of the NESB Survey Data Base are included in this report: respondents names and addresses categorized by organizational affiliation; (2) alphabetical listing of respondents; and geographical sampling location for materials in collections.« less

Censoring the Mails: What Is Your Opinion?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alexander, Mary, Ed.; Childress, Marilyn, Ed.

1982-01-01

Contains a primary source document--a letter written in 1916 protesting U.S. Postal Service censorship of an anarchist publication--and suggests ways to use the document in secondary U.S. history classes. Samples of student surveys on mail censorship and a document analysis worksheet are included. (AM)

NASA/DOD Aerospace Knowledge Diffusion Research Project. Paper 39: The role of computer networks in aerospace engineering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bishop, Ann P.; Pinelli, Thomas E.

1994-01-01

This paper presents selected results from an empirical investigation into the use of computer networks in aerospace engineering. Such networks allow aerospace engineers to communicate with people and access remote resources through electronic mail, file transfer, and remote log-in. The study drew its subjects from private sector, government and academic organizations in the U.S. aerospace industry. Data presented here were gathered in a mail survey, conducted in Spring 1993, that was distributed to aerospace engineers performing a wide variety of jobs. Results from the mail survey provide a snapshot of the current use of computer networks in the aerospace industry, suggest factors associated with the use of networks, and identify perceived impacts of networks on aerospace engineering work and communication.

Faculty and student expectations and perceptions of e-mail communication in a campus and distance doctor of pharmacy program.

PubMed

Foral, Pamela A; Turner, Paul D; Monaghan, Michael S; Walters, Ryan W; Merkel, Jennifer J; Lipschultz, Jeremy H; Lenz, Thomas L

2010-12-15

To examine faculty members' and students' expectations and perceptions of e-mail communication in a dual pathway pharmacy program. Three parallel survey instruments were administered to campus students, distance students, and faculty members, respectively. Focus groups with students and faculty were conducted. Faculty members perceived themselves as more accessible and approachable by e-mail than either group of students did. Campus students expected a shorter faculty response time to e-mail and for faculty members to be more available than did distance students. E-mail is an effective means of computer-mediated communication between faculty members and students and can be used to promote a sense of community and inclusiveness (ie, immediacy), especially with distant students.

Review of survey articles regarding medication therapy management (MTM) services/programs in the United States.

PubMed

Oladapo, Abiola O; Rascati, Karen L

2012-08-01

To provide a summary of published survey articles regarding the provision of medication therapy management (MTM) services in the United States. A literature search was conducted to identify original articles on MTM-related surveys conducted in the United States, involving community and outpatient pharmacists, physicians, patients, or pharmacy students and published by the primary researchers who conducted the study. Search engines used included PubMed, Medline, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (IPA). If MTM was in the keyword list, mesh heading, title, or abstract, the article was reviewed. References from these articles were searched to determine whether other relevant articles were available. A total of 405 articles were initially reviewed; however, only 32 articles met the study requirements. Of the 32 articles, 17 surveyed community/outpatient pharmacists, 3 surveyed pharmacy students, 4 surveyed physicians, and 8 surveyed patients. The survey periods varied across the different studies, with the earliest survey conducted in 2004 and the most recent survey conducted in 2009. The surveys were conducted via the telephone, US mail, interoffice mail, e-mails, Internet/Web sites, hand-delivered questionnaires, and focus groups. Despite the identified barriers to the provision of MTM services, pharmacists reportedly found it professionally rewarding to provide these services. Pharmacists claimed to have adequate clinical knowledge, experience, and access to information required to provide MTM services. Pharmacy students were of the opinion that the provision of MTM services was important to the advancement of the pharmacy profession and in providing patients with a higher level of care. Physicians supported having pharmacists adjust patients’ drug therapy and educate patients on general drug information but not in selecting patients’ drug therapy. Finally, patients suggested that alternative ways need to be explored in describing and marketing MTM services for it to be appealing to them.

Chlorhexidine ototoxicity in ear surgery part II: survey of preparation solution used by otolaryngologists in Canada: is there a cause for concern?

PubMed

Lai, Philip; Coulson, Chris; Pothier, David; Rutka, John

2011-12-01

To conduct a survey of the antiseptic preparations used for ear surgeries among otolaryngologists in Canada. An electronic survey was sent to active members of the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery via e-mail. Questions included the use of antiseptic, choice of preparation solution, duration of preparation, use of a barrier method, and compliance with hospital protocol changes. The e-mail was received by 253 otolaryngologists, and 85 completed the survey. Four of 85 respondents did not perform tympanoplasty surgery and were not included in the analysis. Of those who performed tympanoplasty (n  =  81), 78 of the 81 respondents (96%) used an antiseptic preparation solution at surgery, whereas 3 respondents (4%) did not. Sixty-six of the 77 respondents (86%) used aqueous povidone-iodine, 4 (5%) used a chlorhexidine-based preparation, 3 (4%) used an alcohol-based solution, 3 (4%) used others, and 1 answered "I don't know." Thirty-eight of 75 (29%) respondents used a barrier method, 23 (31%) answered "always," 18 (24%) answered "sometimes," and 5 (7%) answered "I don't know." When asked if they would comply with a hypothetical hospital policy to use chlorhexidine in ear surgery, 15 of 79 (19%) respondents agreed, whereas 64 (81%) disagreed. Among the aqueous povidone-iodine users (n  =  66), 7 (11%) agreed to change to chlorhexidine. There is a wide variation in practice in the use of surgical preparation solution among otolaryngologists performing ear surgery. Surgeons must be vigilant to avoid ototoxicity. A national society consensus on appropriate preparation solutions for ear surgery would minimize patients' risk and minimize future medicolegal actions.

A Survey of the Current Utilization of Asynchronous Education Among Emergency Medicine Residents in the United States

PubMed Central

Schlein, Sarah; Doctor, Shaneen; Stroud, Susan; Dawson, Matthew; Fix, Megan

2014-01-01

Problem Medical education is transitioning from traditional learning methods. Resident interest in easily accessible education materials is forcing educators to reevaluate teaching methodology. Approach To determine emergency medicine residents’ current methods of and preferences for obtaining medical knowledge, the authors created a survey and sent it to residents, at all levels of training throughout the United States, whose e-mail addresses were available via their residency’s official Web site (June–December 2012). The eight-question voluntary survey asked respondents about demographics, their use of extracurricular time, and the materials they perceived as most beneficial. The authors used descriptive statistics to analyze results. Outcomes Of the 401 residents who received the e-mailed survey, 226 (56.3%) completed it. Of these, 97.7% reported spending at least one hour per week engaging in extracurricular education, and 34.5% reported spending two to four hours per week (P < .001). Time listening to podcasts was the most popular (reported by 35.0% of residents), followed by reading textbooks (33.6%) and searching Google (21.4%; P < .001). Residents endorsed podcasts as the most beneficial (endorsed by 70.3%) compared with textbooks (endorsed by 54.3%), journals (36.5%), and Google (33.8%; P < .001). Most respondents reported evaluating the quality of evidence or reviewing references “rarely” or less than half the time. A majority (80.0%) selected the topics they accessed based on recent clinical encounters. Next Steps The results suggest that residents are using more open access interactive multimedia tools. Medical educators must engage with current learners to guide appropriate use of these. PMID:24556776

Changes in affect after completing a mailed survey about trauma: two pre- and post-test studies in former disability applicants for posttraumatic stress disorder.

PubMed

Murdoch, Maureen; Kehle-Forbes, Shannon Marie; Partin, Melissa Ruth

2017-05-10

One potential concern with using mailed surveys containing trauma-related content is the possibility of re-traumatizing survivors without a trained mental health professional present. Prior research provides insufficient guidance regarding the prevalence and magnitude of this risk because the psychological harms of trauma-related surveys have typically been estimated using single post-test observations. Post-test observations cannot quantify magnitude of change in participants' emotional states and may over or under estimate associations between participants' characteristics (risk factors) and post-survey upset. We conducted two pre- and post-test studies in samples of former applicants for posttraumatic stress disorder disability benefits: 191 males who served during Gulf War I plus 639 male and 921 female Veterans who served sometime between 1955 and 1998. We used two 9-point items from the Self-Assessment Manikins to measure participants' valence (sadness/happiness) and arousal (tenseness/calmness) before and after they completed mailed surveys asking about trauma-related symptoms or experiences. We examined the following potential predictors for post-survey sadness and tenseness: screening positive for posttraumatic stress disorder, having a serious mental illness, and history of military sexual assault or combat. After the survey, across the groups, 29.3-41.8% were sadder, 45.3-52.2% had no change in valence, and 12.9-22.5% were happier; 31.7-40.2% were tenser, 40.6-48.2% had no change in arousal, and 17.3-24.0% were calmer. The mean increase in sadness or tenseness post-survey was less than one point in all groups (SD's < 1.7). Cohen's d ranged from 0.07 to 0.30. Most hypothesized predictors were associated with greater baseline sadness or tenseness, but not necessarily with larger post-survey changes. Women with a history of military sexual assault had the largest net post-survey changes in sadness (mean = 0.7, SD = 1.4) and tenseness (mean = 0.6, SD = 1.6). While a substantial minority of Veterans reported more sadness or tenseness post-survey, the net change in affect was small. Most hypothesized risk factors were actually associated with higher baseline sadness or tenseness scores. When receiving unsolicited, trauma-related surveys by mail, separate protections for Veterans with the risk factors studied here do not seem necessary.

Models of Mentoring in Communication

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buell, Cindy

2004-01-01

This study examined faculty and student conceptualizations and distinctively communicative practices of mentoring in the academy. The study included three phases: (1) open-ended surveys conducted with faculty and students via e-mail, (2) focus groups conducted with faculty and students to elaborate on findings from the e-mail interviews, and (3)…

75 FR 55324 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; 2011 Drinking...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-10

... water systems serving more than 3,300 persons and from American Indian and Alaskan Native Village... Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; 2011 Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and... submitting comments. E-mail: [email protected] . Fax: 202-564-3757. Mail: Water Docket, EPA Docket Center...

Planning and Control in Higher Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gambino, Anthony J.

Findings are presented of a study begun in 1976 whose purpose was to examine the current and prospective application of management accounting in colleges and universities. The information was obtained through interviews, mail questionnaires and a literature search. The field study and mail survey were designed to serve as the fact-finding devices…

Pediatric automotive restraints, pediatricians, and the academy.

PubMed

Lieberman, H M; Emmet, W L; Coulson, A H

1976-09-01

Over 70% of the 192 Southern California Academy pediatricians responding to a survey teach parents about pediatric automotive safety devices but less than 3% do so on every visit. To test two methods of increasing the frequency of teaching, these pediatricians were randomly assigned to either a mailing from the Academy's local chapter (mail group) or a brief presentation by a local pharmaceutical representative at his regular visit (interview group); a follow-up was conducted one month later by mail. Sixty-one percent of the mail group and 49% of the interview group claimed that their teaching on this subject had increased since the original contact. While this difference did not reach statistical significance, it was in the same direction as the preferences for sources of pediatric information expressed by both groups of pediatricians. A special letter from the Academy was ranked most effective and a visit from the pharmaceutical representative was judged least effective. Because of the magnitude of the problem, availability of a solution, proof that pediatricians can influence health behavior related to children and acknowledgment of the Academy's role in pediatric education, an appeal is made for an all-out campaign by the Academy and its members to promote use of appropriate pediatric automotive safety devices.

Opinion of stakeholders on existing curriculum for postgraduate (MD) course in Pharmacology: A survey.

PubMed

Badyal, Dinesh K; Daniel, Sujit R

2016-10-01

To survey the opinion about various curricular components of Doctor of Medicine (MD) pharmacology curriculum in India by stakeholders, including faculty and students. An online survey was done to evaluate the various curricular components of MD pharmacology curriculum being used in India. A total of 393 respondents including faculty, MD students, and other stakeholders completed the survey. The survey was developed using SurveyMonkey platform and link to survey was E-mailed to stakeholders. The results were expressed as percentages. There was a balanced representation of respondents from various designations, teaching experience, regions, and age groups. Most of the respondents (83%) were aware of the MD pharmacology curriculum. However, they reported that it is more inclined to knowledge domain. About half of respondents (53%) said that animal experiments are being used. The most common teaching methods mentioned are seminars (98.5%), journal clubs (95%), and practical exercises by postgraduates (73%), but there is less use of newer methods (25%) in theory and less of clinical pharmacology exercise (39%) in practical classes. The log books are maintained but not assessed regularly. Internal assessment is sparingly used. The MD pharmacology curriculum needs to be made uniform at the national level and updated to include the newer methods in teaching-learning and assessment. There should be sharing of newer methods at a common platform implemented at the national level.

Using Communication Technology to Enhance Interprofessional Education Simulations.

PubMed

Shrader, Sarah; Kostoff, Matthew; Shin, Tiffany; Heble, Annie; Kempin, Brian; Miller, Astyn; Patykiewicz, Nick

2016-02-25

To determine the impact of simulations using an alternative method of communication on students' satisfaction, attitudes, confidence, and performance related to interprofessional communication. One hundred sixty-three pharmacy students participated in a required applications-based capstone course. Students were randomly assigned to one of three interprofessional education (IPE) simulations with other health professions students using communication methods such as telephone, e-mail, and video conferencing. Pharmacy students completed a validated survey instrument, Attitude Toward Healthcare Teams Scale (ATHCTS) prior to and after course participation. Significant positive changes occurred for 5 out of 20 items. Written reflection papers and student satisfaction surveys completed after participation showed positive themes and satisfaction. Course instructors evaluated student performance using rubrics for formative feedback. Implementation of IPE simulations using various methods of communication technology is an effective way for pharmacy schools to incorporate IPE into their curriculum.

Prevalence of Fibromyalgia: A Population-Based Study in Olmsted County, Minnesota, Utilizing the Rochester Epidemiology Project

PubMed Central

Vincent, Ann; Lahr, Brian D; Wolfe, Frederick; Clauw, Daniel J; Whipple, Mary O; Oh, Terry H; Barton, Debra L; St Sauver, Jennifer

2014-01-01

Objective Our objective was to estimate and compare the prevalence of fibromyalgia by two different methods, in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Methods The first method was a retrospective review of medical records of potential cases of fibromyalgia in Olmsted County using Rochester Epidemiology Project (from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2009) to estimate the prevalence of diagnosed fibromyalgia in clinical practice. The second method was a random survey of adults in Olmsted County using the fibromyalgia research survey criteria to estimate the percentage of responders who met fibromyalgia research survey criteria. Results Of the 3,410 potential patients identified by the first method, 1,115 had a fibromyalgia diagnosis documented in the medical record by a health care provider. The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of diagnosed fibromyalgia by this method was 1.1%. By the second method, of the 2,994 people who received the survey by mail, 830 (27.6%) responded and 44 (5.3%) met fibromyalgia research survey criteria. The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of fibromyalgia in the general population of Olmsted County by this method was estimated at 6.4%. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the rate at which fibromyalgia is being diagnosed in a community. This is also the first report of prevalence as assessed by the fibromyalgia research survey criteria. Our results suggest that patients, particularly men, who meet the fibromyalgia research survey criteria are unlikely to have been given a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. PMID:23203795

Patient Satisfaction Survey 1989-1990

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-07-01

Health Association of America (GHAA) Consumer Satisfaction Survey. Patient Satisfaction Surveys were mailed to 9,000 eligible beneficiaries at 37 Army...SATISFACTION SURVEY Background The patient satisfaction survey tasking came from Headquarters, Health Services Command requesting the GHAA Consumer ...UNITED STATES ARMY HEALTH CARE STUDIES AND CLINICAL INVESTIGATION ACTIVITY /TiC Ii PATIENT SATISFACTION SURVEY 1989-1990 (V) !EXECUTIVE SUMMARY o A

Comparison of Health Examination Survey Methods in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, England, Scotland, and the United States.

PubMed

Mindell, Jennifer S; Moody, Alison; Vecino-Ortiz, Andres I; Alfaro, Tania; Frenz, Patricia; Scholes, Shaun; Gonzalez, Silvia A; Margozzini, Paula; de Oliveira, Cesar; Sanchez Romero, Luz Maria; Alvarado, Andres; Cabrera, Sebastián; Sarmiento, Olga L; Triana, Camilo A; Barquera, Simón

2017-09-15

Comparability of population surveys across countries is key to appraising trends in population health. Achieving this requires deep understanding of the methods used in these surveys to examine the extent to which the measurements are comparable. In this study, we obtained detailed protocols of 8 nationally representative surveys from 2007-2013 from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, the United Kingdom (England and Scotland), and the United States-countries that that differ in economic and inequity indicators. Data were collected on sampling frame, sample selection procedures, recruitment, data collection methods, content of interview and examination modules, and measurement protocols. We also assessed their adherence to the World Health Organization's "STEPwise Approach to Surveillance" framework for population health surveys. The surveys, which included half a million participants, were highly comparable on sampling methodology, survey questions, and anthropometric measurements. Heterogeneity was found for physical activity questionnaires and biological samples collection. The common age range included by the surveys was adults aged 18-64 years. The methods used in these surveys were similar enough to enable comparative analyses of the data across the 7 countries. This comparability is crucial in assessing and comparing national and subgroup population health, and to assisting the transfer of research and policy knowledge across countries. © The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Potential Limitations of E-mail and Text Messaging in Improving Adherence in Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension.

PubMed

Saeedi, Osamah J; Luzuriaga, Christine; Ellish, Nancy; Robin, Alan

2015-01-01

To determine how receptive patients are to the use of e-mail and text message reminders for appointments and medications. We conducted a consecutive cross-sectional survey of eligible patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension at a private glaucoma subspecialty practice with 3 locations from February 2011 to January 2012. Main outcome measures were answers to survey questions regarding how receptive patients are to e-mail and text messaging reminders for appointments and medications. Of 989 patients, 404 (40.8%) patients reported that e-mail reminders would help remember appointments and 185 (18.7%) reported that they would help for medications. Among those with access to text messaging, 280 (68.9%) reported text messaging would help them remember appointments and 193 (47.5%) reported it would help with medications. Patients who reported e-mail would help them remember medications were more likely to live in an urban location [P=0.05, odds ratio (OR)=1.84], check the internet at least daily (P≤0.001, OR=1.04), check e-mail when not at home or the office (P=0.02, OR=1.62), and know how to open attachments (P=0.03, OR=1.87). Patients who reported that text messaging would help them remember their medications were more likely to be 40 or less (P≤0.001, OR=8.54) and African American (P<0.001, OR=2.59). E-mail and text messaging reminders currently may have a limited utility in improving adherence in the general glaucoma population but may be useful in younger patients with glaucoma.

Effect of Incentives and Mailing Features on Online Health Program Enrollment

PubMed Central

Alexander, Gwen L.; Divine, George W.; Couper, Mick P.; McClure, Jennifer B.; Stopponi, Melanie A.; Fortman, Kristine K.; Tolsma, Dennis D.; Strecher, Victor J.; Johnson, Christine Cole

2008-01-01

Background With the growing use of Internet-based interventions, strategies are needed to encourage broader participation. This study examined the effects of combinations of monetary incentives and mailing characteristics on enrollment, retention, and cost effectiveness for an online health program. Methods In 2004, a recruitment letter was mailed to randomly selected Midwestern integrated health system members aged 21–65 and stratified by gender and race/ethnicity; recipients were randomly pre-assigned to one of 24 combinations of incentives and various mailing characteristics. Enrollment and 3-month retention rates were measured by completion of online surveys. Analysis, completed in 2005, compared enrollment and retention factors using t tests and chi-square tests. Multivariate logistic regression modeling assessed the probability of enrollment and retention. Results Of 12,289 subjects, 531 (4.3%) enrolled online, ranging from 1% to 11% by incentive combination. Highest enrollment occurred with unconditional incentives, and responses varied by gender. Retention rates ranged from 0% to 100%, with highest retention linked to higher-value incentives. The combination of a $2 bill prepaid incentive and the promise of $20 for retention (10% enrollment and 71% retention) was optimal, considering per-subject recruitment costs ($32 enrollment, $70 retention) and equivalent enrollment by gender and race/ethnicity. Conclusions Cash incentives improved enrollment in an online health program. Men and women responded differently to mailing characteristics and incentives. Including a small prepaid monetary incentive ($2 or $5) and revealing the higher promised-retention incentive was cost effective and boosted enrollment. PMID:18407004

U.S. Coast Guard radionavigation system user survey

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1990-02-01

This report documents the findings of a national mail survey of civilian marine and terrestrial users of federally-operated Radionavigation Systems (RNS). The main objectives of the survey were to gather empirical data on the use pattern of current R...

2001 traffic safety issues opinion survey.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2002-02-01

As a means of determining public opinion on specific traffic safety issues, a public opinion survey was conducted. A total of 4,500 mail surveys were sent to a stratified sample of drivers selected from the drivers license file. The state was divided...

Preventing infections in nursing homes: A survey of infection control practices in southeast Michigan

PubMed Central

Mody, Lona; Langa, Kenneth M.; Saint, Sanjay; Bradley, Suzanne F.

2012-01-01

Background Studies on adherence to infection control policies in nursing homes (NHs) are limited. This pilot study explores the use of various infection control practices and the role of infection control practitioners in southeast Michigan NHs. Methods A 43-item self-administered questionnaire and explanatory cover letter were mailed to 105 licensed NHs in southeast Michigan. A second mailing was sent to the nonresponders 4 weeks later. Results Significant variability existed in adoption of various infection control measures with respect to time spent in infection control activities (50% of facilities having a full-time infection control practitioner), definitions used in monitoring infections, and immunization rates (influenza: range, 0%–100%; mean, 73.2%; pneumococcal: range, 0%–100%; mean, 38.5%). Conclusion Although strides have been made in infection control research in NHs, significant variations exist in implementation of infection control methods and guidelines. Future research should focus on identifying barriers to infection control in NHs. PMID:16216667

Partnering with health care systems to assess tobacco treatment practices and beliefs among clinicians: evaluating the process.

PubMed

Celestin, Michael D; Hart, Alton; Moody-Thomas, Sarah

2014-05-29

Tobacco is a major cause of preventable illness and death. However, clinician use of an evidence-based guideline for treatment of tobacco use is low. This case study describes the process for conducting a pre-intervention assessment of clinician practices and beliefs regarding treatment of tobacco use. Louisiana State University Health System, one of the largest safety-net public hospital systems in the United States, consists of 10 facilities in population centers across the state of Louisiana. The system serves a large proportion of the state's underinsured and uninsured, low-income, and racial/ethnic minority populations, groups that have high rates of tobacco use. Activities included 1) partnering with hospital administrators to generate support for conducting a clinician assessment, 2) identifying and adapting a survey tool to assess clinicians' practices and beliefs regarding treatment of tobacco use, 3) developing a survey protocol and obtaining approval from the institutional review board, and 4) administering the survey electronically, using the hospital's e-mail system. Existing partnerships and system resources aided survey administration. Use of the hospital's internal e-mail system and distribution of an online survey were effective means to engage clinicians. Following notification, 43.6% of 4,508 clinicians opened their e-mail containing the invitation letter with a Web link to the survey; of these, 83.1% (1,634) completed the survey. Partnering with stakeholders and using existing resources within the health care system are essential to successful implementation of a system-wide survey of clinician practices and beliefs regarding treatment of tobacco use.

Consolidating DoD Housing and Allowance Data Collection

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-01-01

data . In addition, the military staff chains of command, unit chains of command, DMDC, and the Navy’s Facilities Support Office (FACSO) become...non-pay section of the form if the Finance Office abandons it. However, the current methods of collecting data are equally risky, and statistical ...minimum standards are rescored as acceptable. The survey data sheets are then mailed to the Navy’s Facility Support Office (FACSO) at Port Hueneme, CA

NASA/DoD Aerospace knowledge diffusion research project. III - The impact of a sponsor letter on mail survey response rates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kennedy, John M.; Pinelli, Thomas E.

1990-01-01

The paper describes the impact of two interventions in the design of mail surveys. The interventions were devised to increase response rates and to clarify sample eligibility. To test their effectiveness, interventions occurred at different points in each of three surveys. One intervention was a letter from the research sponsor (NASA) supporting the research. The other intervention was the inclusion of a postcard that could be used by the respondent to indicate that the questionnaire was not appropriate for him/her. The sample was drawn from the membership of the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics research society. The results indicate that the sponsor letter improved response rates under certain conditions described in the paper. The postcards assisted in identifying noneligible persons particularly when they accompanied a pre-survey letter. The implications for survey costs are discussed.

Survey Says? A Primer on Web-based Survey Design and Distribution

PubMed Central

Oppenheimer, Adam J.; Pannucci, Christopher J.; Kasten, Steven J.; Haase, Steven C.

2011-01-01

The internet has changed the way in which we gather and interpret information. While books were once the exclusive bearers of data, knowledge is now only a keystroke away. The internet has also facilitated the synthesis of new knowledge. Specifically, it has become a tool through which medical research is conducted. A review of the literature reveals that in the past year, over one-hundred medical publications have been based on web-based survey data alone. Due to emerging internet technologies, web-based surveys can now be launched with little computer knowledge. They may also be self-administered, eliminating personnel requirements. Ultimately, an investigator may build, implement, and analyze survey results with speed and efficiency, obviating the need for mass mailings and data processing. All of these qualities have rendered telephone and mail-based surveys virtually obsolete. Despite these capabilities, web-based survey techniques are not without their limitations, namely recall and response biases. When used properly, however, web-based surveys can greatly simplify the research process. This article discusses the implications of web-based surveys and provides guidelines for their effective design and distribution. PMID:21701347

Tobacco Direct Mail Marketing and Smoking Behaviors in a Cohort of Adolescents and Young Adults From the U.S. Upper Midwest: A Prospective Analysis

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Introduction: We assessed the characteristics of adolescents and young adults who received tobacco direct mail materials and the association of receiving these materials with subsequent smoking behaviors. Methods: Adolescents from the upper Midwest region of the United States were sampled through clustered random sampling in 2000 and surveyed every 6 months. Participants (n = 3546) were asked at baseline (October 2006–March 2007) whether they had received direct mail materials from tobacco companies during the previous 6 months. Smoking behaviors were assessed 6 months later (April–September 2007). We assessed associations between demographics and receiving tobacco direct mail materials at baseline and the association of receiving these materials with smoking behaviors at follow-up, stratified by baseline smoking status. Results: Overall, 5.2% of nonsmokers and 23.9% of current smokers in our sample received tobacco direct mail materials during the past 6 months (2.6% and 17.1% among nonsmokers and smokers <18 years old, respectively; p < .05). Participants who were older and living with smokers were more likely to receive these materials (p < .05). Baseline nonsmokers who received these materials smoked more cigarettes during the previous 30 days at follow-up (p < .05); baseline current smokers who received these materials were less likely than those who did not to reduce the number of cigarettes smoked during the past 30 days at follow up (p < .05). Conclusions: Those younger than 18 years old (particularly smokers) in addition to older individuals in our regional sample were exposed to tobacco direct mail marketing. Exposure to this market strategy is associated with faster escalation of cigarette consumption among nonsmokers and lower likelihood of smoking reduction among smokers in this adolescent and young adult sample. PMID:24532353

Warning: You Have an E-Mail Message.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Piirto, John

1997-01-01

A survey of 101 faculty in a variety of disciplines found that most do not give much attention to the composition of electronic mail messages and are not bothered much when receiving messages containing mechanical or composition errors. Results suggest faculty should be cautious about relaxing the rules of grammar, punctuation, and good writing in…

Entry Level Employment Opportunities for College Graduates in Nonprofit and Voluntary Organizations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Navaratnam, K. K.

A mail survey was conducted to gather information about entry-level career opportunities for college graduates in nonprofit and voluntary organizations in the United States. One hundred questionnaires were mailed to nonprofit and voluntary organizations, with a return of 57 usable questionnaires. The findings of the study show that there are…

Patient Satisfaction Survey, 1991-1992

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-09-01

Health AssociationS(U) of America Consumer Satisfaction Survey. Surveys were mailed to 9,400 eligible beneficiaries at 38 Army medical treatment...Association of America was helpful in providing the modified GHAA Consumer Satisfaction Survey items. iv PATIENT SATISFACTION SURVEY BACKGROUND The... patient satisfaction survey tasking came from Headquarters, U.S. Army Health Services Command (HQ HSC) requesting the Group Health Association of America

Collegiate Athletic Trainers' Confidence in Helping Female Athletes With Eating Disorders.

PubMed

Vaughan, Jennifer L.; King, Keith A.; Cottrell, Randall R.

2004-03-01

OBJECTIVE: To examine college athletic trainers' confidence in helping female athletes who have eating disorders. DESIGN AND SETTING: We mailed a 4-page, 53-item survey to head certified athletic trainers at all National Collegiate Athletic Association Division IA and IAA institutions (N = 236). A 2- wave mailing design was used to increase response rate. SUBJECTS: A total of 171 athletic trainers returned completed surveys for a response rate of 77%. Eleven institutions either did not identify their head athletic trainer or did not have an identifiable mailing address. Two surveys were undeliverable because of incorrect mailing addresses. MEASUREMENTS: The survey consisted of 4 subscales: (1) efficacy expectation, (2) outcome expectation, (3) outcome value, and (4) experience in dealing with eating disorders. Content validity was established by review from a national panel of experts. Reliability ranged from.66 to.73 for the subscales. RESULTS: Although virtually all athletic trainers (91%) had dealt with a female athlete with an eating disorder, only 1 in 4 (27%) felt confident identifying a female athlete with an eating disorder, and only 1 in 3 (38%) felt confident asking an athlete if she had an eating disorder. One in 4 athletic trainers (25%) worked at an institution that did not have a policy on handling eating disorders. Almost all athletic trainers (93%) felt that increased attention needs to be paid to preventing eating disorders among collegiate female athletes. CONCLUSIONS: Collegiate athletic programs are encouraged to develop and implement eating-disorder policies. Continuing education on the prevention of eating disorders among athletes is also strongly recommended.

Collegiate Athletic Trainers' Confidence in Helping Female Athletes With Eating Disorders

PubMed Central

Vaughan, Jennifer L.; Cottrell, Randall R.

2004-01-01

Objective: To examine college athletic trainers' confidence in helping female athletes who have eating disorders. Design and Setting: We mailed a 4-page, 53-item survey to head certified athletic trainers at all National Collegiate Athletic Association Division IA and IAA institutions (N = 236). A 2- wave mailing design was used to increase response rate. Subjects: A total of 171 athletic trainers returned completed surveys for a response rate of 77%. Eleven institutions either did not identify their head athletic trainer or did not have an identifiable mailing address. Two surveys were undeliverable because of incorrect mailing addresses. Measurements: The survey consisted of 4 subscales: (1) efficacy expectation, (2) outcome expectation, (3) outcome value, and (4) experience in dealing with eating disorders. Content validity was established by review from a national panel of experts. Reliability ranged from .66 to .73 for the subscales. Results: Although virtually all athletic trainers (91%) had dealt with a female athlete with an eating disorder, only 1 in 4 (27%) felt confident identifying a female athlete with an eating disorder, and only 1 in 3 (38%) felt confident asking an athlete if she had an eating disorder. One in 4 athletic trainers (25%) worked at an institution that did not have a policy on handling eating disorders. Almost all athletic trainers (93%) felt that increased attention needs to be paid to preventing eating disorders among collegiate female athletes. Conclusions: Collegiate athletic programs are encouraged to develop and implement eating-disorder policies. Continuing education on the prevention of eating disorders among athletes is also strongly recommended. PMID:15085214

The use of herbs by california midwives.

PubMed

Dennehy, Cathi; Tsourounis, Candy; Bui, Lindsey; King, Tekoa L

2010-01-01

To characterize herbal product use (prevalence, types, indications) among Certified Nurse Midwives/Certified Midwives (CNMs/CMs) and Licensed Midwives (LMs) practicing in the state of California and to describe formal education related to herbal products received by midwives during midwifery education. Cross-sectional survey/California/Practicing midwives. A list of LMs and CNMs/CMs practicing in California was obtained through the California Medical Board (CMB) and the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM), respectively. The survey was mailed to 343 CNMs/CMs (one third of the ACNM mailing list) and 157 LMs (the complete CMB mailing list). Of the 500 surveys mailed, 40 were undeliverable, 146 were returned, and 7 were excluded (30% response rate). Of the 139 completed surveys, 58/102 (57%) of CNMs/CMs and 35/37 (95%) of LMs used herbs, and LMs were more comfortable than CNMs/CMs in recommending herbs to their patients. A majority of LMs had >20 hours of midwifery education on herbs whereas a majority of CNMs/CMs received 0 to 5 hours. Some CNMs/CMs indicated that their practice site limited their ability to use herbs. Common conditions in which LMs and CNMs/CMs used herbs were nausea/vomiting (86% vs. 83%), labor induction (89% vs. 58%), and lactation (86% vs. 65%). Specific herbs for all indications are described. Licensed midwives were more likely than CNMs/CMs to use herbs in clinical practice. This trend was likely a reflection of the amount of education devoted to herbs as well as herbal use limitations that may be encountered in institutional facilities. © 2010 AWHONN, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.

Human Papillomavirus Infection in Women Who Submit Self-collected Vaginal Swabs After Internet Recruitment.

PubMed

Nelson, Erik J; Hughes, John; Oakes, J Michael; Thyagarajan, Bharat; Pankow, James S; Kulasingam, Shalini L

2015-06-01

Submission of vaginal samples collected at home could remove barriers that women face in getting screened for cervical cancer. From December 2013 to January 2014, women aged 21-30 years were recruited online to participate in either (1) self-collected testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and an online survey, or (2) an online survey regarding their perceptions of self-collected testing for HPV infection. Demographics, risk factors, testing perceptions, and satisfaction with self-collected testing were assessed with online questionnaires. Women who performed self-collection were sent a home sampling kit by US mail, which was returned via US mail for HPV testing. A total of 197 women were enrolled, with 130 completing the online survey and 67 participating in both the survey and self-collection. Of the 67 women who were sent kits, 62 (92.5%) were returned for testing. Sixty kits contained a sample sufficient for testing. The overall prevalence of HPV infection was 17.8%, however 6 women (9.7%) were infected with >1 type of HPV. Women who self-collected a sample reported more favorable attributes of self-collection compared to women who only participated in the online survey, including ease of sampling (87.1 vs. 18.9%), no pain during sampling (72.6 vs. 5.6%), and lack of embarrassment (67.7 vs. 12.9%). A high prevalence of HPV infection was demonstrated among women recruited via the internet. Online recruitment and at home screening methods have the potential to engage women in screening by offering an approach that might be more acceptable to women of different backgrounds.

Research-based planning for change: assessing nurses' attitudes toward governance and professional practice autonomy after hospital acquisition.

PubMed

George, V M; Burke, L J; Rodgers, B L

1997-05-01

This article describes one medical center's experience in using research to plan for nursing staff integration after hospital acquisition. Resistance to new policies, procedures, and standards; passive acceptance of new leadership; limited support for management plans; and failure to integrate with new nursing units are common staff reactions after acquisitions. Little has been written regarding which key staff variables to assess after acquisitions and how to use this data to plan for change. Structural contingency and attribution theory were used to guide leadership staff's assessment of acquired staff attributes to determine their congruence with concepts valued by the acquiring organization. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected using a survey method. All 141 registered nurses and licensed practical nurses of the acquired medical center received a mailed survey. Sixty-six completed surveys were returned through the U.S. mail. No identifying information was placed on the survey to assure anonymity. The survey results described nurses perceptions of the advantages, concerns, and suggestions for a smooth transition after acquisition. In addition, the results clarified that nurses in the newly acquired hospital preferred a shared governance structure (congruent with the acquiring medical center's values) and the nurses perceived professional nursing autonomy was similar to that of nurses who worked at the acquiring medical center. By sharing the findings, both staffs were sensitized to the similarities among the staff as well as to their differences. Transition strategies were planned to capitalize on this knowledge. This process may be useful for other nurse executives to replicate as they guide their organizations through similar transitions.

Practices and perceptions among pediatricians regarding adolescent contraception with emphasis on intrauterine contraception.

PubMed

Wilson, S F; Strohsnitter, W; Baecher-Lind, L

2013-10-01

This study was conducted to characterize pediatricians' current practice patterns and perceived barriers related to adolescent contraception counseling with an emphasis on intrauterine contraception (IUC). We performed a mailed survey study to 400 general pediatricians. Surveys were mailed to pediatricians at their individual office locations. General pediatricians belonging to the Massachusetts Pediatric Society were included in the study. The survey instrument assessed current practice patterns and perspectives as related to contraception counseling for adolescents. Use of contraception among adolescent patients, policy to recommend IUC to adolescents in various clinical scenarios, and barriers to adolescent contraceptive counseling. Over 50% of pediatricians considered abstinence their favored method of contraception for adolescents, while fewer than 20% reported discussing IUC as an option. Female pediatricians were more likely to discuss IUC (25% vs 8%, P = .01), as were younger pediatricians (28% vs 14%, P = .13). Given 8 clinical scenarios suitable for IUC use, less than 25% of pediatricians would offer IUC to a teen unless she had a history of a vaginal delivery or abortion. Seventy percent of pediatricians reported lack of training with IUC, and more than 30% reported legal, fertility and parental concerns as barriers to discussing IUC with adolescents. Efforts are warranted to improve the education of pediatricians regarding the most current guidelines for proper IUC use in adolescents with the goal to increase the frequency with which this effective contraceptive method is discussed with this vulnerable population. Copyright © 2013 North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Health plan decision making in the Medicare population: results from a national randomized experiment.

PubMed

McCormack, L A; Anderson, W L; Uhrig, J D; Garfinkel, S A; Sofaer, S; Terrell, S A

2001-12-01

To examine the effect of providing the Medicare & You handbook on consumers' attitudes and behavior regarding health plan decision making. A national sample of 3,738 Medicare beneficiaries who were surveyed in late 1999 and early 2000 was employed. Data were collected using a mail survey with telephone follow-up; the response rate was 76 percent. Medicare beneficiaries were randomly assigned to a control group that received no Medicare-related in formation as part of the study, or to a treatment group that received a copy of the 2000 version of the Medicare & You handbook as part of a national mailing. Half of the treat men t group (the "re-mail" group) received a second copy of the handbook along wit h their mail survey instrument. The control and treatment groups did not differ regarding their level of satisfaction with or confidence in their current choice of health plan according to predicted mean values. Treatment group beneficiaries had a significantly higher propensity to either change or consider changing health plans relative to beneficiaries in the control group. Controlling for other factors, 5 percent of treatment group members switched health insurance plans during the prior month compared to 3 percent of control group members. there were no significant differences in predicted values between the re-mail and no re-mail groups in any of the models. Type of supplemental insurance was also highly related to all three outcomes. Findings from this and a prior parallel study suggest th at messages contained in the Medicare & You handbook can have an influence on beneficiaries and the Medicare market . Thus, careful attention should be given to the wording and intent of these messages. This is particularly relevant given the current administration's emphasis on increasing enrollment in Medicare+Choice plans and findings from earlier research reporting that beneficiaries felt the handbook was pressuring them to enroll in managed care.

Efficiencies of Internet-Based Digital and Paper-Based Scientific Surveys and the Estimated Costs and Time for Different-Sized Cohorts

PubMed Central

Uhlig, Constantin E.; Seitz, Berthold; Eter, Nicole; Promesberger, Julia; Busse, Holger

2014-01-01

Aims To evaluate the relative efficiencies of five Internet-based digital and three paper-based scientific surveys and to estimate the costs for different-sized cohorts. Methods Invitations to participate in a survey were distributed via e-mail to employees of two university hospitals (E1 and E2) and to members of a medical association (E3), as a link placed in a special text on the municipal homepage regularly read by the administrative employees of two cities (H1 and H2), and paper-based to workers at an automobile enterprise (P1) and college (P2) and senior (P3) students. The main parameters analyzed included the numbers of invited and actual participants, and the time and cost to complete the survey. Statistical analysis was descriptive, except for the Kruskal-Wallis-H-test, which was used to compare the three recruitment methods. Cost efficiencies were compared and extrapolated to different-sized cohorts. Results The ratios of completely answered questionnaires to distributed questionnaires were between 81.5% (E1) and 97.4% (P2). Between 6.4% (P1) and 57.0% (P2) of the invited participants completely answered the questionnaires. The costs per completely answered questionnaire were $0.57–$1.41 (E1–3), $1.70 and $0.80 for H1 and H2, respectively, and $3.36–$4.21 (P1–3). Based on our results, electronic surveys with 10, 20, 30, or 42 questions would be estimated to be most cost (and time) efficient if more than 101.6–225.9 (128.2–391.7), 139.8–229.2 (93.8–193.6), 165.8–230.6 (68.7–115.7), or 188.2–231.5 (44.4–72.7) participants were required, respectively. Conclusions The study efficiency depended on the technical modalities of the survey methods and engagement of the participants. Depending on our study design, our results suggest that in similar projects that will certainly have more than two to three hundred required participants, the most efficient way of conducting a questionnaire-based survey is likely via the Internet with a digital questionnaire, specifically via a centralized e-mail. PMID:25313672

Incentive and Reminder Strategies to Improve Response Rate for Internet-Based Physician Surveys: A Randomized Experiment.

PubMed

Cook, David A; Wittich, Christopher M; Daniels, Wendlyn L; West, Colin P; Harris, Ann M; Beebe, Timothy J

2016-09-16

Most research on how to enhance response rates in physician surveys has been done using paper surveys. Uncertainties remain regarding how to enhance response rates in Internet-based surveys. To evaluate the impact of a low-cost nonmonetary incentive and paper mail reminders (formal letter and postcard) on response rates in Internet-based physician surveys. We executed a factorial-design randomized experiment while conducting a nationally representative Internet-based physician survey. We invited 3966 physicians (randomly selected from a commercial database of all licensed US physicians) via email to complete an Internet-based survey. We used 2 randomly assigned email messages: one message offered a book upon survey completion, whereas the other did not mention the book but was otherwise identical. All nonrespondents received several email reminders. Some physicians were further assigned at random to receive 1 reminder via paper mail (either a postcard or a letter) or no paper reminder. The primary outcome of this study was the survey response rate. Of the 3966 physicians who were invited, 451 (11.4%) responded to at least one survey question and 336 (8.5%) completed the entire survey. Of those who were offered a book, 345/2973 (11.6%) responded compared with 106/993 (10.7%) who were not offered a book (odds ratio 1.10, 95% CI 0.87-1.38, P=.42). Regarding the paper mail reminder, 168/1572 (10.7%) letter recipients, 148/1561 (9.5%) postcard recipients, and 69/767 (9.0%) email-only recipients responded (P=.35). The response rate for those receiving letters or postcards was similar (odds ratio 1.14, 95% CI 0.91-1.44, P=.26). Offering a modest nonmonetary incentive and sending a paper reminder did not improve survey response rate. Further research on how to enhance response rates in Internet-based physician surveys is needed.

Tobacco industry direct mail receipt and coupon use among young adult smokers.

PubMed

Jane Lewis, M; Bover Manderski, Michelle T; Delnevo, Cristine D

2015-02-01

To examine young adult smokers' receipt of tobacco industry direct mail and use of coupons to purchase cigarettes. A total of 699 young adults from a 2011 national survey who reported smoking every day/some days provided self-report data on past-six month receipt of direct mail and past-six month use of coupons to purchase cigarettes. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted odds of direct mail receipt and coupon use. Overall, 25.1% of young adult smokers reported receiving direct mail from a tobacco company and 24.2% had used a coupon to buy cigarettes in the past 6 months. Direct mail receipt and coupon use to purchase cigarettes were significantly higher among females, daily smokers, and whites. Nearly 70% of smokers who received direct mail had also used a coupon to purchase cigarettes in the preceding 6 months. Brand websites were the most commonly reported means of joining a direct mailing list. This study adds to limited research showing receipt of direct mail and use of price reducing coupons by young adults. Also, higher rates of direct mail receipt and coupon use among females suggest that these strategies may be especially effective in encouraging smoking in females. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Efficiencies of Internet-based digital and paper-based scientific surveys and the estimated costs and time for different-sized cohorts.

PubMed

Uhlig, Constantin E; Seitz, Berthold; Eter, Nicole; Promesberger, Julia; Busse, Holger

2014-01-01

To evaluate the relative efficiencies of five Internet-based digital and three paper-based scientific surveys and to estimate the costs for different-sized cohorts. Invitations to participate in a survey were distributed via e-mail to employees of two university hospitals (E1 and E2) and to members of a medical association (E3), as a link placed in a special text on the municipal homepage regularly read by the administrative employees of two cities (H1 and H2), and paper-based to workers at an automobile enterprise (P1) and college (P2) and senior (P3) students. The main parameters analyzed included the numbers of invited and actual participants, and the time and cost to complete the survey. Statistical analysis was descriptive, except for the Kruskal-Wallis-H-test, which was used to compare the three recruitment methods. Cost efficiencies were compared and extrapolated to different-sized cohorts. The ratios of completely answered questionnaires to distributed questionnaires were between 81.5% (E1) and 97.4% (P2). Between 6.4% (P1) and 57.0% (P2) of the invited participants completely answered the questionnaires. The costs per completely answered questionnaire were $0.57-$1.41 (E1-3), $1.70 and $0.80 for H1 and H2, respectively, and $3.36-$4.21 (P1-3). Based on our results, electronic surveys with 10, 20, 30, or 42 questions would be estimated to be most cost (and time) efficient if more than 101.6-225.9 (128.2-391.7), 139.8-229.2 (93.8-193.6), 165.8-230.6 (68.7-115.7), or 188.2-231.5 (44.4-72.7) participants were required, respectively. The study efficiency depended on the technical modalities of the survey methods and engagement of the participants. Depending on our study design, our results suggest that in similar projects that will certainly have more than two to three hundred required participants, the most efficient way of conducting a questionnaire-based survey is likely via the Internet with a digital questionnaire, specifically via a centralized e-mail.

A Study of Special Education Teachers' Knowledge of Assistive Technology for Children with Reading Difficulties

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sydeski, Randal T.

2013-01-01

This study investigated high school special education teachers' knowledge of assistive technology (AT) for students with reading difficulties in Southwestern Pennsylvania. A survey was disseminated via e-mail using the "SurveyMonkey" online survey tool to 201 special education teachers. The survey asked questions pertaining to the…

Modifying physical activity in a multiethnic sample of low-income women: one-year results from the IMPACT (Increasing Motivation for Physical ACTivity) project.

PubMed

Albright, Cheryl L; Pruitt, Leslie; Castro, Cynthia; Gonzalez, Alma; Woo, Sandi; King, Abby C

2005-12-01

Ethnic minorities or those with low socioeconomic status (SES) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and all-cause mortality, compared to higher SES Whites. National surveys also indicate that low-income, ethnic minority women have the highest rates of inactivity in the United States. This study (the Increasing Motivation for Physical ACTivity or IMPACT study) promoted adoption and maintenance of physical activity (PA) in sedentary, low-income women participating in federally funded job training programs. The study consisted of 2 months of weekly 1-hr classes, then random assignment to 10 months of either home-based telephone counseling for PA plus information and feedback via mailed newsletters (Phone + Mail Counseling condition) or just the mailed newsletters (Mail Support condition). The IMPACT intervention included behavior change strategies for PA as well as discussions related to motivational readiness for PA change. Participants completed surveys and physiological assessments at baseline after the classes ended (i.e., at 10 weeks) and at 6 and 12 months postbaseline. Seventy-three percent of randomized participants (n = 72) were Latina, with a mean age of 32 +/- 10 years. More than half the women had not completed high school, and 73% had an annual income less than 20,000 dollars. After 10 months of a home-based intervention, women in the phone + mail counseling condition had significantly greater increases in estimated total energy expenditure compared to women in the mail support condition (p < .05). Regular PA counseling delivered via the telephone and through the mail appears effective for encouraging regular PA among low-income women transitioning from welfare or job training to the workforce.

Social networking versus facebook advertising to recruit survey respondents: a quasi-experimental study.

PubMed

Gilligan, Conor; Kypri, Kypros; Bourke, Jesse

2014-09-17

Increasingly, social contact and knowledge of other people's attitudes and behavior are mediated by online social media such as Facebook. The main research to which this recruitment study pertains investigates the influence of parents on adolescent alcohol consumption. Given the pervasiveness of online social media use, Facebook may be an effective means of recruitment and intervention delivery. The objective of the study was to determine the efficacy of study recruitment via social networks versus paid advertising on Facebook. We conducted a quasi-experimental sequential trial with response rate as the outcome, and estimates of cost-effectiveness. The target population was parents of 13-17 year old children attending high schools in the Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia. Recruitment occurred via: method (1) social recruitment using Facebook, email-based, social networks, and media coverage followed by method (2) Facebook advertising. Using a range of online and other social network approaches only: method (1) 74 parents were recruited to complete a survey over eight months, costing AUD58.70 per completed survey. After Facebook advertising: method (2) 204 parents completed the survey over four weeks, costing AUD5.94 per completed survey. Participants were representative of the parents recruited from the region's schools using standard mail and email. Facebook advertising is a cost-effective means of recruiting parents, a group difficult to reach by other methods.

A new ChainMail approach for real-time soft tissue simulation.

PubMed

Zhang, Jinao; Zhong, Yongmin; Smith, Julian; Gu, Chengfan

2016-07-03

This paper presents a new ChainMail method for real-time soft tissue simulation. This method enables the use of different material properties for chain elements to accommodate various materials. Based on the ChainMail bounding region, a new time-saving scheme is developed to improve computational efficiency for isotropic materials. The proposed method also conserves volume and strain energy. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed ChainMail method can not only accommodate isotropic, anisotropic and heterogeneous materials but also model incompressibility and relaxation behaviors of soft tissues. Further, the proposed method can achieve real-time computational performance.

The use of prophylactic antibiotics in plastic surgery: update in 2010.

PubMed

Hauck, Randy M; Nogan, Stephen

2013-01-01

The indications for prophylactic antibiotics in plastic surgery remain controversial. No recent survey has been reported on the use of prophylactic antibiotics by plastic surgeons in clinical practice. This survey was designed to assess the current use of prophylactic antibiotics by plastic surgeons and to compare trends with previous studies. All members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons with an e-mail address on the Society's website were contacted via an e-mail and sent a link to a SurveyMonkey questionnaire. To survey only in those subspecialty areas that they practice in, surgeons were queried only on the procedures that they perform. Within each section, a list of common representative procedures was included, with questions about the use of antibiotic prophylaxis. A total of 3824 American Society of Plastic Surgeons members were contacted. Of the 3613, 910 with working e-mail addresses responded to the survey for a response rate of 25%. And 833 or 91.5% completed the survey. Survey data cover the percentage of surgeons reporting their use of antibiotics in procedures that they currently perform. The percentage of plastic surgeons who use prophylactic antibiotics in almost all procedures studied has increased significantly when compared with earlier studies. The use of prophylactic antibiotics by plastic surgeons has increased considerably since the prior studies by Krizek et al (Plast Reconstr Surg. 1975;55:21-32 and 1985;76:953-963). Some of these uses are appropriate because of the use in procedures involving implants and longer operations. The elevated rates for clean procedures are not part of the evidence-based practice.

Using Communication Technology to Enhance Interprofessional Education Simulations

PubMed Central

Shrader, Sarah; Shin, Tiffany; Heble, Annie; Kempin, Brian; Miller, Astyn; Patykiewicz, Nick

2016-01-01

Objective. To determine the impact of simulations using an alternative method of communication on students’ satisfaction, attitudes, confidence, and performance related to interprofessional communication. Design. One hundred sixty-three pharmacy students participated in a required applications-based capstone course. Students were randomly assigned to one of three interprofessional education (IPE) simulations with other health professions students using communication methods such as telephone, e-mail, and video conferencing. Assessment. Pharmacy students completed a validated survey instrument, Attitude Toward Healthcare Teams Scale (ATHCTS) prior to and after course participation. Significant positive changes occurred for 5 out of 20 items. Written reflection papers and student satisfaction surveys completed after participation showed positive themes and satisfaction. Course instructors evaluated student performance using rubrics for formative feedback. Conclusion. Implementation of IPE simulations using various methods of communication technology is an effective way for pharmacy schools to incorporate IPE into their curriculum. PMID:26941439

Patient Race and Outcome Preferences as Predictors of Urologists’ Treatment Recommendations and Referral Patterns in Early-Stage Prostate Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-11-01

care for localized prostate cancer. To date, we have completed all survey mailings, collected responses, entered these into an Access database, and...vignette, patient socioeconomic status, not race, influenced treatment recommendations for localized prostate cancer. A majority of urologists rate their...in patterns of care for localized prostate cancer. See Introduction (page 14) and Methods (pages 15-17) in Appendix B for details. Key research

Anthropometric Survey (ANSUR) II Pilot Study: Methods and Summary Statistics

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-04-01

laptop computer. At the end of each day, data from the laptop hard drive was backed up on a thumb drive and also e-mailed back to the Anthrotech...superior point on the juncture of the cartilaginous flap (tragus) of the ear with the head. Trapezius point, right and left: The point at...which the anterior border of the trapezius muscle crosses the lateral neck landmark. Trochanter: A point at the center of the lateral

Endorsement of the New Ecological Paradigm in Systematic and E-Mail Samples of College Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rideout, Bruce E.; Hushen, Katherine; McGinty, Dawn; Perkins, Stephanie; Tate, Jennifer

2005-01-01

As the initial phase of a longitudinal study of environmental perspective in college students, resident student opinion was sampled using the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale administered through systematic alphabetical sampling. Sampling was also carried out by a blanket e-mail distribution of surveys for voluntary response. Results showed…

Ethical Judgments Concerning Email Use in the Workplace: University Students' Perceptions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keith, Nancy; Perreault, Heidi; Sutliff, Kris

2001-01-01

A survey of 1,272 college students showed that most believed it appropriate to use company e-mail accounts for personal messages, but inappropriate to read others' e-mail or send messages with ethnic, racial, or sexual content. Students who participated in ethics discussions were less likely to rate certain behaviors as appropriate. (Contains 22…

Bridging the Gap? Internet and E-Mail Access within Universities in Developing Commonwealth Countries.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lund, Helen

This study examined the extent to which e-mail and Internet access is available within universities in developing countries in the British Commonwealth. Data were gathered using a survey of 300 institutions in developing Commonwealth countries, and responses by 112 institutions in 19 countries were evaluated. The study concluded that a major gulf…

75 FR 38976 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Precanvass Operation for the 2012 Economic...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-07

... multimodal, system-wide data on the volume and pattern of goods movement in the United States. The Commodity... Census Bureau will mail a one- page questionnaire to manufacturing, mining, and wholesale establishments... used to improve the mailing and follow-up activities for the 2012 Commodity Flow Survey. III. Data OMB...

75 FR 52964 - Revision of Information Collection; Non-Use Valuation Survey, Klamath Basin

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-30

... 10/90 split. The first wave of mailings will be to 10% of the households. 17% of households are... spend 3 minutes. The Department will then conduct preliminary analysis. The second wave of mailings will... performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2...

Understanding Taxes: A Survey of Users. Research Report Number 109.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Agency for Instructional Technology, Bloomington, IN.

This report analyzes and describes the results of survey research conducted with teachers, curriculum consultants, instructional television specialists, and others regarding the instructional effectiveness and the uses of "Understanding Taxes," a taxpayer education program aimed primarily at high school students. Written surveys were mailed to…

It's all about balance: propensity score matching in the context of complex survey data.

PubMed

Lenis, David; Nguyen, Trang Quynh; Dong, Nianbo; Stuart, Elizabeth A

2017-12-27

Many research studies aim to draw causal inferences using data from large, nationally representative survey samples, and many of these studies use propensity score matching to make those causal inferences as rigorous as possible given the non-experimental nature of the data. However, very few applied studies are careful about incorporating the survey design with the propensity score analysis, which may mean that the results do not generate population inferences. This may be because few methodological studies examine how to best combine these methods. Furthermore, even fewer of them investigate different non-response mechanisms. This study examines methods for handling survey weights in propensity score matching analyses of survey data under different non-response mechanisms. Our main conclusions are: (i) whether the survey weights are incorporated in the estimation of the propensity score does not impact estimation of the population treatment effect, as long as good population treated-comparison balance is achieved on confounders, (ii) survey weights must be used in the outcome analysis, and (iii) the transferring of survey weights (i.e., assigning the weights of the treated units to the comparison units matched to them) can be beneficial under certain non-response mechanisms. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Blastocyst classification systems used in Latin America: is a consensus possible?

PubMed Central

Puga-Torres, Tatiana; Blum-Rojas, Xavier; Blum-Narváez, Medardo

2017-01-01

Objective To identify different blastocyst classification systems used by embryologists in Latin American countries and evaluate the possibility of establishing a consensus among these countries. Methods An E-mail survey was carried out through the Latin American Network of Assisted Reproduction (REDLARA) aimed at embryologists from assisted reproduction centers in Latin countries. Results Sixty surveys were collected from 12 Latin American countries, of which 66.7% had >10years of professional practice as embryologists. Seven different blastocyst classification systems were reported, of which 5 have previously been described in the literature. Conclusion Although the group of embryologists surveyed use different blastocyst classification systems, most in this group consider that the embryo score system should be unified in their countries as well as in the region. PMID:28837032

Using Mixed-Mode Contacts in Client Surveys: Getting More Bang for Your Buck

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Israel, Glenn D.

2013-01-01

Surveys are commonly used in Extension to identify client needs or evaluate program outcomes. This article examines how available email addresses can be incorporated into mixed-mode procedures for surveys. When mail and email addresses are used to implement a sequence of email and postal invitations in a mixed-mode survey, response rates were…

Comparing Telephone versus Mail Dissemination of the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and System Survey (HCAHPS) among Patients with Low Literacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fike, Geraldine C.

2012-01-01

The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey (HCAHPS) is a standardized survey instrument used by many hospitals for the purpose of measuring patient's perspectives regarding care received during their hospitalization. The survey provides national benchmark information enabling consumers to make comparisons of…

Clinical patient registry recruitment and retention: a survey of patients in two chronic disease registries.

PubMed

Solomon, Daniel H; Shadick, Nancy A; Weinblatt, Michael E; Frits, Michelle; Iannaccone, Christine; Zak, Agnes; Korzenik, Joshua R

2017-04-17

The collection of routine clinical data in the setting of research registries can serve an important role in understanding real world care. However, relatively little is known about the patient experience in registries, motivating us to survey patients enrolled in two chronic disease registries. We conducted similar surveys in two disease-based registries based at one academic medical center in the US. One group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had been enrolled in a registry, and we focused on retention factors. In a second group of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) recently enrolled or considering enrollment, we examined factors that would influence their enrollment and willingness to answer frequent questionnaires and give biospecimens. The surveys were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the two cohorts were compared using nonparametric and chi-square tests. We received 150 (50%) completed surveys from RA and 169 (63%) from IBD patients. Mean age of subjects was 62 years in RA and 43 in IBD with more women respondents with RA (83%) than IBD (62%). The two groups described very similar factors as the top three motivations for participation: desire to help others, desire to improve care of own disease, and ease of volunteering. Preferred methods of surveying included mail, e-mail, but telephone was not favored; age was an important correlate of this preference. Respondents preferred surveys either every 1-3 months (28.7% RA and 55.0% IBD) or every 4-6 months (50.7% RA and 29.0% IBD). They differed in the preference for payment for answering surveys with 68.0% with RA answering that no payment was necessary but only 36.1% with IBD felt similarly. Patients engaged in clinical registries demonstrate a high level of commitment to improve care and many report a willingness to answer questions relatively frequently.

Exemplary Youth Employment Programs Survey Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Geldof, Dick J.; And Others

Service Delivery Areas (SDAs) and Private Industry Councils (PICs) were surveyed concerning their implementation of Exemplary Youth Employment Programs described in Section 205 of the Job Training Partnership Act. Surveys were mailed to over 500 agencies. Of the 219 responding agencies, 77 percent were operating at least one Exemplary Youth…

Current IT Issues Survey Report, 2006

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dewey, Barbara I.; DeBlois, Peter B.

2006-01-01

This year marks the seventh annual EDUCAUSE Current Issues Survey to identify what campus information technology (IT) leaders see as their most critical IT challenges. Thirty-seven percent (628) of the 1,708 EDUCAUSE primary member representatives responded to an e-mail invitation to complete the Web-based survey in December 2005. Survey…

Growing Partnerships: Head Start Collaboration in Illinois, September 2002.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ruther, Gina; Gilmore, Gennie; Rich, Vanessa; Conley, Kimberly

This report synthesizes information from public record documents and comments from Early/Head Start program directors and activities from the Illinois Head Start Collaboration Office. Data were obtained from more than 101 mail survey responses from early childhood providers, 38 phone narrative/anecdotal surveys, more than 50 telephone surveys, and…

An Evaluation of Project Learning Tree in British Columbia, 1980-81.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Conry, Robert F.; Jeroski, Sharon F.

Evaluation of Project Learning Tree (PLT) involved a survey of PLT's utilization in British Columbia and the field experiment. The survey included participant observers' reports on PLT teacher training workshops, a mail survey of workshop participants, and telephone interviews with selected respondents. Two treatment conditions were effected at…

75 FR 39272 - Call for Nominations to the National Geospatial Advisory Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-08

... DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. Geological Survey Call for Nominations to the National Geospatial Advisory Committee AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey, Interior. ACTION: Call for Nominations, National... mail to John Mahoney, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior, 909 First Avenue, Suite...

No correlation between stroke specialty and rate of shoulder pain in NCAA men swimmers

PubMed Central

Wymore, Lucas; Reeve, Robert E.; Chaput, Christopher D.

2012-01-01

Purpose: To established an association between shoulder pain and the stroke specialization among NCAA men swimmers. Materials and Methods: All members of the top 25 NCAA men's swim teams were invited to complete the survey. Eleven teams with a total of 187 participants completed the study survey. The teams were mailed surveys that included multiple choice questions regarding their primary stroke and their incidence of shoulder pain. Additionally, the survey included questions about risk factors including distance trained, type of equipment, weight training, and stretching. Results: The analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the rates of shoulder pain among the four strokes and individual medley specialists. The other risk factors did not show a significant correlation with shoulder pain. Conclusions: This study found no significant correlation between stroke specialty and shoulder pain in male collegiate swimmers. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Clinical Relevance: Descriptive epidemiology study. PMID:23204760

Promoting a bicycle-friendly environment: community assessment and action.

PubMed

Sharpe, Patricia; Burroughs, Erika; Hooker, Steven; Pekuri, Linda; Blumberg, Catherine; Hutto, Brent

2011-01-01

Researchers and community coalition members collected survey data and used it to guide production of an educational video promoting a bicycle-friendly environment. Telephone and mailed surveys were conducted among bicyclists and motorists for needs assessment. A sample of 173 bicyclists completed a mailed survey (response rate of 87.0%), and a sample of 801 motorists completed a telephone survey (response rate of 42.1%). Findings guided video production. Most motorists understood that bicyclists have a right to ride in the road, but about one half believed bicyclists create a hazard, even when they follow traffic laws. Bicyclists expressed safety concerns and felt threatened by motorists. Both motorists' and bicyclists' knowledge of traffic rules varied across the items. This project illustrates how community members can apply research findings to an educational video of high quality with local relevance. The leadership from community members in making the video set the foundation for local ownership.

Parents' experiences with and preferences for immunization reminder/recall technologies.

PubMed

Clark, Sarah J; Butchart, Amy; Kennedy, Allison; Dombkowski, Kevin J

2011-11-01

To describe parents' experiences and preferences regarding the use of different communication modes for immunization reminder/recall messages. A cross-sectional, Internet-based survey of a nationally representative sample of parents of children 0 to 17 years of age was performed. Survey items included questions regarding previous receipt of reminder/recall notices; preferences for how to receive notices in the future; recentness of changes to home address, home telephone, cell phone, and e-mail information; child's usual site for immunization; and willingness to register cell phone numbers with the child's immunization provider to receive future cell phone or text messages about immunization. Overall, 31% of parents had ever received an immunization reminder/recall notice, usually by mail. For future immunization messages, approximately one-third of parents preferred mail or calls to the home telephone, 16% preferred e-mail, and 8% preferred calls to a cell phone. More than one-half of parents had maintained the same home address, home telephone number, cell phone number, or e-mail address for the previous 3 years. More than one-half of parents were willing to register their cell phone numbers with their child's usual immunization provider. Although most parents continue to prefer the traditional modes for immunization reminder/recall messages, 1 in 4 preferred newer technologies, and parents' e-mail and cell phone information was surprisingly stable. More than one-half of the parents were willing to register their cell phone numbers for future immunization messaging via cell phone calls or text messages. Research and implementation efforts might benefit from focusing on this willing population.

Social Networking Versus Facebook Advertising to Recruit Survey Respondents: A Quasi-Experimental Study

PubMed Central

Kypri, Kypros; Bourke, Jesse

2014-01-01

Background Increasingly, social contact and knowledge of other people’s attitudes and behavior are mediated by online social media such as Facebook. The main research to which this recruitment study pertains investigates the influence of parents on adolescent alcohol consumption. Given the pervasiveness of online social media use, Facebook may be an effective means of recruitment and intervention delivery. Objective The objective of the study was to determine the efficacy of study recruitment via social networks versus paid advertising on Facebook. Methods We conducted a quasi-experimental sequential trial with response rate as the outcome, and estimates of cost-effectiveness. The target population was parents of 13-17 year old children attending high schools in the Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia. Recruitment occurred via: method (1) social recruitment using Facebook, email-based, social networks, and media coverage followed by method (2) Facebook advertising. Results Using a range of online and other social network approaches only: method (1) 74 parents were recruited to complete a survey over eight months, costing AUD58.70 per completed survey. After Facebook advertising: method (2) 204 parents completed the survey over four weeks, costing AUD5.94 per completed survey. Participants were representative of the parents recruited from the region’s schools using standard mail and email. Conclusions Facebook advertising is a cost-effective means of recruiting parents, a group difficult to reach by other methods. PMID:25230740

Utilization of communication technology by patients enrolled in substance abuse treatment.

PubMed

McClure, Erin A; Acquavita, Shauna P; Harding, Emily; Stitzer, Maxine L

2013-04-01

Technology-based applications represent a promising method for providing efficacious, widely available interventions to substance abuse treatment patients. However, limited access to communication technology (i.e., mobile phones, computers, internet, and e-mail) could significantly impact the feasibility of these efforts, and little is known regarding technology utilization in substance abusing populations. A survey was conducted to characterize utilization of communication technology in 266 urban, substance abuse treatment patients enrolled at eight drug-free, psychosocial or opioid-replacement therapy clinics. Survey participants averaged 41 years of age and 57% had a yearly household income of less than $15,000. The vast majority reported access to a mobile phone (91%), and to SMS text messaging (79%). Keeping a consistent mobile phone number and yearly mobile contract was higher for White participants, and also for those with higher education, and enrolled in drug-free, psychosocial treatment. Internet, e-mail, and computer use was much lower (39-45%), with younger age, higher education and income predicting greater use. No such differences existed for the use of mobile phones however. Concern regarding the digital divide for marginalized populations appears to be disappearing with respect to mobile phones, but still exists for computer, internet, and e-mail access and use. Results suggest that mobile phone and texting applications may be feasibly applied for use in program-client interactions in substance abuse treatment. Careful consideration should be given to frequent phone number changes, access to technology, and motivation to engage with communication technology for treatment purposes. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Therapeutic interventions employed by Greater Toronto Area chiropractors on pregnant patients: results of a cross-sectional online survey

PubMed Central

Yuen, Tammy; Wells, Kayla; Benoit, Samantha; Yohanathan, Sahila; Capelletti, Lauren; Stuber, Kent

2013-01-01

Introduction: Due to different biomechanical, nutritional, and hormonal considerations, it is possible that chiropractors may employ different therapeutic interventions and recommendations for pregnant patients than non-pregnant ones. The objective of this study was to determine the therapeutic interventions that chiropractors who are members of the Ontario Chiropractic Association in the Greater Toronto Area most commonly provide to pregnant patients. Methods: An introductory e-mail was sent in October 2011 to 755 members of the Ontario Chiropractic Association within the Greater Toronto Area five days prior to a 15 question survey being distributed via e-mail. Reminder e-mails were sent 13 days and 27 days later. Using descriptive statistics, demographic information was reported along with reported use of different treatments and recommendations for pregnant patients Results: A response rate of 23% was obtained. The majority of the respondents (90%) reported using the Diversified technique on pregnant patients, followed by soft tissue therapy (62%) and Activator (42%). The most common adjunctive therapy recommended to pregnant patients was referral to massage therapy (90%). Most of the respondents (92%) indicated that they prescribe stretching exercises to pregnant patients and recommend a multivitamin (84%) or folic acid (81%) to pregnant patients. Conclusion: In agreement with previous research on chiropractic technique usage on non-pregnant patients, the majority of respondents indicated treating pregnant patients with the Diversified technique, with other chiropractic techniques being utilized at varying rates on pregnant patients. Most respondents indicated prescribing exercise, and making adjunctive and nutritional recommendations frequently for their pregnant patients. PMID:23754858

Report of Interest in an Intramural Program. Volume XX, No. 7.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ryan, J.; Lucas, J.

In fall 1991, a study was conducted at William Rainey Harper College (WRHC), in Palatine, Illinois, to determine the level of interest in a new sports intramural program (IP). Surveys were mailed to a random sample of 600 degree credit students, out of a total population of 15,418 such students. After two mailings and a prompting follow-up, a…

76 FR 6430 - Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Marine Geophysical Survey in the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-04

..., 2008). In most cases, the avoidance radii for delphinids appear to be small, on the order of one km... derived TTS information for odontocetes from studies on the bottlenose dolphin and beluga. For the one... responsible for e-mail comments sent to addresses other than the one provided here. Comments sent via e-mail...

What Is Going on in Physical Education and Athletics in Junior and Community Colleges Today.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stier, William F., Jr.

A national investigation was conducted in 1983 which sought to determine the status of physical education faculty in two year institutions of higher education. A survey instrument was developed and mailed to 300 randomly selected two year colleges within the United States. The mailing generated a usable response of 174 questionnaires. This report…

76 FR 9046 - Non-Use Valuation Survey, Klamath Basin; Thirty-Day Notice Requesting Additional Public Comments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-16

... 10/90 split. The first wave of mailings will be to 10% of the households. Each household will receive... preliminary analysis. The second wave of mailings will be to the remaining 90% of the households. Each... collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including...

Patient Satisfaction Survey, 1989-1990

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-07-01

Health Association of America was helpful in providing the GHAA Consumer Satisfaction Survey items. iv PATIENT SATISFACTION SURVEY Background The patient ...Ware, J. E., Jr. (1988). Involving consumers in quality of care assessment. Health Affairs, 2, 33-48. Fisher, A. W. (1971). Patients ’ evaluation of...of America (GHAA) Consumer Satisfaction Survey. Patient Satisfaction Surveys were mailed to 9,000 eligible beneficiaries at 37 Army medical treatment

Characterization of food waste generators: a Hawaii case study.

PubMed

Okazaki, W K; Turn, S Q; Flachsbart, P G

2008-12-01

Information on food waste disposal and on recycling methods and recycled amounts is reported. Data were obtained from a mail and phone survey of all licensed food establishments in Hawaii conducted in 2004 and 2005. Of 8253 licensed food establishments, 5033 completed surveys. It was found that relationships exist between food establishment size (measured by the number of meals served per day or the number of employees) and the amount of food an establishment recycled; establishment type and recycling behavior; and establishment type and amount recycled. The amount of food waste recycled in the state of Hawaii was estimated to be 264,000 L/day and annual food waste generation was estimated to be 336,000 tonnes.

Surveying ourselves: examining the use of a web-based approach for a physician survey.

PubMed

Matteson, Kristen A; Anderson, Britta L; Pinto, Stephanie B; Lopes, Vrishali; Schulkin, Jay; Clark, Melissa A

2011-12-01

A survey was distributed, using a sequential mixed-mode approach, to a national sample of obstetrician-gynecologists. Differences between responses to the web-based mode and the on-paper mode were compared to determine if there were systematic differences between respondents. Only two differences in respondents between the two modes were identified. University-based physicians were more likely to complete the web-based mode than private practice physicians. Mail respondents reported a greater volume of endometrial ablations compared to online respondents. The web-based mode had better data quality than the paper-based mailed mode in terms of less missing and inappropriate responses. Together, these findings suggest that, although a few differences were identified, the web-based survey mode attained adequate representativeness and improved data quality. Given the metrics examined for this study, exclusive use of web-based data collection may be appropriate for physician surveys with a minimal reduction in sample coverage and without a reduction in data quality.

A geographic analysis of the status of mountain lions in Oklahoma

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pike, J.R.; Shaw, J.H.; Leslie, David M.; Shaw, M.G.

1999-01-01

The geographic distribution of sightings and sign of mountain lions (Puma concolor) in Oklahoma was investigated. Mail survey questionnaires were sent to natural resource professionals throughout Oklahoma to gather temporal and spatial information on sightings of mountain lions from 1985 to 1995. We used a geographic information system (GIS) to compare locations of sightings and sign in the state with ecoregions, deer harvest, human population densities, locations of licensed owners and breeders of mountain lions, and generalized topography. Sightings and sign of mountain lions occurred significantly more often in the Central Rolling Red Plains than elsewhere in the state. Sightings of mountain lions increased with total deer harvest statewide (R2=0.828, P<0.001). Numbers of sightings of mountain lions were correlated negatively with density of the human population (R2=0.885, P=0.017). Surveys are a valuable method to assess the status of rare wildlife species when other methods are not available and when those receiving the survey are qualified.

An online survey of chiropractors' opinions of continuing education

PubMed Central

Stuber, Kent J; Grod, Jaroslaw P; Smith, Dean L; Powers, Paul

2005-01-01

Background Continuing Education (CE) for chiropractors is mandatory for licensure in most North American jurisdictions. Numerous chiropractic colleges have begun collaborating with universities to offer master's degree programs. Distance education master's degree programs may be desirable to allow full-time practicing doctors to further their post-graduate education. The present survey sought to answer three questions. First, what is the level of satisfaction of chiropractors with their continuing education? Second, what is the level of interest of chiropractors in online master's degree programs? Lastly, what is the response rate of chiropractors to an online survey? Methods An online survey consisting of 22 multiple choice questions was e-mailed to 1000 chiropractors randomly selected from the mailing list of an online chiropractic newsletter. Upon completion of the questionnaire, participants' answers were saved on a secure site. Data analysis included evaluation of the demographic characteristics of the respondents, their opinions of and patterns of taking CE including online education, preferred learning formats, and their interest in proposed online master's degree programs. A survey response rate was determined. Results Nearly 86% of respondents felt their previously completed CE courses were either somewhat or extremely satisfactory. Over ninety percent of respondents who had completed online or distance CE coursesfound them to be somewhat or extremelysatisfactory. Almost half the respondents indicated that they most preferred online distance learning, while 34.08% most preferred face-to-face interaction. Fifty-three percent of respondents indicated an interest in starting a master's degree program; however 70.46% of respondents were interested in an online master's degree program that would offer CE credit. A response rate of 35.8% was obtained. Conclusion Satisfaction among chiropractors with CE programs is high. The notion of completing a part-time online master's degree (or online combined with face-to-face interaction) appears to be popular among respondents, with a M.Sc. in Chiropractic Sciences being the most popular of those mentioned. Online surveys are a viable method of obtaining opinion in a cost and time efficient manner; there are some sources of bias involved in this type of research, and numerous steps need to be taken to obtain a suitable response rate. PMID:16242035

Reaching young adult smokers through the Internet: Comparison of three recruitment mechanisms

PubMed Central

Hall, Sharon M.; Prochaska, Judith J.

2010-01-01

Introduction: While young adults have the highest prevalence of cigarette smoking of any adult age group, studies of tobacco and other substance use have reported challenges in recruiting this age group. The Internet may be a useful tool for reaching young adult smokers. The present study compared three Internet-based recruitment methods for young adult smokers to complete a survey about tobacco and other substance use: Craigslist advertisements, other Internet advertisements, and E-mail invitations through a survey sampling service. Methods: Recruitment campaigns invited young adults aged 18–25 years who had smoked at least one cigarette in the past 30 days to complete an online survey. Recruitment methods were compared across recruitment numbers, costeffectiveness, and demographic and smoking characteristics of recruited participants. Results: In 6 months, 920 people gave online consent to determine eligibility to complete the survey, of which 336 (36.5%) were eligible, and 201 (59.8%) completed the survey. While Internet advertisements yielded the largest proportion of recruited participants and completed surveys overall, Craigslist and sampling strategies were more successful at targeting young adult smokers who went on to complete the survey and were more costeffective. Participants differed in demographic and substance use characteristics across the three recruitment mechanisms. Discussion: We identified success at reaching young adults who have smoked cigarettes recently through the Internet, though costs, participant eligibility, proportion of completed surveys, and respondent characteristics differed among the three methods. A multipronged approach to Internet recruitment is most likely to generate a broad diverse sample of young adult smokers. PMID:20530194

Desktop document delivery using portable document format (PDF) files and the Web.

PubMed Central

Shipman, J P; Gembala, W L; Reeder, J M; Zick, B A; Rainwater, M J

1998-01-01

Desktop access to electronic full-text literature was rated one of the most desirable services in a client survey conducted by the University of Washington Libraries. The University of Washington Health Sciences Libraries (UW HSL) conducted a ten-month pilot test from August 1996 to May 1997 to determine the feasibility of delivering electronic journal articles via the Internet to remote faculty. Articles were scanned into Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) files and delivered to individuals using Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) standard e-mail attachments and the Web. Participants retrieved scanned articles and used the Adobe Acrobat Reader software to view and print files. The pilot test required a special programming effort to automate the client notification and file deletion processes. Test participants were satisfied with the pilot test despite some technical difficulties. Desktop delivery is now offered as a routine delivery method from the UW HSL. PMID:9681165

Desktop document delivery using portable document format (PDF) files and the Web.

PubMed

Shipman, J P; Gembala, W L; Reeder, J M; Zick, B A; Rainwater, M J

1998-07-01

Desktop access to electronic full-text literature was rated one of the most desirable services in a client survey conducted by the University of Washington Libraries. The University of Washington Health Sciences Libraries (UW HSL) conducted a ten-month pilot test from August 1996 to May 1997 to determine the feasibility of delivering electronic journal articles via the Internet to remote faculty. Articles were scanned into Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) files and delivered to individuals using Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) standard e-mail attachments and the Web. Participants retrieved scanned articles and used the Adobe Acrobat Reader software to view and print files. The pilot test required a special programming effort to automate the client notification and file deletion processes. Test participants were satisfied with the pilot test despite some technical difficulties. Desktop delivery is now offered as a routine delivery method from the UW HSL.

The role and contributions of geriatric care managers: care recipients' views.

PubMed

Ortiz, Judith; Horne, Mary Ann

2013-01-01

To assess the value of geriatric care management (GCM) services from the perspective of individuals who receive the care--the "care recipients." The opinions of these older adults-the current users of GCM services--were investigated by means of a cross-sectional mail survey. The study setting was the home of the care recipient of GCM services. This cross-sectional descriptive study applied survey research design. Survey questions were developed related to the following themes about the GCM role and function: (1) overall role, (2) health assistance function, (3) community resources assistance function, (4) advocacy function, and (5) contribution to the care recipients' quality of life. Survey questionnaires were distributed to 179 care recipients of member organizations of the Florida Geriatric Care Management Association. The questionnaires were distributed by mail during the spring of 2012. A second mailing was completed in the fall of 2012. The survey results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The care recipient survey respondents most frequently described the role of their GCMs as one of a health care professional. The respondents more frequently described the GCM as providing a health assistance and advocacy function. They indicated that the GCM greatly contributed to their quality of life. Geriatric care managers appear to be very valuable in assisting their clients with critical health-related situations, as well as with more routine health care matters. Not only are they called upon to assist with health care emergencies and their clients' hospital stays but they also appear to serve an important role in facilitating physician-patient communications during the care recipient's routine visits to the doctor's office.

Medical devices made into weapons by prisoners: an unrecognized risk.

PubMed

Hayden, J W; Laney, C; Kellermann, A L

1995-12-01

The alteration of a knee immobilizer into a sharp weapon by a prisoner prompted us to survey neighboring penal institutions to determine the frequency of such events. We mailed a nine-item survey to all detention facilities in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. A second survey was sent to nonresponding institutions 6 weeks after the initial mailing. The Regional Medical Center at Memphis, the designated facility for evaluation and treatment of prisoners from the county jail and state penitentiary. Survey respondents included 25 state penitentiaries, 31 county jails, 1 state minimum-security facility, 1 state maximum-security facility, 1 work-release center, 1 county detention center for drunken-driving offenders, and 1 federal penitentiary. Of the 81 institutions surveyed, 77% responded to one of the two mailings. Forty percent responded in the affirmative when asked whether stolen or unauthorized medical equipment from outside their institutions had been discovered among inmates. When respondents were questioned as to whether medical equipment, prescribed or not, had been used or altered in a criminal manner, 34% responded "yes." Medications and medical appliances were listed in the responses. A survey of 81 local and neighboring penal institutions in a three-state area revealed that the illicit use of medicine and medical devices by prisoners is a legitimate safety concern of prison personnel and health care workers when medical care for inmates must be sought outside the security of their institutions. The modification of medical equipment into weapons by incarcerated patients, although clearly recognized as a security and safety problem by police authorities, appears to be unappreciated by health care workers providing episodic care to inmates.

Reaching young adult smokers through the internet: comparison of three recruitment mechanisms.

PubMed

Ramo, Danielle E; Hall, Sharon M; Prochaska, Judith J

2010-07-01

While young adults have the highest prevalence of cigarette smoking of any adult age group, studies of tobacco and other substance use have reported challenges in recruiting this age group. The Internet may be a useful tool for reaching young adult smokers. The present study compared three Internet-based recruitment methods for young adult smokers to complete a survey about tobacco and other substance use: Craigslist advertisements, other Internet advertisements, and E-mail invitations through a survey sampling service. Recruitment campaigns invited young adults aged 18-25 years who had smoked at least one cigarette in the past 30 days to complete an online survey. Recruitment methods were compared across recruitment numbers, costeffectiveness, and demographic and smoking characteristics of recruited participants. In 6 months, 920 people gave online consent to determine eligibility to complete the survey, of which 336 (36.5%) were eligible, and 201 (59.8%) completed the survey. While Internet advertisements yielded the largest proportion of recruited participants and completed surveys overall, Craigslist and sampling strategies were more successful at targeting young adult smokers who went on to complete the survey and were more costeffective. Participants differed in demographic and substance use characteristics across the three recruitment mechanisms. We identified success at reaching young adults who have smoked cigarettes recently through the Internet, though costs, participant eligibility, proportion of completed surveys, and respondent characteristics differed among the three methods. A multipronged approach to Internet recruitment is most likely to generate a broad diverse sample of young adult smokers.

Telephone follow-up to a mail survey: when to offer an interview compared to a reminder call.

PubMed

Ziegenfuss, Jeanette Y; Burmeister, Kelly R; Harris, Ann; Holubar, Stefan D; Beebe, Timothy J

2012-03-20

Using a different mode of contact on the final follow-up to survey non-respondents is an identified strategy to increase response rates. This study was designed to determine if a reminder phone call or a phone interview as a final mode of contact to a mailed survey works better to increase response rates and which strategy is more cost effective. A randomized study was embedded within a survey study of individuals treated with ulcerative colitis conducted in March 2009 in Olmsted County, Minnesota. After two mail contacts, non-respondents were randomly assigned to either a reminder telephone call or a telephone interview. Average cost per completed interview and response rates were compared between the two experimental conditions. The response rate in the reminder group and the interview did not differ where we considered both a completed survey and a signed form a complete (24% vs. 29%, p = 0.08). However, if such a signed form was not required, there was a substantial advantage to completing the interview over the phone (24% vs. 43%, p < 0.0001). The reminder group on average cost $27.00 per completed survey, while the interview group on average cost $53.00 per completed survey when a signed form was required and $36.00 per complete when a signed form was not required. The additional cost of completing an interview is worth it when an additional signed form is not required of the respondent. However, when such a signed form is required, offering an interview instead of a reminder phone call as a follow up to non-respondents does not increase response rates enough to outweigh the additional costs.

Telephone CPR Instructions in Emergency Dispatch Systems: Qualitative Survey of 911 Call Centers.

PubMed

Sutter, John; Panczyk, Micah; Spaite, Daniel W; Ferrer, Jose Maria E; Roosa, Jason; Dameff, Christian; Langlais, Blake; Murphy, Ryan A; Bobrow, Bentley J

2015-09-01

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of death. The 2010 American Heart Association Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) Guidelines recognize emergency dispatch as an integral component of emergency medical service response to OHCA and call for all dispatchers to be trained to provide telephone cardiopulmonary resuscitation (T-CPR) pre-arrival instructions. To begin to measure and improve this critical intervention, this study describes a nationwide survey of public safety answering points (PSAPs) focusing on the current practices and resources available to provide T-CPR to callers with the overall goal of improving survival from OHCA. We conducted this survey in 2010, identifying 5,686 PSAPs; 3,555 had valid e-mail addresses and were contacted. Each received a preliminary e-mail announcing the survey, an e-mail with a link to the survey, and up to three follow-up e-mails for non-responders. The survey contained 23 primary questions with sub-questions depending on the response selected. Of the 5,686 identified PSAPs in the United States, 3,555 (63%) received the survey, with 1,924/3,555 (54%) responding. Nearly all were public agencies (n=1,888, 98%). Eight hundred seventy-eight (46%) responding agencies reported that they provide no instructions for medical emergencies, and 273 (14%) reported that they are unable to transfer callers to another facility to provide T-CPR. Of the 1,924 respondents, 975 (51%) reported that they provide pre-arrival instructions for OHCA: 67 (3%) provide compression-only CPR instructions, 699 (36%) reported traditional CPR instructions (chest compressions with rescue breathing), 166 (9%) reported some other instructions incorporating ventilations and compressions, and 92 (5%) did not specify the type of instructions provided. A validation follow up showed no substantial difference in the provision of instructions for OHCA by non-responders to the survey. This is the first large-scale, nationwide assessment of the practices of PSAPs in the United States regarding T-CPR for OHCA. These data showing that nearly half of the nation's PSAPs do not provide T-CPR for OHCA, and very few PSAPs provide compression-only instructions, suggest that there is significant potential to improve the implementation of this critical link in the chain of survival for OHCA.

Reaching Asian Americans: sampling strategies and incentives.

PubMed

Lee, Soo-Kyung; Cheng, Yu-Yao

2006-07-01

Reaching and recruiting representative samples of minority populations is often challenging. This study examined in Chinese and Korean Americans: 1) whether using two different sampling strategies (random sampling vs. convenience sampling) significantly affected characteristics of recruited participants and 2) whether providing different incentives in the mail survey produced different response rates. We found statistically significant, however mostly not remarkable, differences between random and convenience samples. Offering monetary incentives in the mail survey improved response rates among Chinese Americans, while offering a small gift did not improve response rates among either Chinese or Korean Americans. This information will be useful for researchers and practitioners working with Asian Americans.

Pharmacologic behavior management of pediatric dental patients diagnosed with attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

PubMed

Kerins, Carolyn A; McWhorter, Alton G; Seale, N Sue

2007-01-01

The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey of Texas pediatric dentists to determine: (1) the percentage of patients they treat with attention deficit disorder (ADD)/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); (2) the behavior management techniques that are utilized to treat their patients who suffer from ADD/ADHD; and (3) the relative success rates of these techniques in their practices. A 17-question, single-answer, multiple choice survey was mailed to 343 Texas pediatric dentists. The mailing list was obtained from American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and Texas Academy of Pediatric Dentistry member rosters. One mailing was sent, including a self-addressed stomped envelope, for returned responses. A 54% response rate (186 surveys) revealed that nitrous oxide was the most frequently used pharmacologic behavior management technique; however, demerol/promethazine/nitrous oxide was rated as effective most often for treating ADD/ADHD patients. Practitioners believe the incidence of attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is increasing, and they are familiar with the medications used to treat the conditions. Texas pediatric dentists are using a variety of sedation techniques and are interested in developing guidelines for sedation of these patients.

The Effect of Alternative E-Mail Contact Timing Strategies on Response Rates in a Self-Administered Web Survey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lewis, Taylor; Hess, Karl

2017-01-01

The Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey is an annual survey of over 800,000 permanently employed civilian personnel from 87 agencies. First administered in 2002, the web-based survey measures a broad range of employee perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors, serving as a valuable tool for human resources managers to determine which aspects of an…

77 FR 71600 - Medicare Program; Request for Information To Aid in the Design and Development of a Survey...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-03

...] Medicare Program; Request for Information To Aid in the Design and Development of a Survey Regarding... from emergency room to inpatient care). Having a rigorous, well-designed emergency department survey... this solicitation, please reply via email to CMS ED_Survey@cms.hhs.gov or by postal mail at Centers for...

Impact of Monetary Incentives and Mailing Procedures: An Experiment in a Federally Sponsored Telephone Survey. Methodology Report. NCES 2006-066

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brick, J. Michael; Hagedorn, Mary Collins; Montaquila, Jill; Roth, Shelley Brock; Chapman, Christopher

2006-01-01

The National Household Education Surveys Program (NHES) includes a series of random digit dial (RDD) surveys developed by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. It is designed to collect information on important educational issues through telephone surveys of…

Survey of Librarians Using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (Form G Self-Scorable).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johns, Alan

A survey conducted in February 1990 asked 100 librarians to respond to a mailed Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a widely used personality survey that determines Jungian personality types. The results of the MBTI can be applied to building work teams in the library. Forty-eight librarians responded to the survey. Their responses were tallied…

The Vermont Survey of Employer Receptivity to Wage Subsidy Programs in the Private Sector.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cashman, John R.; Mattson, Robert E.

The Vermont study details employer responses to a two-phase survey designed to gauge employer receptivity to the use of wage subsidies in the private sector. The "mail survey" obtained from a sample of 1,084 employers (of whom 71% responded) elicited responses to a limited number of questions, while the "face-to-face survey"…

Austin Community College Employee Satisfaction Survey, Spring 2000: Results and Analysis.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oburn, Martha L.

Austin Community College mailed an Employee Satisfaction Survey in spring 2000 to 2,903 employees. The survey form asked respondents to rate college-wide and/or campus services that they had requested or received during the past year in terms of promptness, quality, attitude and overall service. The overall survey return rate was 15.4%, but rates…

NASA/DOD Aerospace Knowledge Diffusion Research Project. Paper 3: The impact of a sponsor letter on mail survey response rates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kennedy, John M.; Pinelli, Thomas E.

1990-01-01

We describe the impact of two interventions in the design of mail surveys. The interventions were devised to increase response rates and to clarify sample eligibility. To test their effectiveness, the interventions occurred at different points in each of three surveys. One intervention was a letter from the research sponsor (NASA) supporting the research. The other intervention was the inclusion of a postcard that could be used by the respondent to indicate that the questionnaire was not appropriate for him/her. The sample was drawn from the membership of a professional aerospace research society, the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Scientists and engineers are difficult to survey for two reasons. First, there are significant problems with the definition of scientists and engineers. Second, typically there are low response rates in surveys of this group. These two problems were found in the NASA surveys. The results indicate that the sponsor letter improved response rates under certain conditions described here. The postcards assisted in identifying non-eligible persons, particularly when the postcards accompanied a pre-survey letter. The implications for survey costs are discussed.

Assessing outcomes of industrial hygiene graduate education.

PubMed

Brosseau, Lisa; Fredrickson, Ann

2009-05-01

To ensure that industrial hygiene professionals continue to be prepared for current and future trends, it is important to regularly assess the value of their education. Described here are the results of discussions with employers and a mailed survey of graduates. Comparisons are made with past mailed surveys of both groups. Two sets of discussions were held in late 2005 with employers of industrial hygienists and other health and safety professionals. Twenty-eight participants were asked to discuss current and future needs for professionals in their organization and economic sector, their expectations for knowledge and skills when hiring professionals, methods for finding and hiring, and the importance of ABET accreditation. At the same time, a survey was mailed to 71 industrial hygiene students graduating in the last 15 years. Respondents were asked to rank the value of and their proficiency in 42 competencies. Questions also assessed employment experience, certification, the importance of ABET accreditation, and demographic characteristics. There was a lot of agreement between the two stakeholder groups (employers and graduates) about the most important skill and knowledge areas. Most employers identified communicating effectively and exposure assessment among the most important skills, with designing and initiating research as among the least. Hazard recognition, exposure measurement principles, and personal protective equipment were the most highly ranked knowledge areas. Employers discussed the need for good "business skills" such as teamwork, communication, and project management, and the importance of problem-solving skills. Graduates reported that skills in the areas of recognition, evaluation, and control were most valuable in their first jobs and generally reported high levels of proficiency in these skill areas. There was a similar dichotomy in opinions about accreditation within each stakeholder group. The reputation of the academic program was important when making hiring decisions; accreditation became an important factor only when a program's reputation was not known. Graduates strongly supported ongoing accreditation but did not apply or attend on the basis of accreditation.

The Pervasiveness and Impact of Electronic Communication Technologies in Organizations: A Survey of Major American Corporations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hellweg, Susan A.; And Others

A survey of the Fortune 500 corporations was conducted to ascertain the pervasiveness and perceived impact of five electronic communication technologies (electronic mail, videotex, interactive computers, video teleconferencing, and word processing). Ninety-four corporations responded to a 53-item questionnaire and follow-up survey. Analysis of the…

Charter Schools...What Are They Up To? A 1995 Survey.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Education Commission of the States, Denver, CO.

This booklet presents findings of a study that gathered information about charter schools. Representatives of more than 170 public charter schools were surveyed by mail, telephone or at national and regional meetings. Approximately 120 surveys were returned by representatives of 110 charter public schools in seven states--California, Colorado,…

Financial Statistics of Institutions of Higher Education: Fiscal Year 1979. State Data.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brandt, Norman J.

Financial statistics of institutions of higher education were surveyed. The 14th annual Higher Education General Information Survey (HEGIS XIV) was mailed to all institutions listed in the Educational Directory, Colleges and Universities, 1978-79. Completed survey forms were received from 2,909 institutions (91.7 percent). Data were imputed for…

75 FR 20999 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Survey of Health Care Professionals' Awareness and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-22

... Request; Survey of Health Care Professionals' Awareness and Perceptions of the National Cancer Institute's... approval. Proposed Collection: Title: The Survey of Health Care Professionals' Awareness and Perceptions of... Respondents: Health care providers (AMA members who have allowed the use of their e-mail address). The annual...

Conducting Survey Research via the Internet.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rice, Margaret L.; Wright, Vivian H.; Cofield, Jay; Stokes, Suzanne P.; Wilson, Elizabeth K.

This guide to creating a survey to be administered on the Internet used Microsoft Access as the database program for the illustration. Forty-four steps in constructing the survey, including the Common Gateway Interface that moves the data collected in e-mails directly to the database, are outlined. The example developed by researchers at the…

50 CFR 86.115 - How should I administer the survey?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... (BIG) PROGRAM How States Will Complete Access Needs Surveys § 86.115 How should I administer the survey... methodology to collect data, which may include telephone, mail, fax, or other inventory means. We do not expect you to use automated, electronic, mechanical, or similar means of information collection. (d) Data...

50 CFR 86.115 - How should I administer the survey?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... (BIG) PROGRAM How States Will Complete Access Needs Surveys § 86.115 How should I administer the survey... methodology to collect data, which may include telephone, mail, fax, or other inventory means. We do not expect you to use automated, electronic, mechanical, or similar means of information collection. (d) Data...

Fifth Annual EDUCAUSE Survey Identifies Current IT Issues

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spicer, Donald Z.; DeBlois, Peter B.

2004-01-01

This year marks the fifth annual EDUCAUSE Current Issues Survey to identify what campus information technology leaders see as their most critical IT challenges. Thirty-five percent (571) of the 1,638 EDUCAUSE primary member representatives who were asked to participate responded to an e-mail invitation to complete the Web-based survey in December…

77 FR 35408 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request: Opinions and Perspectives About the Current Blood Donation...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-13

... the written comments supported the study goals and design as proposed. Three of the written comments... result, content pertaining to the sexual histories of survey respondents was expanded to inform the... Donor Study (REDS), when anonymously surveyed by paper and pencil mailed surveys, 1.2% of male blood...

An Analysis of Employee Skills Required by Employers in Wyoming.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baird, Mary; And Others

A survey of 177 employers of Wyoming vocational education graduates sought to identify skills and competencies the graduates needed. A random sample of 525 businesses both Wyoming-based and foreign (home-based outside of Wyoming) were mailed surveys; 267 survey forms were returned, but only 177 provided data for analysis. Findings indicated that…

The Five-Year Follow-Up Report: A Survey of 1986-1987 Graduates.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Arrowhead Community Coll. Region, Grand Rapids, MN.

In 1992, a survey was conducted of students who had graduated from the five colleges of the Arrowhead Community College Region (ACCR) during the 1986-87 academic year. Surveys were mailed to all 785 graduates, requesting information on their educational backgrounds, current employment, and assessment of their educational experience. Responses were…

How new subscribers use cancer-related online mailing lists.

PubMed

Rimer, Barbara K; Lyons, Elizabeth J; Ribisl, Kurt M; Bowling, J Michael; Golin, Carol E; Forlenza, Michael J; Meier, Andrea

2005-07-01

Online cancer-related support is an under-studied resource that may serve an important function in the information seeking, care, and support of cancer patients and their families. With over 9.8 million cancer survivors (defined as anyone living with cancer) in the United States alone and the number growing worldwide, it is important to understand how they seek and use online resources to obtain the information they need, when they need it, and in a form and manner appropriate to them. These are stated cancer communication goals of the US National Cancer Institute. Our purposes are to (1) present background information about online mailing lists and electronic support groups, (2) describe the rationale and methodology for the Health eCommunities (HeC) study, and (3) present preliminary baseline data on new subscribers to cancer-related mailing lists. In particular, we describe subscribers' use of mailing lists, their reasons for using them, and their reactions to participating shortly after joining the lists. From April to August 2004, we invited all new subscribers to 10 Association of Cancer Online Resources mailing lists to complete Web-based surveys. We analyzed baseline data from the respondents to examine their perceptions about cancer-related mailing lists and to describe how cancer patients and survivors used these lists in the period shortly after joining them. Cumulative email invitations were sent to 1368 new mailing list subscribers; 293 Web surveys were completed within the allotted time frame (21.4% response rate). Most respondents were over age 50 (n = 203, 72%), white (n = 286, 98%), college graduates (n = 161, 55%), and had health insurance (n = 283, 97%). About 41% (n = 116) of new subscribers reported spending 1 to 3 hours per day reading and responding to list messages. They used the mailing lists for several reasons. Among the most frequently reported, 62% (n = 179) strongly agreed they used mailing lists to obtain information on how to deal with cancer, 42% (n = 121) strongly agreed they used mailing lists for support, and 37% (n = 109) strongly agreed that they were on the mailing lists to help others. Smaller proportions of new subscribers strongly agreed that others on the mailing lists had similar cancer experiences (n = 23, 9%), that they could relate to the experiences of others on the lists (n = 66, 27%), and that others on the list gave them good ideas about how to cope with cancer (n = 66, 27%). Cancer-related online mailing lists appear to be an important resource, especially for information seeking but also for support of cancer survivors. These were the primary motivators most members reported for joining mailing lists. The modest proportion of subscribers who strongly agreed that they could relate to others' cancer experiences (as well as similar responses to other process questions) is undoubtedly due at least in part to the short duration that these subscribers were involved with the mailing lists. Emerging data, including our own, suggest that mailing lists are perhaps under-used by minority patients/survivors. These preliminary data add to a growing body of research on health-related online communities, of which online mailing lists are one variant.

Knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers related to research utilization: a survey among pharmacists in Malaysia.

PubMed

Tan, Sin Yee; Hatah, Ernieda

2017-04-01

Background Research utilization is part of evidence-based practice referring to the process of reviewing and critiquing scientific research and applying the findings to one's own clinical practice. Many studies on research utilization have been conducted with doctors and nurses, but to our knowledge, none have been investigated amongst pharmacists. Objective To assess research utilization and its barriers among pharmacists and identify potential influencing factors. Setting Malaysia. Methods This cross-sectional survey was administered online and by mail to a convenient sample of pharmacists working in hospitals, health clinics, and retail pharmacies in rural and urban areas. Main outcome measure Pharmacists' research utilization knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Results Six hundred surveys were mailed to potential respondents, and 466 were returned (77.7% response rate). Twenty-eight respondents completed the survey online. The respondents' research utilization knowledge, attitudes, and practices were found to be moderate. Research utilization was associated with respondents' knowledge and attitude scores (P < 0.001). When factors related to research utilization were modelled, higher educational level was associated with higher level of research utilization (P < 0.001) while less involvement in journal clubs, more years of service (3-7 years and more than 7 years) were associated with low and moderate research utilization, respectively. The main reported barrier to research utilization was lack of sufficient authority to change patient care procedures. Conclusion Pharmacists' research utilization knowledge, attitudes, and practices can be improved by encouraging pharmacists to pursue higher degrees, promoting active participation in institutions' journal clubs, and introducing senior clinical pharmacist specialization.

Attitudes and Opinions of Canadian Nephrologists Toward Continuous Quality Improvement Options.

PubMed

Iskander, Carina; McQuillan, Rory; Nesrallah, Gihad; Rabbat, Christian; Mendelssohn, David C

2017-01-01

A shift to holding individual physicians accountable for patient outcomes, rather than facilities, is intuitively attractive to policy makers and to the public. We were interested in nephrologists' attitudes to, and awareness of, quality metrics and how nephrologists would view a potential switch from the current model of facility-based quality measurement and reporting to publically available reports at the individual physician level. The study was conducted using a web-based survey instrument (Online Appendix 1). The survey was initially pilot tested on a group of 8 nephrologists from across Canada. The survey was then finalized and e-mailed to 330 nephrologists through the Canadian Society of Nephrology (CSN) e-mail distribution list. The 127 respondents were 80% university based, and 33% were medical/dialysis directors. The response rate was 43%. Results demonstrate that 89% of Canadian nephrologists are engaged in efforts to improve the quality of patient care. A minority of those surveyed (29%) had training in quality improvement. They feel accountable for this and would welcome the inclusion of patient-centered metrics of care quality. Support for public reporting as an effective strategy on an individual nephrologist level was 30%. Support for public reporting of individual nephrologist performance was low. The care of nephrology patients will be best served by the continued development of a critical mass of physicians trained in patient safety and quality improvement, by focusing on patient-centered metrics of care delivery, and by validating that all proposed new methods are shown to improve patient care and outcomes.

Engaging Agribusinesses: Feasibility and Cost of an ATV Safety Poster Project.

PubMed

Jennissen, Charles A; Sweat, Shane; Wetjen, Kristel; Hoogerwerf, Pam; Denning, Gerene M

2017-01-01

All-terrain vehicle (ATV)-related deaths and injuries continue to be a significant problem. Influential change agents such as agribusinesses could be important partners for improving safety behaviors among rural ATV users. Our objective was to determine how effectively an injury prevention project could engage agribusinesses through the postal service and to assess their willingness to display a safety poster. One thousand two hundred forty-four agribusinesses received an ATV safety poster and a postcard survey by mail. A randomized sampling of these businesses was surveyed by telephone 4-7 weeks later. Telephone survey questions included whether they recalled receiving the poster, and if so, whether, where and how long the poster was displayed. One hundred six postcards were returned. Of the 192 eligible business persons contacted by telephone, 89% agreed to participate. Approximately one-third of telephone survey participants recalled receiving the poster. Among these, 81% with walk-in customers posted it, and 74% still had it displayed 1 month later. Of participants who did not recall receiving the poster, 83% stated they would have displayed the poster. The cost of displaying each poster in a business was 16.6 cents/day during the first month. Final costs/day would be much less because of continued display. A high percentage of agribusinesses displayed or would have displayed an ATV safety poster, and most displayed it beyond 1 month. Unfortunately, participant recruitment via postal delivery alone was challenging. Nevertheless, mass mailing of injury prevention materials to be displayed in the retail setting may be a low cost method for raising safety awareness.

Health, education, work, and independence of young adults with disabilities.

PubMed

Blomquist, Kathleen B

2006-01-01

Healthy People 2010, the U.S. government's goal for a healthier nation, calls for improved data collection to understand the health status of relatively small population groups, such as young adults with disabilities. This study looks at the transition outcomes of graduates of pediatric systems of care for children with disabilities and chronic conditions. Young adult graduates of a state program for children with special healthcare needs and a specialty children's hospital were sent a mail survey that focused on their healthcare access and use, insurance status, health behaviors and perceptions, education, work, and markers of independent living. The survey was based on the , National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the U.S. Census and other surveys done by the state and hospital programs. Experts in healthcare and school-to-work transition of youth with special needs, health and labor economists, independent living center counselors, program administrators, nurses, social workers, and physicians offered ideas on various versions of the instrument that were piloted on youth before mailing to graduates. A follow-up mailing was sent to all those who did not respond to the first mailing. Results from the surveys of these young people with special healthcare needs are compared with data on typical young adults to determine the disparities. Mail surveys were sent to all patients aged 18 years and older at the time of their discharge in the preceding fiscal (state program) or calendar (children's hospital) year. The response rate was 51%. Ninety-one percent of the respondents were Whites and 61% were women, with a median age of 21.1 years; 69% reported independence in activities of daily living. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION/CLINICAL RESULTS: Eighty percent of graduates reported having a usual source of care, but 42% used the emergency room compared with 25% of typical young adults. Twenty-nine percent had no health insurance and only 11% had insurance through their work. Only 44% of respondents were working compared with 56% of all 19 year olds and 72% of 18-29 year olds in studies of typical youth; 67% of those not working wanted to work. One great concern is the 26% who are not working, in school, or at home with children. Nurses working with children, families, and young adults can use the information to improve pediatric and adult healthcare systems and collaborate with educational, independent living, and workforce development agencies to improve transition to adult roles and responsibilities for young people with disabilities.

Elevations and distances in the United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

,

2001-01-01

Further information about U.S. Geological Survey products can be obtained from: U.S. Geological Survey, Earth Science Information Center, 507 National Center, Reston, VA 20192 or phone 1-888-ASK-USGS, E-mail: ask@usgs.gov, TTY: 703-648-4119.

Assessment of pediatric residents burnout in a tertiary academic centre

PubMed Central

Jamjoom, Roaa S.; Park, Yoon S.

2018-01-01

Objectives: To study burnout among pediatric residents at King Abdulazaiz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey that was administered to all pediatric residents enrolled in the Saudi Paediatric Board program (PGY1-PGY4) in a large tertiary academic hospital in the Western region of Saudi Arabia (King Abdulaziz University Hospital). The survey were sent via E-mail to 50 registered general pediatric residents. Results: Seventy percent of the pediatric residents completed the survey. More than 70% of residents experiencing severe burnout. Forty-three percent suffering emotional exhaustion, 71.8% experiencing depersonalization and 40.6% suffering from low accomplishment. Conclusion: Burnout syndrome appear to be a serious threat to resident well-being in our program. Moreover, pediatric residents in our institute experienced higher levels of depersonalization than their peers nationally and internationally. PMID:29543309

German Deaf People Using Text Communication: Short Message Service, TTY, Relay Services, Fax, and E-Mail

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Power, Des; Power, Mary R.; Rehling, Bernd

2007-01-01

An online survey of German deaf people demonstrated that they use text communication through Short Message Service (SMS), e-mail, fax, and telephone typewriters (TTY) to communicate within communities of deaf and hearing people. SMS is used most, with more than 96% of respondents having access to a mobile phone. Most use is intrinsic and directed…

Does Mailing a Post Card to Students Improve Response Rates? Issue Brief

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moore, Raeal; Earnhart, Benjamin

2017-01-01

A random sample of students who took the ACT test in either April or June of 2016 were invited to participate in an online survey via an email invitation (N = 35,0471). To study whether mailing post card invitations to students improves response rates, a portion of these test-takers were randomly assigned to be sent a post card. In addition,…

Virtual Mobility in Reality: A Study of the Use of ICT in Finnish Leonardo da Vinci Mobility Projects.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Valjus, Sonja

An e-mail survey and interviews collected data on use of information and communications technology (ICT) in Finnish Leonardo da Vinci mobility projects from 2000-02. Findings showed that the most common ICT tools used were e-mail, digital tools, and the World Wide Web; ICT was used during all project phases; the most common problems concerned…

A survey of selected Internet pharmacies in the United States.

PubMed

Peterson, A M

2001-01-01

To determine whether differences in the provision of pharmacy services exist among different types of Internet pharmacies. Survey of selected pharmacies with a presence on the Internet. Data were abstracted onto a data collection form for further analysis. Data collection was limited to 3 weeks. U.S.-based Internet pharmacies that allow patients to purchase prescription medications online. Pharmacies were identified using a metasearch engine with the search terms "Internet pharmacy" and "Internet pharmacist." Survey. Comparisons of availability of 10 commonly used products representing a variety of product categories, prescription verification methods, and privacy issues; and determinations of site navigability, drug information and provider access, and payment methods. Sites were categorized as "chain pharmacy extensions," "mail order pharmacies," "independent pharmacy extensions," and "online pharmacies." Thirty-three sites were reviewed. There was significant variation among the four types of pharmacies selling prescriptions over the Internet. Most pharmacies provided all of the drugs in the survey. Patients were required to provide their own prescription at 88% of the sites, and 75% of sites used mail or fax to verify prescription integrity. More than 50% of sites had privacy policies posted, and 64% used cookies. Chain pharmacy extensions required completion of an average of 10.2 pages to order drugs versus 2.4 to 4 pages for all other site types. Drug information was written at an eighth-grade reading level at 36% of the sites. More than two-thirds of the sites provided a toll-free telephone for a health care professional. Nearly 80% of the sites accepted health insurance, and 95% accepted credit cards; however, only 40% used a secure transmission mechanism for patient or payment information. Internet pharmacies provide varying levels of service. Policies regarding the use of the Internet for obtaining medications should focus on improving the privacy of consumer information and ensuring the secure transmission of financial information.

Communication technologies and maternal interest in health-promotion information about postpartum weight and parenting practices.

PubMed

Walker, Lorraine O; Im, Eun-Ok; Vaughan, Misha W

2012-03-01

To describe postpartum women's access, perceived skill, confidence, and use of Internet and mobile technologies; their views about receiving health information about postpartum weight and parenting; and whether these factors varied by race/ethnicity or income level. Health survey of a stratified random sample. County in central Texas. One hundred forty-five (145) White/Anglo, African American, or Hispanic women of higher and lower income. Overall, 122 (84.1%) of respondents had access to a computer with an Internet connection at home and made daily use of the following: the Internet 77.6%, e-mail 75.4%, cell phone 97.1%, and text messaging 66.7%. Significant racial/ethnic and income differences occurred in home Internet access, frequency of Internet and e-mail use, and perceived confidence or skill favoring White/Anglo women over ethnic minority women, and those of higher over lower income. Overall, 35.9% of women expressed "a lot" of interest in an Internet-based weight loss program, 38.9% in a weight loss program sent by mail, 44.8% in an Internet-based parenting advice, and 38.6% in parenting advice sent by mail. Women of higher and lower income differed significantly in their interest in three of the four types of health-promotion information and methods of delivery. Generally, women with lower income were more likely to express high interest in receiving health information related to parenting by mail than those of higher incomes, whereas women of higher incomes were more likely to express high interest in receiving weight loss and parenting information through the Internet. © 2012 AWHONN, the Association of Women's Health, Obsteric and Neonatal Nurses.

A Survey of Hospice Volunteer Coordinators: Training Methods and Objectives of Current Hospice Volunteer Training Programs.

PubMed

Brock, Cara M; Herndon, Christopher M

2017-06-01

Currently more than 5800 hospice organizations operate in the United States. 1 Hospice organizations are required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to use volunteers for services provided to patients. 2 Although CMS regulates the amount of hours hospice volunteers should provide, there are currently no national requirements for objectives of training. 3 The purpose of this study was to gather information from a sample of hospices regarding volunteer coordinator background, current training for volunteers, importance of training objectives, and any comments regarding additional objectives. Representative state hospice organizations were contacted by e-mail requesting their participation and distribution of the survey throughout their member hospices. The survey asked demographical questions, along with ratings of training components based on perceived level of importance and time spent on each objective. A total of 90 surveys were received, and the response rate was undeterminable. Results showed the majority of hospices were nonprofit, had less than 100 currently trained volunteers, and maintained an average daily patient census of less than 50. Questions regarding training programs indicated that most use live lecture methods of approximately 19 hours or less in duration. Overall, responding hospice organizations agreed that all objectives surveyed were important in training volunteers. The small number of respondents to this survey makes generalization nationwide difficult, however it is a strong starting point for the development of further surveys on hospice volunteer training and achieving a standardized set of training objectives and delivery methods.

Strategies to retain participants in a long-term HIV prevention randomized controlled trial: Lessons from the MINTS-II study

PubMed Central

Horvath, Keith J.; Nygaard, Kate; Danilenko, Gene P.; Goknur, Sinan; Oakes, J. Michael; Rosser, B.R. Simon

2012-01-01

Achieving satisfactory retention in online HIV prevention trials typically have proved difficult, particularly over extended timeframes. The overall aim of this study was to assess factors associated with retention in the Men’s INTernet Study II (MINTS-II), a randomized controlled trial of a sexual risk reduction intervention for men who have sex with men. Participants were recruited via e-mails and banner advertisements in December, 2007 to participate in the MINTS-II Sexpulse intervention and followed over a 12-month period. Retention across the treatment and control arms was 85.2% at 12 months. Factors associated with higher retention included: randomization to the control arm, previous participation in a study by the research team, e-mail and telephone reminders to complete a survey once it was available to take, and fewer e-mail contacts between surveys. The results provide evidence that achieving satisfactory retention is possible in online HIV prevention trials, and suggest best practices for maximizing retention. PMID:21538084

Development of a Research Participants’ Perception Survey to Improve Clinical Research

PubMed Central

Yessis, Jennifer L.; Kost, Rhonda G.; Lee, Laura M.; Coller, Barry S.; Henderson, David K.

2012-01-01

Abstract Introduction: Clinical research participants’ perceptions regarding their experiences during research protocols provide outcome‐based insights into the effectiveness of efforts to protect rights and safety, and opportunities to enhance participants’ clinical research experiences. Use of validated surveys measuring patient‐centered outcomes is standard in hospitals, yet no instruments exist to assess outcomes of clinical research processes. Methods: We derived survey questions from data obtained from focus groups comprised of research participants and professionals. We assessed the survey for face/content validity, and privacy/confidentiality protections and fielded it to research participants at 15 centers. We conducted analyses of response rates, sample characteristics, and psychometrics, including survey and item completion and analysis, internal consistency, item internal consistency, criterion‐related validity, and item usefulness. Responses were tested for fit into existing patient‐centered dimensions of care and new clinical research dimensions using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Results: Surveys were mailed to 18,890 individuals; 4,961 were returned (29%). Survey completion was 89% overall; completion rates exceeded 90% for 88 of 93 evaluable items. Questions fit into three dimensions of patient‐centered care and two novel clinical research dimensions (Cronbach's alpha for dimensions: 0.69–0.85). Conclusions: The validated survey offers a new method for assessing and improving outcomes of clinical research processes. Clin Trans Sci 2012; Volume 5: 452–460 PMID:23253666

Selected accounts receivable performance statistics for radiology practices: an analysis of the adjusted collection percentage and days charges in accounts receivable.

PubMed

Cergnul, John J; Russell, Philip J; Sunshine, Jonathan H

2005-12-01

To provide comparative data and analysis with respect to accounts receivable management performance criteria. Data from 3 sources were analyzed: the Radiology Business Management Association's (RBMA) 2003 Accounts Receivable Performance Survey; the RBMA's 2003 Accounts Receivable Survey; and Hogan and Sunshine's 2004 Radiology article "Financial Ratios in Diagnostic Radiology Practices: Variability and Trends," the data for which were drawn primarily from the ACR's 1999 Survey of Practices. The RBMA surveyed (via e-mail and postal mail) only its members, with response rates of 15% and 9%, respectively. The ACR's survey response rate was 66%, via postal mail, and was distributed without regard to the RBMA membership status of the practice manager or even whether the practice employed a practice manager. Comparison among the survey results provided information on trends. Median practice professional component adjusted collection percentage (ACP) deteriorated from 87.3% to 85.1% between the RBMA surveys. Practices limited to global fee billing faired much better when performing their billing in house, as opposed to using a billing service, with mean ACPs of 91.2% and 79.4%, respectively. Days charges in accounts receivable 2004 mean results for professional component billing and global fee billing were nearly identical at 56.11 and 55.54 days, respectively. The 2003 RBMA survey reported 63.74 days for professional component billing and 77.33 days for global fee billing. The improvement from 2003 to 2004 was highly significant for both professional component billing and global fee billing. The 2004 RBMA survey also reflected a rather dramatic improvement in days charges in accounts receivable compared with Hogan and Sunshine's results, which showed a mean of 69 days charges in accounts receivable. The conflicting trends between ACP performance and days charges in accounts receivable performance may be explained by the increasing sophistication of accounts receivable management processes (improving days charges in accounts receivable) and the deterioration in the general economy between survey periods (decreasing ACPs). Additionally, generally better accounts receivable management performance was experienced by practices employing RBMA members (RBMA survey participants) compared with those that may or may not have employed RBMA members (ACR survey participants).

The impact of e-mail in acquiring and retaining whole-blood donors: a comparative analysis of the Puget Sound Blood Center donor e-mail communication program.

PubMed

Geyer, Maria Elena

2005-12-01

With the emergence of e-mail as a common form of communication, it is important to understand the role and impact e-mail can have on acquiring and retaining whole-blood donors. Whole-blood donors who opted in to receive e-mail communications (n = 43,232) from the Puget Sound Blood Center (PSBC) and as a result participated in one or more of five e-mail marketing campaigns between July 2002 and March 2003 were studied. New donors with e-mail addresses grew by 74 percent over the measurement period compared with 2 percent growth of those without e-mail addresses. Nearly 15,000 prospective donors were reached as a result of donors passing along e-mails they received from PSBC to friends and family. Nearly 5 percent of PSBC e-mail campaign recipients registered to donate online. PSBC e-mail campaigns have outperformed e-mail marketing industry mean open rates by 44 percent and click-through rates by 36 percent. E-mail is now a mainstream communication medium. It has proven to be an effective method of reaching new donors and generating new donation registrations. Donors respond more favorably to e-mail communications from PSBC compared with e-mail they receive from other organizations. Deeper understanding of how different segments of blood donors use e-mail may help blood centers adjust their donor acquisition and retention programs. New recruitment methods are needed to grow the overall donor base, and e-mail appears to have the potential to make a significant contribution to meeting this objective.

A survey of elderly and handicapped riders on the Charlottesville transit system.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1979-01-01

This report develops a profile of the elderly and handicapped public transit rider in the city of Charlottesville, Virginia, population 40,800. A compilation of socioeconomic and trip-making characteristics determined from a mail-out survey of elderl...

Assessment of avian influenza surveillance and reporting needs of stakeholders in Michigan, 2007.

PubMed

Martell-Moran, Nicole K; Mauer, Whitney A; Kaneene, John B

2011-06-15

To identify stakeholders who should be included in a Michigan-based avian influenza surveillance system (AISS) and to describe their avian influenza (AI) surveillance and reporting needs. Cross-sectional survey involving a convenience sample of respondents. 272 federal, state, and local governmental and regulatory agency professionals; veterinarians and laboratory professionals in academia; private practice veterinarians; and poultry industry members. A needs assessment survey that focused on stakeholder identification, current surveillance methods, information sharing, and desired AISS enhancements was administered by mail, and responses were summarized. Various AISS stakeholders were identified, among whom the requirements for surveillance information and methods of reporting (including via a World Wide Web-based database, e-mail, and a website) differed. Although 90% of all respondent types indicated that poultry industry representatives were key stakeholders, < 33% of poultry industry respondents indicated that private practice veterinarians and personnel in laboratories or public agencies should be considered stakeholders. The predominant concern (55.4% of respondents) regarding the current AISS was the effectiveness of communication among agencies, industry, and the public. The primary challenge identified by respondents was confidentiality (30.2% of respondents). In Michigan-and potentially in other regions of the United States-integration of Internet-related data systems and stakeholder communication is likely to promote earlier identification of AI, achieve more effective responses to outbreaks, reduce morbidity among humans and other animals, and decrease outbreak-associated financial losses. Stakeholder education and technological safeguard assurances will be essential in AISS enhancement.

Recruiting online: lessons from a longitudinal survey of contraception and pregnancy intentions of young Australian women.

PubMed

Harris, Melissa L; Loxton, Deborah; Wigginton, Britta; Lucke, Jayne C

2015-05-15

Recruitment of young people for epidemiologic research remains challenging, with marked decreases in the effectiveness of face-to-face, mail, and telephone recruitment methods. We report on the implementation and feasibility of an innovative and flexible approach used to recruit participants for a longitudinal cohort study about contraceptive use and pregnancy (the Contraceptive Use, Pregnancy Intention, and Decisions (CUPID) Study). Australian women aged 18-23 years were recruited using a range of online, networking, and offline methods, including social media (primarily Facebook (Facebook Inc., Menlo Park, California; http://www.facebook.com)), face-to-face events, distribution of promotional material, and media releases. Over the course of the 1-year recruitment period (beginning in September 2012), a total of 3,795 eligible women were recruited to complete the online survey, at a cost of approximately A$11 per participant. This sample was found to be broadly representative of the Australian population of women aged 18-23 years in terms of demographic characteristics, with the exception of an overrepresentation of tertiary-educated women (88.7% compared with 72.6%). This study demonstrated that although current recruitment strategies are required to be innovative and flexible in order to engage young people in epidemiologic research, representative samples can be achieved online at reasonable cost. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

10 CFR 2.305 - Service of documents; methods; proof.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... service, or by first-class, express, certified or registered mail. As to each participant that cannot... evidence, may be made by first-class mail in all cases, unless the presiding officer directs otherwise or... by the same or equivalent method, such as by electronic transmission or first-class mail, that they...

Sex Role Stereotyping for Household Chores by Aspiring and Incumbent Female and Male Public School Administrators.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pavan, Barbara Nelson

A survey of male and female school administrators in Pennsylvania reveals that sexual division of labor in household activities differs little from stereotypical role expectations. A survey, mailed to 1,324 male and female administrative incumbents and aspirants, yielded 622 responses for a rate of 47 percent. The survey explored personal…

Knowledge and Attitudes of Produce and Seafood Processors and Food Safety Educators Regarding Nonthermal Processes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pivarnik, Lori F.; Richard, Nicole L.; Gable, Robert K.; Worobo, Randy W.

2016-01-01

A needs assessment survey was designed and administered to measure knowledge of and attitudes toward food safety impacts of nonthermal processing technologies of shellfish and produce industry personnel and extension educators. An online survey was sent via e-mail notification with the survey link through professional listserves. The survey…

A Survey of Adult and Continuing Music Education in Illinois.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Halfvarson, Lucille R.; O'Connor, John A.

Surveys of adult and continuing education programs in music were undertaken in the various states, including Illinois. The purposes of the surveys were to identify existing music programs, assess their overall effectiveness, and stimulate interest in them. A letter-questionnaire was mailed to the mayors of over 850 cities and towns in Illinois;…

Survey of Computer Facilities in Minnesota and North Dakota.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MacGregor, Donald

In order to attain a better understanding of the data processing manpower needs of business and industry, a survey instrument was designed and mailed to 570 known and possible computer installations in the Minnesota/North Dakota area. The survey was conducted during the spring of 1975, and concentrated on the kinds of equipment and computer…

Allied Health Occupations in New Mexico: A Survey of Current and Five-Year Projected Need, 1989-1994.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McLaughlin, James L.; And Others

In 1989, the Health Occupations Advisory Committee surveyed health care agencies throughout New Mexico about their current and planned employment needs in nursing and allied health fields. The survey was mailed to approximately 500 hospitals, county health offices, outpatient and long-term care facilities, employment agencies, practice groups, and…

Cell Phones in American High Schools: A National Survey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Obringer, S. John; Coffey, Kent

2007-01-01

A survey instrument to determine school policy and practice regarding cell phone use by teachers and students was developed using a literature review, a panel of experts, and then a pilot study with typical respondents. The survey was mailed out randomly to 200 high school principals representing all 50 states. The return rate was 56 percent with…

Retirement and Retiree Health Benefits Provisions Survey, 1990-91.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Education Association, Washington, DC. Research Div.

Findings of a national survey that examined retirement and retiree health benefits provisions are presented in this document. A 1990-91 survey mailed to all state and local retirement plans in which education employees participate elicited responses from 53 state-sponsored and 5 local-sponsored plans (representing a total active membership of 6.4…

Small Business and Health Care. Results of a Survey.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hall, Charles P., Jr.; Kuder, John M.

A 1989 mail survey collected data regarding health insurance from 18,614 small business owners who were employer members of the National Federation of Independent Business. In all, 5,368 usable surveys were returned for a 29 percent response rate. Data were obtained on opinions about health care, health care markets, and general health policy;…

The North Dakota Beef Industry Survey: Implications for Extension

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dahlen, Carl R.; Hadrich, Joleen C.; Lardy, Gregory P.

2014-01-01

A portion of the North Dakota Beef Industry Survey was developed to determine how educational programs can evolve to meet future needs of North Dakota beef producers. Of the 2,500 surveys mailed out to beef producers, 527 responses were completed and returned. Results highlight the level of education of North Dakota beef producers, anticipated use…

Wyoming Business and Office Occupations Survey for Entry-Level Employment Competencies.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fairchild, Patricia; Gilligan, Joyce

This survey was conducted by the Vocational Programs Unit of the State Department of Education and the State Steering Committee for Business and Office Education in Wyoming to facilitate the determination of business and office education state standards. The survey was mailed to 208 businesses in the state asking for responses to the degree of…

A Survey of Computer Usage in Adult Education Programs in Florida Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Florida State Dept. of Education, Tallahassee. Div. of Vocational, Adult, and Community Education.

A study was conducted to identify the types and uses of computer hardware and software in adult and community education programs in Florida. Information was gathered through a survey instrument developed for the study and mailed to 100 adult and community education directors and adult literacy center coordinators (92 surveys were returned). The…

Survey of North American Multidisciplinary Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Team Clinic Administration.

PubMed

Pfeifauf, Kristin D; Patel, Kamlesh B; Snyder-Warwick, Alison; Skolnick, Gary B; Scheve, Sibyl; Naidoo, Sybill D

2018-01-01

This study aims to provide an understanding of the ways cleft palate (CP) and craniofacial teams address billing, administration, communication of clinical recommendations, appointment scheduling, and diagnosis-specific protocols. An online clinic administration survey was developed using data from an open-ended telephone questionnaire. The online survey was distributed by e-mail to the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) nurse coordinator electronic mailing list, used regularly by the ACPA and its members to communicate with teams. The response was 34.1% (42/123). Two incomplete records were excluded, as were any inconsistent responses of 3 teams submitting duplicate records. Six (15.8%) of 38 teams do not charge for clinic visits. For all other teams, some or all providers bill individually for services (68.4%) or a single lump sum applies (10.5%). Patients of 34 (89.5%) of 38 teams occasionally or often neglect to schedule or attend follow-up appointments. Twenty-six (66.7%) of 39 team directors were plastic surgeons. Phone is a common method of contacting families for scheduling (60.0%) and appointment reminders (82.5%). Most teams' providers (90.0%) routinely communicate findings to each other during postclinical conference. Most teams saw patients with isolated cleft lip (43.6%), cleft lip and palate (64.1%), or isolated CP (59.0%) annually. The breadth of strategies team clinic administration strategies warrants further exploration of the variations and their effects on patient-centered outcomes including the quality of life, satisfaction, cost, and resource utilization.

The auditory processing battery: survey of common practices.

PubMed

Emanuel, Diana C

2002-02-01

A survey of auditory processing (AP) diagnostic practices was mailed to all licensed audiologists in the State of Maryland and sent as an electronic mail attachment to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and Educational Audiology Association Internet forums. Common AP protocols (25 from the Internet, 28 from audiologists in Maryland) included requiring basic audiologic testing, using questionnaires, and administering dichotic listening, monaural low-redundancy speech, temporal processing, and electrophysiologic tests. Some audiologists also administer binaural interaction, attention, memory, and speech-language/psychological/educational tests and incorporate a classroom observation. The various AP batteries presently administered appear to be based on the availability of AP tests with well-documented normative data. Resources for obtaining AP tests are listed.

Measuring Nurses' Value, Implementation, and Knowledge of Evidence-Based Practice: Further Psychometric Testing of the Quick-EBP-VIK Survey.

PubMed

Connor, Linda; Paul, Fiona; McCabe, Margaret; Ziniel, Sonja

2017-02-01

The Quick-EBP-VIK is a new instrument for measuring nurses' value, implementation, and knowledge of EBP. Psychometric testing was conducted in two parts. Part 1 describes the tool development and validity testing which resulted in the development of a 25-item survey after receiving ≥0.80 Item-Level Content Validity Index for both clarity and relevance. Part 2 describes psychometric testing was necessary to assess additional types of validity and reliability. The purpose of this paper is to further describe the psychometric testing of the Quick-EBP-VIK survey instrument. This descriptive study was designed to assess test-retest reliability, internal consistency and construct validity via a web-based survey. The survey instrument was e-mailed to all nurses at the study hospital. Nurses who responded to the first survey (Wave 1) received another e-mail invitation to complete the survey instrument again (Wave 2) for the purpose of assessing the test-retest reliability of the instrument. A total of 1,177 deliverable e-mails were sent to all nursing staff at one free standing pediatric hospital with Magnet ® designation in the northeast. A total of 382 nurses returned completed surveys, indicating a 32.5% response rate for Wave 1. A total of 131 nurses responded to Wave 2 indicating a response rate of 34.3%. The intraclass correlation coefficients for the items included in the final instrument ranged from 0.43 to 0.80 and were deemed sufficient. These represent a sufficient intraclass correlation coefficient. The Cronbach's Alpha values for each of the three domains are all higher than 0.7 indicating that the items of each of the measurement dimension are internally consistent. However, the composite reliability of the third domain was slightly lower than 0.7 when using Raykov's Rho. The Quick-EBP-VIK instrument has gone through rigorous comprehensive testing and has demonstrated good psychometric properties. © 2016 Sigma Theta Tau International.

Transportation Community Institutional Infrastructure Study : Volume 1. National Transportation Needs Mail Survey.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1976-04-01

The results of the Transportation Community Infrastructure Study are presented as a three volume series. This series presents a surveyed priority of topics for information exhange, a case study of a porposed training proram, and an analysis of the tr...

Marketing Universities: A Survey of Student Recruitment Activities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Murphy, Patrick E.; McGarrity, Richard A.

1978-01-01

Admissions officers of 350 private colleges and universities were surveyed to ascertain their understanding of the term "marketing," current use of promotional (advertising and personal selling) activities, market segmentation approaches, and their product (i.e., academic programs) development and differentiation strategies. The mail questionnaire…

Breastfeeding trends at a Community Breastfeeding Center: an evaluative survey.

PubMed

Adams, C; Berger, R; Conning, P; Cruikshank, L; Doré, K

2001-01-01

To evaluate the Community Breastfeeding Center's (CBC) impact on clients' breastfeeding experiences. Retrospective survey; participants were mailed a questionnaire. A hospital-based drop-in center operated jointly by the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Health Unit and Headwaters Health Care Center and offering professional breastfeeding support and peer interaction. The 164 mothers of singleton births, both inpatients and community clients, who attended the CBC during a 10-month period in 1996-1997 and completed a survey. A mailed survey with forced-choice and open-ended questions. Of the respondents, 90.9% rated their overall CBC experience as excellent or good. Seventy-three percent of respondents breastfed for 4 months or longer. Primiparae and mothers of preterm infants tended to visit the CBC more frequently, while achieving duration rates similar to other subgroups. Returning to work was the reason most frequently cited for stopping breastfeeding (35%). The CBC is an effective community support strategy to lengthen breastfeeding duration and enhance clients' satisfaction with their breastfeeding experience.

What can the drivers' own description from combined sources provide in an analysis of driver distraction and low vigilance in accident situations?

PubMed

Tivesten, Emma; Wiberg, Henrik

2013-03-01

Accident data play an important role in vehicle safety development. Accident data sources are generally limited in terms of how much information is provided on driver states and behaviour prior to an accident. However, the precise limitations vary between databases, due to differences in analysis focus and data collection procedures between organisations. If information about a specific accident can be retrieved from more than one data source it should be possible to combine the available information sets to facilitate data from one source to compensate for limitations in the other(s). To investigate the viability of such compensation, this study identified a set of accidents recorded in two different data sources. The first data source investigated was an accident mail survey and the second data source insurance claims documents consisting predominantly of insurance claims completed by the involved road users. An analysis of survey variables was compared to a case analysis including word data derived from the same survey and filed insurance claims documents. For each accident, the added value of having access to more than one source of information was assessed. To limit the scope of this study, three particular topics were investigated: available information on low vigilance (e.g., being drowsy, ill); secondary task distraction (e.g., talking with passengers, mobile phone use); and distraction related to the driving task (e.g., looking for approaching vehicles). Results suggest that for low vigilance and secondary task distraction, a combination of the mail survey and insurance claims documents provide more reliable and detailed pre-crash information than survey variables alone. However, driving related distraction appears to be more difficult to capture. In order to gain a better understanding of the above issues and how frequently they occur in accidents, the data sources and analysis methods suggested here may be combined with other investigation methods such as in-depth accident investigations and pre-crash data recordings. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Usefulness of a single item in a mail survey to identify persons with possible dementia: a new strategy for finding high-risk elders.

PubMed

Brody, Kathleen K; Maslow, Katie; Perrin, Nancy A; Crooks, Valerie; DellaPenna, Richard; Kuang, Daniel

2005-04-01

The objective of this study was to examine the characteristics of elderly persons who responded positively to a question about "severe memory problems" on a mailed health questionnaire yet were missed by the existing health risk algorithm to identify vulnerable elderly persons. A total of 324,471 respondents aged 65 and older completed a primary care health status questionnaire that gathered clinical information to quickly identify members with functional impairment, multiple chronic diseases, and higher medical care needs. The respondents were part of a large, integrated, not-for-profit managed care organization that implemented a model of care for elders using a uniform risk identification method across eight regions. Respondents with severe memory problems were compared to general respondents by morbidity, geriatric syndromes, functional impairments, service utilization, sensory impairments, sociodemographic characteristics, and activities of daily living. Of the respondents, 13,902 persons (4.3%) reported severe memory problems; the existing health risk algorithm missed 47.1% of these. When severe memory problems were included in the risk algorithm, identification increased from 11% to 13%, and risk prevalence by age groups ranged from 4.4% to 40.5%; one third had severe memory problems, a finding that was fairly consistent within age groups (28.4% to 36.5%). A question about severe memory problems should be incorporated into population risk-identification techniques. While false-negative rates are unknown, the false-positive rate of a self-report mail survey appears to be minimal. Persons reporting severe memory problems clearly have multiple comorbidities, higher prevalence of geriatric syndromes, and greater functional and sensory impairments.

Program design features that can improve participation in health education interventions

PubMed Central

Gucciardi, Enza; Cameron, Jill I; Liao, Chen Di; Palmer, Alison; Stewart, Donna E

2007-01-01

Background Although there have been reported benefits of health education interventions across various health issues, the key to program effectiveness is participation and retention. Unfortunately, not everyone is willing to participate in health interventions upon invitation. In fact, health education interventions are vulnerable to low participation rates. The objective of this study was to identify design features that may increase participation in health education interventions and evaluation surveys, and to maximize recruitment and retention efforts in a general ambulatory population. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to 175 individuals in waiting rooms of two hospitals diagnostic centres in Toronto, Canada. Subjects were asked about their willingness to participate, in principle, and the extent of their participation (frequency and duration) in health education interventions under various settings and in intervention evaluation surveys using various survey methods. Results The majority of respondents preferred to participate in one 30–60 minutes education intervention session a year, in hospital either with a group or one-on-one with an educator. Also, the majority of respondents preferred to spend 20–30 minutes each time, completing one to two evaluation surveys per year in hospital or by mail. Conclusion When designing interventions and their evaluation surveys, it is important to consider the preferences for setting, length of participation and survey method of your target population, in order to maximize recruitment and retention efforts. Study respondents preferred short and convenient health education interventions and surveys. Therefore, brevity, convenience and choice appear to be important when designing education interventions and evaluation surveys from the perspective of our target population. PMID:17996089

Continuing educational needs in computers and informatics. McGill survey of family physicians.

PubMed Central

McClaran, J.; Snell, L.; Duarte-Franco, E.

2000-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To describe family physicians' perceived educational needs in computers and informatics. DESIGN: Mailed survey. SETTING: General or family practices in Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Physicians (489 responded to a mailing sent to 2,500 physicians) who might attend sessions at the McGill Centre for CME. Two duplicate questionnaires were excluded from the analysis. METHOD: Four domains were addressed: practice profile, clinical CME needs, professional CME needs, and preferred learning formats. Data were entered on dBASE IV; analyses were performed on SPSS. MAIN FINDINGS: In the 487 questionnaires retained for analysis, "informatics and computers" was mentioned more than any other clinical diagnostic area, any other professional area, and all but three patient groups and service areas as a topic where improvement in knowledge and skills was needed in the coming year. Most physicians had no access to computer support for practice (62.6%); physicians caring for neonates, toddlers, or hospital inpatients were more likely to report some type of computer support. CONCLUSIONS: Family physicians selected knowledge and skills for computers and informatics as an area for improvement in the coming year more frequently than they selected most traditional clinical CME topics. This educational need is particularly great in small towns and in settings where some computerized hospital data are already available. PMID:10790816

Reproductive and Hormonal Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in Blind Women

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-08-01

informational letters sent directly from the Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library in Watertown Massachusetts, the ACB and the Canadian National Institute...choice. Survey formats included via e-mail, website, compact disc, computer disk, audio tape, large print, Braille , in person, or verbally over the...survey data during telephone interviews or following receipt of written or audio surveys. Braille surveys were transcribed by a third party and

2010 Workplace and Gender Relations Survey of Active Duty Members. Administration, Datasets, and Codebook

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-04-01

from the survey litho code list if a survey form was sent or independently if only a letter was sent. Ticket Numbers for Web Survey Access Prior...variables BATCH, SERIAL, and LITHO uniquely identify each returned survey. LITHO is the lithocode scanned from the survey. BATCH and SERIAL are the...Uned 593 LEADERSAT Tabs: Leadership Satisfaction Scale- Q11 176 LITHO * Litho code 1086 MAILTYP* Mail Type 1087 MENTOR 12. [12] Do you have a

The older driver in Oregon : a survey of driving behavior and cessation.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-03-01

In a study of older adults and their travel patterns in Oregon, a statewide mail survey and telephone interviews were conducted with older drivers and older adults who had voluntarily chosen to stop driving. The purpose of the study was to determine:...

Somerset County Employer Needs Assessment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rephann, Terance J.

Allegany Community College in Cumberland, Maryland, conducted an employer assessment survey of Somerset County businesses during the winter of 1995 in order to provide evaluation data for planning and curriculum development for the secondary and postsecondary educational institutions. The survey was mailed to 760 establishments, with a 29 percent…

Community College Employee Wellness Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thornton, L. Jay; Johnson, Sharon

2010-01-01

This paper describes the prevalence and characteristics of employee wellness programs in public community colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). A random sample of 250 public community colleges accredited by SACS was mailed a 46-item employee-wellness program survey. The survey solicited program information…

75 FR 68630 - Information Collection Requests Under OMB Review

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-08

... applicants and Returned Volunteers will be contacted by e-mail and will be asked to complete a quantitative online survey to better understand candidate motivation to serve as a volunteer, their perceptions of... this survey is to collect feedback from Peace Corps applicants [[Page 68631

African Doppler Surveys (ADOS).

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-06-01

UP TO 31 MARCH 1983 MAILING DATE: 11 APRIL 1983 SURVEY STATUS DATA STATUSDOPPLER STATION L1 OR1ATION - ______(hte 1,(Whether data dis- GEOD . TIES...SURVEY STATUS DTA STATUS DOPPLER STATION INFORMATION (Whet~her data dia- GEOD . TIES patched to...data dis- GEOD . TIES patched to COUNThY STATION NAME APPROXIMAT OPPLER designated CODE AND ADOS NO. SZION ()outh Comp. Center) COORDINATES fin- Yes

Basic Skills Testing & Training. 1996 AMA Survey. Summary of Key Findings.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

American Management Association, New York, NY.

The American Management Association's (AMA) 10th annual survey on workplace testing was mailed in January 1996 to a sample of its 9,500 member companies, resulting in 961 usable responses. The survey sought to determine how many firms test for "basic skills," how job applicants perform on these tests, how much the tests costs, and what firms do…

It's Not Easy Being Green: A Survey of Staff Experiences with Environmental Issues in Sci-Tech and Other Libraries.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alpi, Kristine M.

2000-01-01

Discusses the results of a survey, mainly from science and technology libraries, that asked about environmental policies and committees, individual and institutional attitudes and behavior related to recycling, and the effects of electronic journals and reserves on copying and printing. A copy of the electronic mail survey is appended. (Contains…

The Five-Year Follow-Up Report: A Survey of 1985-1986 Graduates.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Von Wald, Stephen C.

In 1991, a survey was mailed to Arrowhead Community College Region (Minnesota) students who had graduated during the 1985-86 academic year. Of the 750 graduates that year, 213 responded. Survey findings, based on this 28.4% response rate, included the following: (1) 44.6% of the respondents had earned a bachelor's degree, 4.2% had earned a…

A Survey of College Reading Programs in New York State: Diagnosis, Placement and Program Components.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Malinowski, Patricia A.

In February 1988, a survey was conducted to examine placement procedures and developmental reading programs at two- and four-year colleges in New York State. Surveys were mailed to 30 two-year colleges and 28 four-year colleges, requesting information on the placement tests and cut-off scores used; types of additional diagnostic testing; course…

An Experiment to Test the Feasibility and Quality of a Web-Based Questionnaire of Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jacob, Robin Tepper

2011-01-01

The use of web-based surveys to gather information from teachers has become increasingly common primarily based on the premise that they can reduce costs. Yet, relatively, little is known about the quality or cost effectiveness of web-based versus mail surveys for teachers. To study the efficacy of web-based teacher surveys, the author randomly…

Send it: study of e-mail etiquette and notions from doctors in training.

PubMed

Resendes, Sarah; Ramanan, Thammi; Park, Angela; Petrisor, Brad; Bhandari, Mohit

2012-01-01

Worldwide, more than 247 billion e-mails are sent each day. Little empiric evidence is available to guide how e-mail presentation style, tone, and content affect e-mail recipients and whether these factors impact opinions about the sender and the rapidity of response. In a study of physicians in training assessing a series of 100 e-mail examples, we examined the following: (1) formatting characteristics most and least endorsed, (2) impression of the sender based on the e-mail itself, and (3) factors associated with the decision to respond. We reasoned that our study would provide empiric data to support recommendations for e-mail etiquette, focusing specifically on doctors in training. Cross-sectional survey study. Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. After each e-mail, the participating surgical residents completed a series of questions focusing on their impression of the e-mail appearance, their perception of the sender, and their motivation to respond to the e-mail. Thirty-two residents participated in this study. The responses indicate that the key negatively endorsed features of the e-mails included the use of colored backgrounds (84%), difficult-to-read font (83%), lack of a subject header (55%), opening salutations without recipient names (50%), or no salutation at all (42%). The senders of negatively endorsed e-mails were perceived by participants as inefficient (p = 0.03), unprofessional (p < 0.001), and irritating (p = 0.007). E-mails with overall positive endorsements were significantly more likely to have the participants perceive the e-mail senders as professional (p < 0.001), pleasant (p = 0.048), and kind (p = 0.059). The participants were 2.6-fold more likely to respond immediately when they perceived e-mails as favorable compared with disliking them (42% vs 16% of responses, respectively, p < 0.001). The e-mails perceived as being disliked overall are likely to result in a negative perception of the sender and delays in response time. Copyright © 2012 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Adult recall of tobacco advertising on the Internet.

PubMed

Hrywna, Mary; Delnevo, Cristine D; Lewis, M Jane

2007-11-01

This study examined the prevalence and characteristics of New Jersey adults who reported seeing tobacco products advertised on the Internet and described the means by which these products were advertised. Data were analyzed from the New Jersey Adult Tobacco Survey (NJATS), a repeated, cross-sectional, random-digit-dial telephone survey conducted with a statewide representative sample. We used logistic regression to determine factors associated with recall of tobacco Internet advertising, adjusting for demographics, smoking behavior variables, and receipt of tobacco industry direct mail. Participants included 3,930 adults who completed the 2001 NJATS, 4,004 adults who completed the 2002 survey, and 3,062 adults who completed the 2005 survey. The proportion of adult Internet users reporting exposure to tobacco product advertising on the Internet has increased each year (6.9% in 2001, 15.6% in 2002, 17.8% in 2005). Based on 2005 data, recall of tobacco product advertising on the Internet was higher among males young adults aged 18-24 years, Asians, adults who reported receipt of direct mail advertising, and adults with a postcollege education. In addition, adult Internet users most often reported seeing tobacco products advertised on the Internet via pop-up or banner ads (60.7%), followed by E-mail messages (24.6%), and Web sites (14.9%). Recall of tobacco advertising by Internet users increased between 2001 and 2005 and was particularly high among certain subgroups. An urgent need exists for expanded surveillance of Internet tobacco sales and marketing practices.

Improving practice at the point of care through the optimization of the breastfeeding resource nurse model.

PubMed

Spatz, Diane L; Froh, Elizabeth B; Flynn-Roth, Regina; Barton, Sharon

2015-01-01

To describe and understand the Breastfeeding Resource Nurse (BRN) role and program. The primary study was a multimethod prospective study in which quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews of nurses who received education through the BRN program were used. Results presented herein are from the quantitative arm of the primary study. A large free-standing urban children's hospital with a birthing unit for specialized deliveries and a primary and specialty care network. A total of 425 of 600 nurses who took the BRN course responded to the survey. These nurses worked in all settings throughout the enterprise. The research team created a Survey Monkey interview that was e-mailed to all current nurses with valid hospital e-mail addresses who had taken the BRN course. Monthly e-mail reminders were sent and nurse managers were asked to encourage their staff to fill out the survey. Nurses who received specialized education through BRN course integrated the provision of evidence-based breastfeeding support and care into their daily routines. Furthermore, nurses became breastfeeding advocates and supported family, friends, and members of their communities in their breastfeeding experiences. The type of education needed for nurses who work at children's hospitals and in neonatal intensive care units is different than traditional breastfeeding education for birth hospitals. Implementation of the BRN course resulted in positive outcomes for staff; the course is transferrable to other facilities worldwide. © 2015 AWHONN, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.

Unconditional and conditional incentives differentially improved general practitioners' participation in an online survey: randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Young, Jane M; O'Halloran, Anna; McAulay, Claire; Pirotta, Marie; Forsdike, Kirsty; Stacey, Ingrid; Currow, David

2015-06-01

To compare the impact of unconditional and conditional financial incentives on response rates among Australian general practitioners invited by mail to participate in an online survey about cancer care and to investigate possible differential response bias between incentive groups. Australian general practitioners were randomly allocated to unconditional incentive (book voucher mailed with letter of invitation), conditional incentive (book voucher mailed on completion of the online survey), or control (no incentive). Nonresponders were asked to complete a small subset of questions from the online survey. Among 3,334 eligible general practitioners, significantly higher response rates were achieved in the unconditional group (167 of 1,101, 15%) compared with the conditional group (118 of 1,111, 11%) (P = 0.0014), and both were significantly higher than the control group (74 of 1,122, 7%; both P < 0.001). Although more positive opinions about cancer care were expressed by online responders compared with nonresponders, there was no evidence that the magnitude of difference varied by the incentive group. The incremental cost for each additional 1% increase above the control group response rate was substantially higher for the unconditional incentive group compared with the conditional incentive group. Both unconditional and conditional financial incentives significantly increased response with no evidence of differential response bias. Although unconditional incentives had the largest effect, the conditional approach was more cost-effective. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluating Active Parental Consent Procedures for School Programming: Addressing the Sensitive Topic of Suicide Prevention.

PubMed

Totura, Christine M Wienke; Kutash, Krista; Labouliere, Christa D; Karver, Marc S

2017-02-01

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents. Whereas school-based prevention programs are effective, obtaining active consent for youth participation in public health programming concerning sensitive topics is challenging. We explored several active consent procedures for improving participation rates. Five active consent methods (in-person, students taking forms home, mailing, mailing preceded by primers, mailing followed by reminder calls) were compared against passive consent procedures to evaluate recruitment success, as determined by participation (proportion who responded yes) and response (proportion who returned any response) rates. Participation acceptance rates ranged from 38 to 100% depending on consent method implemented. Compared with passive consent, active consent procedures were more variable in response and participation rates. In-person methods provided higher rates than less interpersonal methods, such as mailing or students taking consents home. Mailed primers before or reminder calls after consent forms were mailed increased response but not participation rates. Students taking consents home resulted in the lowest rates. Although passive consent produces the highest student participation, these methods are not always appropriate for programs addressing sensitive topics in schools. In-person active consent procedures may be the best option when prioritizing balance between parental awareness and successful student recruitment. © 2017, American School Health Association.

Use of bright light therapy among psychiatrists in massachusetts: an e-mail survey.

PubMed

Oldham, Mark A; Ciraulo, Domenic A

2014-01-01

Evidence on the use of bright light therapy for conditions beyond seasonal affective disorder continues to accrue; however, data on the prevalent use of bright light therapy in the community or in hospitals remain limited, particularly in the United States. We conducted a 5-minute e-mail survey of practicing psychiatrists in Massachusetts using the membership roster through the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society to evaluate prevalent use of bright light therapy as well as to solicit attitudes toward the treatment. Three e-mails were sent out over a 2-week period, and responses were obtained from March 2-24, 2013. An iPad raffle was used to incentivize survey completion. Of the 1,366 delivered e-mails, 197 responses were obtained. Of respondents, 72% indicated that they used bright light therapy in their practice, and, among these, all but 1 used bright light therapy for seasonal affective disorder. Only 55% of responding psychiatrists who use bright light therapy consider it to treat nonseasonal depression, and 11% of respondents who recommend bright light therapy would consider its use in inpatient settings. Lack of insurance coverage for light-delivery devices was identified as the largest barrier to using bright light therapy, being cited by 55% of respondents. Survey results suggest that limitations in practitioner knowledge of bright light therapy and the absence of bright light therapy in treatment algorithms are the 2 leading modifiable factors to encourage broader implementation. The principal limitation of our survey was the low response rate. As such, we consider these data preliminary. Response bias very likely led to an overestimation in prevalent use of bright light therapy; however, this bias notwithstanding, it appears that bright light therapy is used significantly less often for nonseasonal depression than for seasonal affective disorder. Further, its use in inpatient settings is significantly less than in outpatient settings. We expect that efforts to educate practitioners on the use and efficacy of bright light therapy for various psychiatric disorders combined with its inclusion on treatment algorithms may foster greater prevalent use.

47 CFR 7.17 - Informal complaints; form and content.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

..., telephone (voice/TRS/TTY), Internet e-mail, ASCII text, Internet e-mail, audio-cassette recording, and...), Internet e-mail, ASCII text, audio-cassette recording, braille; or some other method that will best...

47 CFR 7.17 - Informal complaints; form and content.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

..., telephone (voice/TRS/TTY), Internet e-mail, ASCII text, Internet e-mail, audio-cassette recording, and...), Internet e-mail, ASCII text, audio-cassette recording, braille; or some other method that will best...

47 CFR 7.17 - Informal complaints; form and content.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

..., telephone (voice/TRS/TTY), Internet e-mail, ASCII text, Internet e-mail, audio-cassette recording, and...), Internet e-mail, ASCII text, audio-cassette recording, braille; or some other method that will best...

What impact do questionnaire length and monetary incentives have on mailed health psychology survey response?

PubMed

Robb, Kathryn A; Gatting, Lauren; Wardle, Jane

2017-11-01

Response rates to health-related surveys are declining. This study tested two strategies to improve the response rate to a health psychology survey mailed through English general practices: (1) sending a shortened questionnaire and (2) offering a monetary incentive to return a completed questionnaire. Randomized controlled trial. Adults (n = 4,241) aged 45-59 years, from four General Practices in South-East England, were mailed a survey on attitudes towards bowel cancer screening. Using a 2 × 4 factorial design, participants were randomized to receive a 'short' (four A4 pages) or a 'long' (seven A4 pages) questionnaire, and one of four monetary incentives to return a completed questionnaire - (1) no monetary incentive, (2) £2.50 shop voucher, (3) £5.00 shop voucher, and (4) inclusion in a £250 shop voucher prize draw. Age, gender, and area-level deprivation were obtained from the General Practices. The overall response rate was 41% (n = 1,589). Response to the 'short' questionnaire (42%) was not significantly different from the 'long' questionnaire (40%). The £2.50 incentive (43%) significantly improved response rates in univariate analyses, and remained significant after controlling for age, gender, area-level deprivation, and questionnaire length. The £5.00 (42%) and £250 prize draw (41%) incentives had no significant impact on response rates compared to no incentive (38%). A small monetary incentive (£2.50) may slightly increase response to a mailed health psychology survey. The length of the questionnaire (four pages vs. seven pages) did not influence response. Although frequently used, entry into a prize draw did not increase response. Achieving representative samples remains a challenge for health psychology. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject Response rates to mailed questionnaires continue to decline, threatening the representativeness of data. Prize draw incentives are frequently used but there is little evidence to support their efficacy. Research on interactions between incentives, questionnaire length, and demographics is lacking. What does this study add Contrary to previous findings, questionnaire length did not influence response rate. A £2.50 incentive increased response, while incentives of £5.00 and a £250 prize draw did not. Achieving representative samples to questionnaires remains a challenge for health psychology. © 2017 The Authors. British Journal of Health Psychology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Psychological Society.

International Survey on the Management of Wake-Up Stroke.

PubMed

de Castro-Afonso, Luís Henrique; Nakiri, Guilherme Seizem; Pontes-Neto, Octávio Marques; dos Santos, Antônio Carlos; Abud, Daniel Giansante

2016-01-01

Patients who wake up having experienced a stroke while asleep represent around 20% of acute stroke admissions. According to international guidelines for the management of acute stroke, patients presenting with wake-up stroke are not currently eligible to receive revascularization treatments. In this study, we aimed to assess the opinions of stroke experts about the management of patients with wake-up stroke by using an international multicenter electronic survey. This study consisted of 8 questions on wake-up stroke treatment. Two hundred invitations to participate in the survey were sent by e-mail. Fifty-nine participants started the survey, 4 dropped out before completing it, and 55 completed the full questionnaire. We had 55 participants from 22 countries. In this study, most stroke experts recommended a recanalization treatment for wake-up stroke. However, there was considerable disagreement among experts regarding the best brain imaging method and the best recanalization treatment. The results of ongoing randomized trials on wake-up stroke are urgently needed.

Age, extraction rate and jaw surgery rate in Korean orthodontic clinics and small dental hospitals

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Objective This study aimed to investigate the current data regarding age, sex, and Angle Classification of Korean orthodontic patients and influence of these factors on the tendency to undergo extraction and orthognathic surgery. Methods The recent trends of Korean orthodontic patients were assessed using questionnaire survey. The questionnaires were e-mailed to orthodontists who met the study criteria; 58% of the orthodontists opened the e-mails, and 27.7% replied to the e-mails. In all, the medical records of 11,340 patients who underwent orthodontic treatment at private clinics and small dental hospitals in Korea were analyzed. Results The percentage of female patients in the study sample was 69.6%, and the average age of the patients was 19.87 years. The percentage of patients who were older than 19 years was 50.2%. Class II and Class III malocclusions were noted in 33.6% and 23.6% of patients, respectively. Extraction and orthognathic surgery were performed in 60.4% and 6.9% of patients, respectively. Conclusions The results showed that there were a high percentage of adult, Class II malocclusion and extraction patients in private practices and small dental hospitals during the study period. Further, a relatively high proportion of adult patients opted to undergo orthognathic surgery. PMID:23112936

76 FR 4820 - New Mailing Standards for Domestic Mailing Services

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-27

... prices for their parcels when they pay postage by any of the following three methods: Permit imprint... permit imprint, meet specific mailing requirements, and whose account volume exceeds a minimum threshold... prices in a calendar year. Pay for postage using a permit imprint. Enter a minimum of 500 pieces of mail...

75 FR 3758 - Proposed Extension of the Approval of Information Collection Requirements

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-22

..., identified by Control Number 1215- 0036, by either one of the following methods: E-mail: [email protected] . Mail, Hand Delivery, Courier: Regulatory Analysis Branch, Wage and Hour Division, U.S... transmit their comments electronically via e-mail or to submit them by mail early. Comments, including any...

Assessment of surgical competence in North American graduate periodontics programs: a survey of current practices.

PubMed

Ghiabi, Edmond; Taylor, K Lynn

2010-08-01

This cross-sectional study was designed to document the methods utilized by North American graduate periodontics programs in assessing their residents' surgical skills. A survey of clinical skills assessment was mailed to directors of all fifty-eight graduate periodontics programs in Canada and the United States. Thirty-four programs (59 percent) responded. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 15.0. The results demonstrate that the most common practice for providing feedback and documenting residents' surgical skills in the programs surveyed was daily one-on-one verbal feedback given by an instructor. The next two most commonly reported methods were a standard checklist developed at program level and a combination of a checklist and verbal comments. The majority of the programs reported that the instructors met collectively once per term to evaluate the residents' progress. The results suggest that graduate periodontics programs provide their residents frequent opportunities for daily practice with verbal feedback from instructors. However, assessment strategies identified in other health professions as beneficial in fostering the integration of clinical skills practices are not employed.

Indian Outreach Program Needs Assessment Survey.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Decker, Don

The Indian Outreach Program developed a questionnaire to determine the perceived postsecondary educational needs of Indian high school students and the students' perceptions of Yavapai College and its services. Nine hundred fifty surveys were mailed to high schools in the area served by the college; 328 useable questionnaires were obtained from…

Occupational Education Administrators' Duties/Responsibilities Survey.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cosumnes River Coll., Sacramento, CA.

In the fall of 1976, questionnaires were mailed to 99 occupational education administrators in California community colleges in order to ascertain whether there were differences in these individual's responsibilities and job duties from college to college. Responses were received from 81 of those surveyed, a rate of 80%. Results of the survey…

Nursing Services in Southwest Minnesota Schools (Results of a Survey).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holm, Joyce; Lytwyn, Pat

In an effort to gather and share accurate information about health services provided to children in school districts throughout 18 rural counties of southwest Minnesota, a survey was developed and mailed to 200 public health nursing directors, elementary school principals, and superintendents (122 were returned). Questions sought information about…

Job Satisfaction of Employees at a Christian University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schroder, Ralph

2008-01-01

As part of this quantitative study, a survey questionnaire was mailed out to 835 university employees to measure levels of overall, intrinsic, and extrinsic job satisfaction. The survey included items of the Professional Satisfaction Scale, an instrument developed according to Herzberg's two-factor theory. Responses were measured on a 5-point…

Office Workers Stress Survey Results.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Project, Durham.

A survey of office workers employed by North Carolina telephone companies was conducted to determine the extent and types of health problems experienced by office workers who use video display terminals (VDTs). Data were gathered by questionnaires mailed to 2,478 office workers, with 966 responses. Questions concerning a wide range of health…

Hispanic Administrators in Kentucky

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ballestero, Victor; Wright, Sam

2008-01-01

The study was designed to provide information on Hispanic administrators in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The data was obtained from Kentucky school Superintendents or their designees in 175 public school districts. The Hispanic survey contained six questions. The survey was mailed to Kentucky Superintendents on April 21, 2008. A follow-up survey…

Thickened Liquids: Practice Patterns of Speech-Language Pathologists

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garcia, Jane Mertz; Chambers, Edgar, IV; Molander, Michelle

2005-01-01

This study surveyed the practice patterns of speech-language pathologists in their use of thickened liquids for patients with swallowing difficulties. A 25-item Internet survey about thickened liquids was posted via an e-mail list to members of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Division 13, Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders…

Time Management Study in Academic Libraries. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gothberg, Helen M.; Riggs, Donald E.

This study was undertaken to generate and analyze survey data for evaluating time management practices among directors of large academic libraries. Questionnaires were mailed to 194 library directors and the 159 survey respondents (82%) provided information about their experience and other characteristics; how they allocate their time; to what…

Reader Survey for INSECT ALERTS.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Mason E.; Sauer, Richard J.

To determine what might be done to improve "Insect Alerts," which is a newsletter that carries "information on insect biology, abundance, activity and interpretation of control need," put out through the Michigan Cooperative Extension Service 26 weeks a year, a survey was conducted. A mail questionnaire was sent to all 120 county extension…

Examining Secondary Special Education Teachers' Literacy Instructional Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leko, Melinda M.; Handy, Tamara; Roberts, Carly A.

2017-01-01

This study presents findings from a survey of secondary special education teachers who teach reading. Respondents were 577 special education teachers from a large Midwestern state who completed an online or mail survey. Results based on quantitative and qualitative analyses indicate predominant foci of secondary special education teachers' reading…

Experiential Approaches to Teaching Survey Research: Role Strains and Relationships.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Suelzle, Marijean; And Others

Research and instructional role strains are identified, based on the use of large-scale mail surveys for college self-study that are used to teach introductory research methodology. The two organizational hierarchies, the research model and the instructional model, are examined. Experiences at Northwestern University, Northeastern Illinois…

Why Nannies Leave Their Employing Families.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olsen, Glenn

The position of nanny as a career option for child care/child development/early childhood education graduates is examined. This study surveyed nannies randomly selected from the 1991 International Nanny Association Directory to determine why nannies leave their employing families. Surveys were mailed to 160 nannies; 62 (39%) nannies responded.…

Creating "Good" Graduate Students: A Model for Success.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hahs, Debbie L.

This study analyzed what graduate student assistants believed they needed to persevere and graduate. Most participants were graduate students serving assistantships at the University of Alabama in 1998. The Graduate Student Services Survey was mailed to 1,150 students, and 144 responded. The survey collected information on demographics, employment…

76 FR 52012 - Filing of Plats of Survey: Oregon/Washington

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-19

..., Oregon 97204, upon required payment. A person or party who wishes to protest against a survey must file a..., phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly...

Conducting the Survey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ritter, Lois A., Ed.; Sue, Valerie M., Ed.

2007-01-01

Research regarding the optimal fielding of online surveys is in its infancy and just beginning to offer clear suggestions for effective recruiting of participants as well as techniques for maximizing the response rate. In this article, the authors discuss the process of recruiting participants by e-mailing invitations to a list of recipients…

Therapeutic Nursery Programs: A Survey of Alternative Preschools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marsh, Pamela T.

Noting that therapeutic nursery programs (TNPs) offer one alternative to mainstream daycare or preschool settings for young children experiencing severe emotional and behavioral difficulties, this study gathered information about TNPs and their services. Response rate to a survey mailed to a nonrandom nationwide sample of 40 programs was 50…

School Administrators' Leadership Impact: A View from the Field.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goldman, Paul; And Others

A survey of Oregon school administrators explored the relationships among demographic characteristics, school building and school district constraints, and leadership impact. Methodology involved a mailed survey of 420 administrators, which yielded 319 responses, or a 70 percent response rate, and in-depth personal interviews with 144 respondents.…

New Directions in Intramurals and Recreation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fabian, Louis A.

This survey attempts to verify and delineate the trends in intramural physical education. Surveys were mailed to 395 colleges and universities in November of 1975. Two hundred and thirty three (56.6%) were returned for statistical analysis, but the number of responses to questions varied because not all questions were applicable to every…

78 FR 75920 - Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-13

... mail interviews. Questions related to federal and state health insurance marketplaces will be included... should be received within 30 days of this notice. Proposed Project The National Health Interview Survey... National Health Interview Survey is a major source of general statistics on the health of the U.S...

78 FR 59036 - Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-25

... mail interviews. Questions related to federal and state health insurance marketplaces will be included... days of this notice. Proposed Project National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), (OMB No. 0920-0214... population of the United States. The annual National Health Interview Survey is a major source of general...

Regional Assessment and Participative Evaluation: Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Young, Roger L.; Gould, John A., Jr.

The report surveys the occupational environment of the towns in the region within 30 to 45 minutes' commuting time of North Reading, Massachusetts. A random sample of manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, service, and to a much lesser extent finance, insurance, real estate establishments was surveyed in person or by mail. Information…

Entrepreneurship Education in South Africa: A Nationwide Survey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Co, Mary Jesselyn; Mitchell, Bruce

2006-01-01

Purpose: This paper aims to assess the state of development of entrepreneurship education, determine the importance of entrepreneurship in the South African higher education institutions (HEIs), and offer recommendations for improving preparations for the developing field. Design/methodology/approach: An e-mail survey has been conducted on South…

The Role of Computer Networks in Aerospace Engineering.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bishop, Ann Peterson

1994-01-01

Presents selected results from an empirical investigation into the use of computer networks in aerospace engineering based on data from a national mail survey. The need for user-based studies of electronic networking is discussed, and a copy of the questionnaire used in the survey is appended. (Contains 46 references.) (LRW)

Evaluation of Patient Satisfaction Surveys in Pediatric Orthopaedics.

PubMed

Segal, Lee S; Plantikow, Carla; Hall, Randon; Wilson, Kristina; Shrader, M Wade

2015-01-01

Patient satisfaction survey scores are increasingly being tied to incentive compensation, impact how we practice medicine, influence decisions on where patients seek care, and in the future may be required for accreditation. The goal of this study is to compare the results of an internal distribution of patient satisfaction surveys at the point of care to responses received by mail in a hospital-based, high-volume pediatric orthopaedic practice. A pediatric outpatient survey is used at our institution to evaluate patient satisfaction. Surveys are randomly mailed out to families seen in our clinic by the survey vendor, and the results are determined on a quarterly basis. We distributed the same survey in a similar manner in our clinic. The results of the surveys, external/mailed (EXM) versus internal/point of care (INP) over the same 3-month time period (second quarter 2013) were compared. The survey questions are dichotomized from an ordinal scale into either excellent (9 to 10) or not excellent (0 to 8) commonly used in patient satisfaction methodology. We evaluated the raw data from the INP surveys for the question on provider rating by evaluating the mean score, the standard excellent response (9 to 10), and an expanded excellent response (8 to 10). Response rate was 72/469 (15.4%) for EXM, and 231/333 (69.4%) for INP. An excellent response for the "rating your provider" question was 72.2% (EXM) versus 84.8% (INP) (P=0.015). Our analysis of the raw data (INP) has a mean rating of 9.42. The expanded scale (8 to 10) for an excellent response increased the provider rating to 94.4% (P=0.001). Waiting time response within 15 minutes was the only item that correlated with rating of provider (P=0.02). For the majority of the items, the INP responses were consistently higher than the EXM responses, including 6/7 responses that were statistically significant (P<0.05). As mandated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, patient satisfaction surveys will be important in determining health care outcomes. Properly designed and administered surveys provide robust measures of quality. Our study reinforces methodological concerns about patient satisfaction surveys distributed in a high-volume pediatric subspecialty practice. Further research is needed to evaluate the patients' health care experience and true quality of care in pediatric subspecialty ambulatory settings.

Characterizing Resilience and Growth Among Soldiers: A Trajectory Study

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-04-01

0120 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER Nansook Park 5e. TASK NUMBER e -mail: nspak@umich.edu 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7...tried all available methods to reach potential participants including e -mail, regular mail, phone and social media like Facebook. We were able to...utilize all possible ways of contacting participants including e -mail, regular mail, phone calls, and social media (e.g., Facebook). Furthermore

Direct Marketing Promotion and Electronic Cigarette Use Among US Adults, National Adult Tobacco Survey, 2013-2014.

PubMed

Dai, Hongying; Hao, Jianqiang

2017-09-21

The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among US adults has increased since 2007. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of direct marketing promotion of e-cigarettes and its association with e-cigarette use among US adults. We used using data from the 2013-2014 National Adult Tobacco Survey (NATS) to estimate prevalence of e-cigarette promotions received by mail or email. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the associations between e-cigarette promotions and the prevalence and frequency of e-cigarette use among US adults. In the 2013-2014 survey period, 7.1% of adults (about 16.0 million) reported receiving mail or email e-cigarette promotions in the previous 6 months; 3.2% received mail promotions, and 5.1% received email promotions. A higher prevalence of promotions was found among men versus women, adults aged under 65 years versus those older, current e-cigarette users, current smokers, and people with no smoking restriction rules in their homes or vehicles. In the multivariable analysis, receiving mail or email e-cigarette promotions was associated with higher odds of being current e-cigarette users (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.0; P < .001) than being noncurrent e-cigarette users. Receiving promotions was also associated with higher odds of using e-cigarettes some days (aOR = 1.6; P = .006) or every day (aOR = 1.7; P = .008) than using e-cigarettes rarely. Receipt of e-cigarette direct marketing promotions was prevalent among US adults. Receiving e-cigarette promotions was associated with increased odds of both prevalence and frequency of e-cigarette use. Future longitudinal studies are needed to measure causal effects of e-cigarette promotions on e-cigarette use among adults.

Examining structural and clinical factors associated with implementation of standing orders for adult immunization.

PubMed

Yonas, Michael A; Nowalk, Mary Patricia; Zimmerman, Richard K; Ahmed, Faruque; Albert, Steven M

2012-01-01

A proven method to increase vaccination rates in primary care is a standing orders program (SOP) for nonphysician staff to assess and vaccinate eligible individuals without a specific written physician order. This study describes a mixed methods approach to examining physicians' beliefs and attitudes about and adoption of SOPs for adult immunizations, specifically, influenza and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Focus groups and in-depth interviews of physicians, nurses, practice managers, and the medical director of a managed care health plan were conducted. Results were used to enrich a concise survey based on the Awareness-to-Adherence model of physician behavior and previous research, which was mailed to 1,640 general internists and family physicians nationwide. Barriers to SOPs identified through qualitative methods were lack of interest in changing the status quo, a physician-dominated hierarchy, and fear of malpractice. Facilitators included having an electronic medical record and a practice culture that was open to change. The survey (response rate 67%) confirmed the facilitators and further identified patient, physician, and practice factors that served as barriers to establishing and maintaining SOPs. This mixed methods approach provided the opportunity to develop a tailored and practice-oriented survey for examining the contextual factors influencing clinical providers' decisions to implement SOPs for adult immunization. © 2011 National Association for Healthcare Quality.

Menstrual problems in university students: an electronic mail survey.

PubMed

Anastasakis, E; Kingman, C E; Lee, C A; Economides, D L; Kadir, R A

2008-01-01

To establish the prevalence of menstrual-related problems among university students. A questionnaire regarding gynecological, bleeding and family history was sent by electronic mail (e-mail) to all female students attending University College London (UCL). A total of 767 students aged 18-39 years replied; 71% had a regular menstrual cycle. One in three (n = 264) had received some treatment for their menstrual periods (such as the combined oral contraceptive pill or simple analgesia). Those with heavy or painful periods were more likely to feel that their menstrual problems had a substantial impact on their academic and social life; however, even among those with light periods, one in every four females felt that their life was considerably affected. A considerable prevalence of menstrual-related problems was demonstrated among this young healthy population. Additionally, the use of e-mail could present potential benefits as a research medium for this kind of study.

Animal-Assisted Activities: Results From a Survey of Top-Ranked Pediatric Oncology Hospitals.

PubMed

Chubak, Jessica; Hawkes, Rene

2016-07-01

Animal-assisted activities (AAA) are increasingly common, yet little is known about practices in pediatric oncology. To address this gap, we surveyed the top 20 pediatric oncology hospitals in the United States in May and June of 2014. Questionnaires were sent via e-mail and generally returned by e-mail or postal mail. Among the 19 responding hospitals, the 18 that offered AAA to pediatric patients formed the basis of our analysis. All sites had written AAA policies. Most programs were restricted to dogs. At 11 hospitals, children with cancer could participate in AAA activities. Outpatient waiting rooms and individual inpatient rooms were the most common locations for AAA with pediatric oncology patients. Safety precautions varied by hospital, but all required hand sanitation after visits and that animals receive an annual health examination, be on a leash or in a carrier, be ≥1 year old, and not be directly from a shelter. Our findings reveal consistencies and variations in practice that may help other hospitals develop their own programs and researchers identify areas of future study. © 2015 by Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses.

Mail merge can be used to create personalized questionnaires in complex surveys.

PubMed

Taljaard, Monica; Chaudhry, Shazia Hira; Brehaut, Jamie C; Weijer, Charles; Grimshaw, Jeremy M

2015-10-16

Low response rates and inadequate question comprehension threaten the validity of survey results. We describe a simple procedure to implement personalized-as opposed to generically worded-questionnaires in the context of a complex web-based survey of corresponding authors of a random sample of 300 published cluster randomized trials. The purpose of the survey was to gather more detailed information about informed consent procedures used in the trial, over and above basic information provided in the trial report. We describe our approach-which allowed extensive personalization without the need for specialized computer technology-and discuss its potential application in similar settings. The mail merge feature of standard word processing software was used to generate unique, personalized questionnaires for each author by incorporating specific information from the article, including naming the randomization unit (e.g., family practice, school, worksite), and identifying specific individuals who may have been considered research participants at the cluster level (family doctors, teachers, employers) and individual level (patients, students, employees) in questions regarding informed consent procedures in the trial. The response rate was relatively high (64%, 182/285) and did not vary significantly by author, publication, or study characteristics. The refusal rate was low (7%). While controlled studies are required to examine the specific effects of our approach on comprehension, quality of responses, and response rates, we showed how mail merge can be used as a simple but useful tool to add personalized fields to complex survey questionnaires, or to request additional information required from study authors. One potential application is in eliciting specific information about published articles from study authors when conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

77 FR 15605 - Mobile Commerce and Personalization Promotion

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-16

... automation mailings. Postage Payment Methods Postage payment methods will be restricted to permit imprint.... 2. Standard Mail (including Nonprofit) letters or flats. d. Postage must be paid by permit imprint...

Big game hunting practices, meanings, motivations and constraints: a survey of Oregon big game hunters

Treesearch

Suresh K. Shrestha; Robert C. Burns

2012-01-01

We conducted a self-administered mail survey in September 2009 with randomly selected Oregon hunters who had purchased big game hunting licenses/tags for the 2008 hunting season. Survey questions explored hunting practices, the meanings of and motivations for big game hunting, the constraints to big game hunting participation, and the effects of age, years of hunting...

Industry trends in chip storage and handling

Treesearch

Tim McDonald; Alastair Twaddle

2000-01-01

A survey was conducted of US pulp and paper mills to characterize chip pile management trends. The survey was developed by members of the TAPPI Fiber Raw Material Supply Committee and mailed out in December of 1999. There were a total of 80 respondents to the survey. A typical mill was foudn to maintain one sofhvood and one hardwood chip pile, with maximum inventory of...

How Over 500 Firms Manage the Maintenance Force: Summary Report of a Survey of Maintenance Administrative Ratios.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ramond (Albert) and Associates, Inc., Chicago, IL. Research Planning Div.

A survey questionnaire, directed to determining maintenance administrative ratios, was mailed to 3,685 nation-wide companies. Of the 509 responses, 502 were sufficiently complete to use in the study. The survey data are presented in the form of charts and tables, grouping the companies by the type of manufacturing reported. Each data table is…

How Over 600 Firms Manage the Maintenance Force: Summary Report of a Second Survey of Maintenance Administrative Ratios.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ramond (Albert) and Associates, Inc., Chicago, IL. Research Planning Div.

A survey questionnaire, directed to determining the management of the maintenance force, was mailed to 4,104 nation-wide companies. Of the 669 responses, 623 were sufficiently complete to use in the study. The survey data are presented in the form of charts and tables, grouping the companies by the type of manufacturing reported. Each data table…

FY14-Q1 1.2.1.3.ML.1 INL Biomass Feeding Survey Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tyler L. Westover

2014-04-01

Approximately 20 institutions were contacted by telephone and/or electronic mail and requested to provide responses to a survey on feeding biomass feedstock materials. Fourteen individuals responded. Responses from the participants, including information that was offered in addition to answers to the survey questions are summarized in this report, which fully meets the requirements of the milestone.

Attitudes of Medicare-eligible Americans toward mail service pharmacy.

PubMed

Rupp, Michael T

2013-09-01

For many years, community pharmacies provided mail delivery as a convenience for a small segment of special circumstance patients who requested it. Fueled by a movement among plan sponsors and prescription benefit managers to encourage or require its use, growth in mail service pharmacy began to accelerate in the 1980s and now accounts for nearly 25% of the market in the general population and a much higher percentage of seniors. To assess the attitudes of Medicare-eligible Americans toward concerns that have been raised about mail service pharmacy and its mandated use in the prescription benefit plans of public and private insurance programs. Existing published literature was reviewed, and interviews were conducted with Medicare-eligible persons aged 65 and older to identify potential areas of concern with mail order pharmacy services. A survey was constructed and mailed to a nationally representative random sample of 6,500 persons between the ages of 65 and 79 in July 2012. By the cutoff date, 669 completed surveys had been received, and an additional 221 had been returned as undeliverable, resulting in an overall response rate of 10.7%. Nearly half of respondents listed chain pharmacy as their primary source of prescription medications (47.7%) followed by mail service (34.1%), independent pharmacy (13.1%), and other (5.1%). Responses of seniors residing in rural zip codes compared with those in nonrural zip codes demonstrated significantly higher agreement with several concerns, including lost or stolen medications, receiving the exact medication the physician prescribed, and the effects of exposure to heat, cold, or moisture. Two additional concerns approached statistical significance: the ability to speak with a pharmacist face-to-face and the ability to obtain medications quickly if needed. A total of 533 (83.7%) indicated they would oppose mandated mail order in their current benefit plan if it would cause the local community pharmacy they rely on for immediate medication needs to close. The mean risk of such an eventuality that respondents were willing to accept was 42.2%, indicating they would oppose mandatory mail order if there were greater than about a 4-in-10 chance it would cause the loss of their local pharmacy. Seniors appear to be practical and pragmatic about the sources of their prescription medications. While most see a role for mail service pharmacy, they are also aware of its limitations. Many have needs they believe cannot be adequately met by mail service or have relationships with local pharmacies and pharmacists they believe are important for maintaining their health and well-being. As a result, seniors are relatively risk averse when it comes to the loss of their local community pharmacy, even if they routinely use mail order for most of their medications. Beyond their specific concerns, most seniors oppose any restrictions on their freedom to use the pharmacy of their choice on general principle.

Survey of methods for secure connection to the internet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsui, Shouichi

1994-04-01

This paper describes a study of a security method of protecting inside network computers against outside miscreants and unwelcome visitors and a control method when these computers are connected with the Internet. In the present Internet, a method to encipher all data cannot be used, so that it is necessary to utilize PEM (Privacy Enhanced Mail) capable of the encipherment and conversion of secret information. For preventing miscreant access by eavesdropping password, one-time password is effective. The most cost-effective method is a firewall system. This system lies between the outside and inside network. By limiting computers that directly communicate with the Internet, control is centralized and inside network security is protected. If the security of firewall systems is strictly controlled under correct setting, security within the network can be secured even in open networks such as the Internet.

Early Experience with Employee Choice of Consumer-Directed Health Plans and Satisfaction with Enrollment

PubMed Central

Fowles, Jinnet Briggs; Kind, Elizabeth A; Braun, Barbara L; Bertko, John

2004-01-01

Objective To assess the initial impact of offering consumer-defined health plan (CDHP) options on employees. Data Sources/Study Setting A mail survey of 4,680 employees in the corporate offices of Humana Inc. in June 2001. Study Design The study was a cross-sectional mail survey of employees aged 18 and older who were eligible for health care benefits. The survey was conducted following open enrollment. The primary outcome is the choice of consumer-directed health plan or not; the secondary outcome is satisfaction with the enrollment process. Important covariates include sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, race, educational level, exempt or nonexempt status, type of coverage), health status, health care utilization, and plan design preferences. Data Collection Methods A six-page questionnaire was mailed to the home of each employee, followed by a reminder postcard and two subsequent mailings to nonrespondents. Principal Findings The response rate was 66.2 percent. Seven percent selected one of the two new plan options. Because there were no meaningful differences between employees choosing either of the two new options, these groups were combined in multivariate analysis. A logistic regression modeled the likelihood of choosing the novel plan options. Those selecting the new plans were less likely to be black (odds ratio [OR] 0.46), less likely to have only Humana coverage (OR 0.30), and more likely to have single coverage (OR 1.77). They were less likely to have a chronic health problem (OR 0.56) and more likely to have had no recent medical visits (OR 3.21). They were more likely to believe that lowest premiums were the most important plan attribute (OR 2.89) and to think there were big differences in the premiums of available plans (OR 5.19). Employees in fair or poor health were more likely to have a difficult time during the online enrollment process. They were more likely to find the communications very helpful (OR 0.42) and the benefits information very understandable (OR 0.38). They were less likely to feel that they had enough time to make their enrollment decision (OR 0.47). Conclusions Employees who were attracted to the new CDHP plan options valued the attributes that distinguished these plans from other choices. The shift to consumer-defined plans and to the electronic provision of information, however, requires a significant increase in the communication support for all employees, but particularly for those in fair or poor health whose information needs are the most complex and individualized. PMID:15230917

A Mixed-Methods Study of Patient-Provider E-mail Content in a Safety-Net Setting

PubMed Central

Mirsky, Jacob B.; Tieu, Lina; Lyles, Courtney; Sarkar, Urmimala

2016-01-01

Objective To explore the content of patient-provider e-mails in a safety-net primary care clinic. Methods We conducted a content analysis using inductive and deductive coding of e-mail exchanges (n=31) collected from January through November of 2013. Participants were English-speaking adult patients with a chronic condition (or their caregivers) cared for at a single publicly-funded general internal medicine clinic and their primary care providers (attending general internist physicians, clinical fellows, internal medicine residents, and nurse practitioners). Results All e-mails were non-urgent. Patients included a medical update in 19% of all e-mails. Patients requested action in 77% of e-mails, and the most common requests overall were for action regarding medications or treatment (29%). Requests for information were less common (45% of e-mails). Patient requests (n=56) were resolved in 84% of e-mail exchanges, resulting in 63 actions. Conclusion Patients in safety-net clinics are capable of safely and effectively using electronic messaging for between-visit communication with providers. Practical Implications Safety-net systems should implement electronic communications tools as soon as possible to increase healthcare access and enhance patient involvement in their care. PMID:26332306

Web-based symptom screening in cystic fibrosis patients: A feasibility study.

PubMed

Balzano, Julie; Fresenius, Ashley; Walker, Patricia; Berdella, Maria; Portenoy, Russell K; Bookbinder, Marilyn; Glajchen, Myra; Plachta, Amy; Langfelder-Schwind, Elinor; Chen, Jack; Dhingra, Lara

2016-01-01

Cystic fibrosis (CF) causes high illness burden. Screening may identify patients who could potentially benefit from interventions for symptoms or other sources of distress. We evaluated the feasibility of a web-based system for routine monitoring. Adult CF patients enrolled in a study of palliative care service delivery completed web-based assessments every 30 days on global distress, physical and psychological symptom distress, and the perceived benefits of discussing advance care planning (ACP) with CF clinicians. Feasibility was assessed by the rate of survey completion, survey reminders, and missed surveys during a 9-month rolling enrollment period. Of 74 participants (47.3% women, 94.4% white), 36.7% had comorbid diabetes, and 56.9% had an FEV1% predicted score of 40-69. In total, patients completed 456 (80.6%) of 566 surveys every 30 days over the assessment period. Sixty-five (87.8%) completed 405 (79.7%) of 508 surveys online and 9 (12.2%) completed 51 (88.0%) of 58 surveys using a combination of online, telephone, and mail-based methods. Many surveys were completed without reminders (online: 261 [64.4%] of 405; combined methods: 29 [56.9%] of 51), with 166 (36.4%) surveys requiring 1 or more reminders. Further, 23.0% (17) of patients noted elevated global distress; 20.3% (15) endorsed physical symptom distress, 12.2% (9) had psychological distress, and 58.1% (43) reported that discussing ACP would be beneficial. Repeated web-based screening for symptom distress and ACP preferences is feasible in adult CF patients. Future studies should assess the system's generalizability and staff resources when implementing reminders and non-web methods of completion. Copyright © 2015 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. All rights reserved.

How Do Adolescents Access Health Information? And Do They Ask Their Physicians?

PubMed Central

Ettel, George; Nathanson, Ian; Ettel, Donna; Wilson, Christine; Meola, Paul

2012-01-01

Objective: To improve understanding about how high school students use electronic tools to obtain health information and how this information affects their behavior. Design/Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, we administered an anonymous survey to high school students in grades 9 through 12 at a single private Catholic high school, inquiring about their use of electronic tools to obtain health information, topics of interest, sources used to obtain information, and modifications in their behavior based on that information. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of variance were used to compare trends across grade levels. Results: Of 705 students enrolled, 24.7% were either absent or chose not to participate in the survey. Of the remaining 531 students, 497 completed the surveys, for a response rate of 70.5% (497 of 705) and a participation rate of 93.6% (497 of 531). All students were comfortable using the Internet, and >90% used it at home and in school. Access to broadband applications averaged 95% at home and 80% at school. A significant proportion (0.66; p < 0.0001) of students reported that they trusted the information found online, and 22% (not significant) modified their behavior on the basis of the information they found. Forty-two percent searched for general health information, and 43% investigated specific medical conditions or disease states. Topics related to skin were researched significantly more than nutrition, birth control, and sexually transmitted diseases. Although a significant number of students (p < 0.05) reported conducting e-mail conversations related to health topics with their teachers, <5% had e-mail communications with physicians. Conclusions: These data indicate that most high school students used the Internet and broadband applications at school and at home as resources for health care information. A significant number of students trusted the online information, and at nearly one-quarter subsequently modified their behavior. Students conducted e-mail conversations with teachers about health-related topics, but few students used this tool to communicate with their physicians. This information raises questions about design and implementation of strategies to provide adolescents access to appropriate health care information, including that provided by physicians. PMID:22529757

Email Surveys in Educational Research: Ethical and Net-Cultural Concerns

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nguyen, Chi Hong

2007-01-01

The growth of the Internet and the increasing application of electronic mail in many aspects of business and educational research have urged researchers to reach different individuals across geographical borders with an obvious reduction of costs and time. While the use of email surveys in educational research, as this paper mainly argues, offers…

Stimulant Medication Use, Misuse, and Abuse in an Undergraduate and Graduate Student Sample

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

White, Barbara Prudhomme; Becker-Blease, Kathryn A.; Grace-Bishop, Kathleen

2006-01-01

In this study, the authors investigated the characteristics of use, misuse, and abuse of stimulant medication (primarily methylphenidate and variants) among students at a northeastern US university. Researchers sent an invitation to take an Internet survey to student e-mail addresses and passed 150 paper surveys in undergraduate classes, analyzing…

Private Sector Views of Vocational Education: A Statewide Employer Survey.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Owens, Thomas R.; Monthey, Wanda

A study examined the views of private sector employers in Oregon on vocational education. During the study, researchers mailed questionnaires to a stratified random sample of 1,500 employers throughout Oregon. In addition, they surveyed another 140 employers who were identified as hiring the largest numbers of vocational education completers in…

An Analysis of Student Programmatic Delays in Postsecondary Flight Training Programs: A National Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bryan, Jon L.; Thuemmel, William L.

A study analyzed student delays in flight certification at 106 University Aviation Association (UAA) member postsecondary institutions. After a pilot survey of 5 institutions, questionnaires were mailed to the 101 remaining UAA administrators; 80 responses were returned. Correlations of items in the survey were analyzed and significant…

State Control of Curriculum.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

LaPorte, Diane H.; LaPorte, Ronald E.

The research in this paper was designed to assess the role of the individual state in directing and supervising curriculum matters within the state. Fifty surveys were mailed to the State Education Departments in each of the 50 states. Questions 1-5 of the survey were designed to determine the number of districts in each state, the number of…

Manpower and Financial Resources Allocated to Academic Science and Engineering Activities, 1965-71.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Science Foundation, Washington, DC. Div. of Science Resources Studies.

This report summarizes the results of the National Science Foundation's biennial survey of manpower and financial resources for scientific engineering activities at institutions of higher education, 1971. The survey was conducted by mail questionnaires sent to 2,198 universities and colleges that maintained science and engineering programs, and…

Nutritional and Exercise Aspects of Prader-Willi Syndrome and Childhood Obesity

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-02-01

materials. Participants who returned the completed survey received a $10 gift card by mail. Survey responses were entered into a password-protected...Contact Us Choose Month and Year Monday, April 30, 2012 For a link to our Diabetes Seminars, click below! Subscribe to our iTunes U page for free

The Effects of Two Types of Appeal on Survey Response Rates.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Green, Kathy E.; And Others

The effects of two cover letter manipulations and their interactions with demographic variables on response to the initial mailing of a survey were investigated. The two manipulations, type of appeal and type of respondent group identification, were intended to affect respondents' perceptions of their social responsibility and position. In all,…

Survey of TIAA-CREF Annuitant Households--Accumulated Net Worth and Current Savings Patterns.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heim, Peggy

A study was done of the savings patterns and financial resources of households receiving teacher's retirement insurance benefits. For the survey a mail questionnaire was sent in fall 1988 to a statistically drawn sample of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund annuitants. Over 900 questionnaires were completed…

76 FR 32226 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Producer...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-03

... for OMB Review; Comment Request; Producer Price Index Survey ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department... request (ICR) titled, ``Producer Price Index Survey,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for... number) or by e-mail at [email protected] . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Producer Price Index (PPI...

Career Commitment, Sense of Accomplishment, and Job Satisfaction: A Survey of Medical Technologists.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spencer, Charles T.

Job-related perceptions of medical technologists who had graduated from Illinois State University from 1972 through 1979 were surveyed. Of the 228 mailed questionnaires, 170 were returned. The questionnaire included items in which respondents judged the degree to which self-actualization characteristics were present in their jobs. An additional…

A Survey of Environmental Education in Hamilton County Schools (K-12).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garver, Janice B.

Environmental education (EE) courses and programs offered in grades K-12 in Hamilton County (Ohio) public, private, and parochial schools were surveyed by means of a questionnaire mailed to 67 district level administrators, principals, and teachers. Questionnaires were returned from 5 private, 4 parochial, and 27 public schools, representing a 57…

Teacher Evaluation: Practices and Procedures. ERS Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Educational Research Service, Arlington, VA.

This report presents findings of the 1988 Educational Research Service survey of teacher evaluation practices and procedures in U.S. schools. The survey instrument was mailed to a random sample of 1,730 superintendents of school districts of varying size. The response rate was 52.5 percent. The first section discusses the purposes of teacher…

Numerical Results from Three Surveys on Book Marketing and Selection. A Publisher/Library Forum.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

American Library Association, Chicago, IL. Resources and Technical Services Div.

Publishers, book wholesalers, and librarians were surveyed in early 1974 to provide background data for a program at the American Library Association Annual Conference 1975. Publishers were queried about their relations with libraries, promotional activities (including relations with review media, direct mailings, and advertising), and sales to…

Photocopy Services in ARL Libraries. SPEC Kit 115.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCool, Donna L.

To gather information about the nature of photocopy services in academic libraries and issues relating to their management, a survey was mailed to each of the 117 members of the Association for Research Libraries (ARL). The survey focused on two components of photocopy services: the self-service copiers placed at strategic locations within the…

National College Radio Study: Audience Research and National Programming.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sauls, Samuel J.

A study profiled college radio stations and explored the feasibility of a college radio network. A mail survey was sent in April 1995 to 1,469 college radio stations (including broadcast stations, carrier current stations, closed-circuit campus stations, radiating cable FM, and cable television access stations). A total of 228 surveys were…

Sexual Intimacy in Training and Practice: Setting Limits for Counselors, Psychologists and Educators.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yarris, Elizabeth

The September 1988 newsletter of Commission VII (Counseling and Psychological Services) of the American College Personnel Association contained a survey addressing the issues of sexual intimacy in the training and practice of counselors, psychologists and educators. Approximately 800 surveys were mailed to the commission members. Participation in…

Report on Scottsbluff 1994 Community Needs Survey.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Western Nebraska Community Coll., Scottsbluff. Office of Institutional Research.

In an effort to gather citizens' opinions on utility rates, public service, local amenities, housing, the business climate, and community improvements, the City of Scottsbluff, Nebraska conducted a survey in December 1993. Questionnaires were mailed to 6,313 community residents, asking them to rate elements of the City on a scale of 1…

Building a Case for Conducting Technology Surveys On-Line.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Denton, Jon J.; Strader, Arlen

A Technology in Texas Public Schools 1998 Survey instrument was integrated into a Web-based response system enabling the instrument to be accessed, completed, submitted, and instantaneously analyzed over the Internet. A mark-sense or optical scan paper version of the instrument was also developed for mail-out distribution to each school district…

[A Survey of American Indian Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wells, Robert N.

A survey was conducted to obtain more reliable data on Native Americans in higher education and to ascertain the factor contributing to their success and failure in college. A questionnaire was mailed to 79 colleges and universities serving the largest percentage of Native Americans in the United States. A total of 33 valid responses were…

Survey of Spring 1976 Degree Recipients at North Carolina State University.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Council, Kathryn A.

A questionnaire was administered to 1976 degree recipients at North Carolina State University regarding their post-graduation plans. Those who did not respond to the spring survey and those who responded but reported unemployment were mailed a followup questionnaire. The following information is presented: post-graduation activities of bachelor's…

School Psychologists' Role Concerning Children with Chronic Illnesses in Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barraclough, Camille; Machek, Greg

2010-01-01

The authors examined the role of school psychologists in working with children with chronic illnesses in the schools. A total of 300 practicing school psychologists in public schools, drawn from the National Association of School Psychologists membership directory, completed a standard mail survey. The survey solicited information on (a) graduate…

Violence Prevention after Columbine: A Survey of High School Mental Health Professionals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Crepeau-Hobson, M. Franci; Filaccio, Marylynne; Gottfried, Linda

2005-01-01

The authors examined changes in mental health services and violence prevention strategies in public high schools since the shootings at Columbine High School. Surveys were mailed to school mental health professionals at public high schools in Colorado. Respondents included school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, principals,…

78 FR 16464 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request: National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-15

...: National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (FHWAR) Pre- Screener Test AGENCY.... The first part of the test is a mail operation that will ask household respondents to complete a pre... the 2016 FHWAR, the Census Bureau proposes a two-part test to determine new methodologies for...

Surveying Alumni by Mail: Effect of Booklet/Folder Questionnaire Format and Style of Type on Response Rate.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boser, Judith A.

1990-01-01

Two investigations, each involving a survey of university alumni, found that questionnaire type font (conventional typewriter type and professional-appearing type) and construction (single pages, stapled, and booklet) did not have a significant effect on response rates. Other considerations that may influence questionnaire design decisions are…

Alumni Survey, 1973-1983.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weeks, Ann A.; Sillin, Andrew

A study was conducted at Dutchess Community College (DCC) to provide a broad picture of the further education and employment status of DCC alumni several years after graduation and to determine how satisfied alumni were with the education and services provided by the college. Survey questionnaires were mailed to a random sample of 20% of DCC…

An Integrated Modeling and Observational Study of Three-Dimensional Upper Ocean Boundary Layer Dynamics and Parameterizations

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-04-26

for public release ; distribution is unlimited. 4 Figure 3. First Kuroshio survey. Colors show MODIS SST image. Inset shows the survey...Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. *To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: stevens@scripps.edu 15

Follow-Up Survey of the 1988-1989 Radiography Graduates of Middlesex Community College.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spence, Weymouth

A graduate follow-up survey evaluated student outcomes for the radiography program at Middlesex Community College/Middlesex Memorial Hospital (Connecticut). The program prepares students for entry-level employment as radiographers. The questionnaire, based on input from program officials and respondents, was mailed to 14 1988 and 1989 graduates.…

Colorado Hospital Survey Covering Salaries, Wages, and Selected Personnel Policies and Practices.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Colorado Hospital Association, Denver.

The data presented in this survey were gathered by mailed questionnaires and cover salary data on 28 "key benchmark" job classifications considered to be most representative in Colorado hospitals regardless of size, location, or type. There are tables of selected benefits, personnel policies, and practices together with actual pay rates…

Fruits and Vegetables at Home: Child and Parent Perceptions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robinson-O'Brien, Ramona; Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne; Hannan, Peter J.; Burgess-Champoux, Teri; Haines, Jess

2009-01-01

Objective: Examine child and parent perceptions of home food environment factors and associations with child fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. Design: Research staff administered surveys to children during after-school sessions, and parents completed surveys by mail or over the phone. Setting: Four urban elementary schools in St. Paul, Minnesota,…

Private forest owners and invasive plants: risk perception and management

Treesearch

A. Paige Fischer; Susan Charnley

2012-01-01

We investigated nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) owners' invasive plant risk perceptions and mitigation practices using statistical analysis of mail survey data and qualitative analysis of interview data collected in Oregon's ponderosa pine zone. We found that 52% of the survey sample was aware of invasive plant species considered problematic by local...

Decision Criteria for German Hardwood Lumber Buyers: Market Needs and Purchase

Treesearch

Thomas G. Ponzurick; Robert J. Bush; Dieter Schaupp; Philip A. Araman

1993-01-01

The purpose of this study was to develop a better understanding of hardwood exports to the German market. A mail survey was conducted which resulted in a 47.8 percent rate of response. Of those German hardwood buyers responding to the survey, 71 percent purchased hardwood lumber directly from North America.

E-Book Usage among Chemists, Biochemists and Biologists: Findings of a Survey and Interviews

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhang, Yuening; Beckman, Roger

2011-01-01

An e-book usage survey was sent through departmental mailing lists to the graduate students, scientists and faculty members of the Chemistry Department and Biology Department of Indiana University, Bloomington (IUB). Several faculty members, scientists and graduates students from the Chemistry Department and Biology Department were also contacted…

RESEARCH: Attitudes of Private- and Public-Land Managers in Wyoming, USA, Toward Beaver.

PubMed

McKINSTRY; ANDERSON

1999-01-01

/ A mail survey concerning beaver (Castor canadensis) management in Wyoming, USA, was sent to 5265 private-land managers and 124 public-land managers during 1993. The survey was developed in response to increasing interest in beaver management and beaver reintroduction possibilities. Private-land managers responding to the survey supplied information on 62,859 km2 of land area and 20,037 km of streams. Primary concerns about beaver damage centered on (in decreasing order of importance) blocked irrigation ditches, girdled timber, blocked culverts, and flooded pastures, roads, crops, and timber. Primary benefits that landowners perceive that beaver give them were, in order of importance, elevated water tables, increased riparian vegetation, and increased stock-watering opportunities. Public-land managers also listed these benefits and detriments among their top concerns for beaver. Over 45% of landowners with beaver on their property and all of the public-land managers displayed an interest in a beaver reintroduction program and in more proactive beaver management. KEY WORDS: Beaver; Beaver management; Castor canadensis; Landowners; Mail surveys; Wildlife values; Wildlife damage

Sources of nonresponse to the Federal Waterfowl Hunter Questionnaire Survey

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barker, R.J.; Geissler, P.H.; Hoover, B.A.

1992-01-01

Response rates to the Federal Waterfowl Hunter Questionnaire Survey (WHQS) have declined since the 1950's, suggesting that harvest estimates may be biased. Consequently, we investigated reasons for WHQS nonresponse using surveys of waterfowl hunters in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Texas [USA]. Sampling frames were constructed using lists of buyers of state hunting licenses or state duck stamps. We mailed questionnaires to 16,452 randomly selected hunters, with 2 follow-up mailings at 3-week intervals. Questionnaires were completed by 8,812 respondents, and a further 587 interviews were conducted by telephone. Post offices accounted for between 53.7% (Minn.) and 92.8% (N.J.) of federal waterfowl duck stamp sales, and stores accounted for most other sales. Of hunters who bought a federal waterfowl stamp from sample post offices, between 16.7% (Minn.) and 40.0% (Ark.) reported receiving a WHQS contact card. Of those receiving contact cards, between 30.0% (N.J.) and 64.3% (La. and Tex.) reported returning them. Because survey coverage of the target population is poor, we recommend that a new sampling frame be developed for the WHQS.

Identifying providers of care to individuals with human immunodeficiency virus for a mail survey using a prescription tracking database.

PubMed

Bach, P B; Calhoun, E A; Bennett, C L

1999-02-01

Unlike cancer and other illnesses for which specialists provide the majority of care for affected individuals, care of those infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is provided by generalists and many different types of specialists. To assess the utility of a prescription tracking database in identifying low experience and high-experience providers of such care regardless of specialty, we mailed a survey to 1500 physicians identified as having written prescriptions for agents used in care of HIV-infected individuals in the year before the survey. We discovered that physicians who care for patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the United States come from a broad range of specialties and practice in a variety of settings. Self-report of experience with AIDS care in the prior year was strongly associated with the number of HIV-related prescriptions identified in the tracking information. Response rates were consistent with those of other surveys published in medical journals. This study suggests that prescription tracking databases can be used to identify the breadth of physician/subjects who provide care for patients with HIV infection.

{open_quotes}Media-On-Demand{close_quotes} multimedia electronic mail: A tool for collaboration on the web

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tsoi, Kei Nam; Rahman, S.M.

1996-12-31

Undoubtedly, multimedia electronic mail has many advantages in exchanging information electronically in a collaborative work. The existing design of e-mail systems architecture is inefficient in exchanging multimedia message which has much larger volume, and requires more bandwidth and storage space than the text-only messages. This paper presents an innovative method for exchanging multimedia mail messages in a heterogeneous environment to support collaborative work over YAW on the Internet. We propose a {open_quotes}Parcel Collection{close_quotes} approach for exchanging multimedia electronic mail messages. This approach for exchanging multimedia electronic mail messages integrates the current WWW technologies with the existing electronic mail systems.

Attitudes and knowledge about pain: an assessment of West Virginia family physicians.

PubMed

Ponte, Charles D; Johnson-Tribino, Jennifer

2005-01-01

This study's objective was to determine the attitudes/beliefs and knowledge of West Virginia's family physicians regarding evaluation and treatment of patients with pain. A 20-item instrument (10 attitudinal/behavioral and 10 knowledge items) was mailed to 537 members of the West Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians in October 2002. Five percent of the surveys were mailed to out-of-state members. No follow-up questionnaire was mailed. A total of 186 surveys (186/537, 34.6%) were returned. The typical respondent was a male ages 30-54 graduating in 1983 or later and having 15.5 years of practice experience. The majority of respondents were in a solo or group practice. There were no differences in response rates according to age, gender, years in practice, and practice setting. Chronic nonmalignant pain and assessing pain in the elderly are problematic for many physician providers. Perceived regulatory scrutiny does impact physician prescribing of opioids for patients in pain. Knowledge gaps were uncovered in the areas of fentanyl administration, the use of propoxyphene in the elderly, the management of opioid-induced constipation, laxative prescription, and the use of oxygen to manage opioid-induced respiratory depression. The majority of respondents felt that their formal medical training did not prepare them to effectively manage pain. This survey provides valuable insight into the attitudes/behaviors and knowledge about pain and its management by West Virginia family physicians. A national sample, using a revised instrument, is needed to more fully characterize and validate the findings from this statewide survey.

Restoring Bladder Function by Spinal Cord Neuromodulation in SCI

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-10-01

conduct interviews/ surveys , recruit participants, obtain consent, review records, etc. View For existing protocols: Item 2.0 has been modified and...apply: A mechanism such as Survey Monkey, Zoomerang, or an e-mail anonymizing service will be used to strip off the IP addresses for data submitted via...attach the following: Protocol, Dissertation Proposal or Study Plan Preliminary Data Surveys , Questionnaires or other instruments to be used with

Ethical and Economic Issues. Policy Surveys: 1. Planning Survey; 2. State-Wide Coordinating Agencies; University Central Offices, Community College Systems Offices; 3. Private Foundations; 4. Higher Education Associations, Professional Associations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Linnell, Robert H.; Marsh, Herbert W.

Policy questions regarding activities for which university faculty, administrators, and professional staff might derive additional income were examined in four mail surveys along with the impact of those activities on the individuals, the university, and society. Some of the activities considered include overload teaching, research, consulting,…

Instrumentation Needs of Academic Departments of Chemistry: A Survey Study. Report of a Joint Task Force of the Committee on Science and Committee on Chemistry and Public Affairs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

American Chemical Society, Washington, DC.

A questionnaire was mailed to 50 major chemistry departments, 112 smaller chemistry departments, and 25 chemical engineering (CE) departments. The survey (included in an appendix) consists of a series of questions on two broad subjects--the current inventory at the surveyed institutions and the needs for instrumentation. Responses were received…

2008 Post-Election Voting Survey of Federal Civilians Overseas: Tabulations of Responses

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-08-01

weights for this survey. Westat performed data collection and editing. DMDC’s Survey Technology Branch, under the guidance of Frederick Licari, Branch...person on election day, definitely mail or fax a completed absentee ballot on or before November 4, 2008, definitely not vote, or are you not...15 14. Even though you did not vote, did you request an absentee ballot for the November 4, 2008 election

Recruiting general practitioners for surveys: reflections on the difficulties and some lessons learned.

PubMed

Parkinson, Anne; Jorm, Louisa; Douglas, Kirsty A; Gee, Alison; Sargent, Ginny M; Lujic, Sanja; McRae, Ian S

2015-01-01

Surveys of GPs are essential to facilitate future planning and delivery of health services. However, recruitment of GPs into research has been disappointing with response rates declining over recent years. This study identified factors that facilitated or hampered GP recruitment in a recent survey of Australian GPs where a range of strategies were used to improve recruitment following poor initial responses. GP response rates for different stages of the survey were examined and compared with reasons GPs and leaders of university research networks cited for non-participation. Poor initial response rates were improved by including a questionnaire in the mail-out, changing the mail-out source from an unknown research team to locally known network leaders, approaching a group of GPs known to have research and training interests, and offering financial compensation. Response rates increased from below 1% for the first wave to 14.5% in the final wave. Using a known and trusted network of professionals to endorse the survey combined with an explicit compensation payment significantly enhanced GP response rates. To obtain response rates for surveys of GPs that are high enough to sustain external validity requires an approach that persuades GPs and their gatekeepers that it is worth their time to participate.

Aphasia centers in North America: a survey.

PubMed

Simmons-Mackie, Nina; Holland, Audrey L

2011-08-01

There is a growing trend toward dedicated programs designed to improve the lives of people with aphasia and their families. We are referring to these programs collectively as "aphasia centers." These programs purportedly differ from more traditional medically based aphasia rehabilitation. However, there is no directory of aphasia centers and no definition of what constitutes such a program. Therefore, an online survey was designed to identify and describe aphasia centers in the United States and Canada. A 37-question survey was posted online via SurveyMonkey. An introductory letter was distributed by electronic mail to a listserv and mailing lists of programs associated with aphasia. Potential respondents who considered themselves an aphasia center were asked to complete the survey. A total of 33 survey responses were analyzed, and descriptive data were compiled resulting in a description of the following aspects of aphasia centers: demographic information, mission, admission and discharge policies, assessment practices, program logistics, staffing patterns, marketing, funding, and services offered. In addition, a qualitative analysis of written text responses revealed the following key themes that appear to characterize the responding programs: services that differ from traditional aphasia rehabilitation; a sense of community; a holistic focus on quality of life, psychosocial well-being, participation, and social support; the centrality of group interaction; and variety/intensity of services. © Thieme Medical Publishers.

Gender and online privacy among teens: risk perception, privacy concerns, and protection behaviors.

PubMed

Youn, Seounmi; Hall, Kimberly

2008-12-01

Survey data from 395 high school students revealed that girls perceive more privacy risks and have a higher level of privacy concerns than boys. Regarding privacy protection behaviors, boys tended to read unsolicited e-mail and register for Web sites while directly sending complaints in response to unsolicited e-mail. This study found girls to provide inaccurate information as their privacy concerns increased. Boys, however, refrained from registering to Web sites as their concerns increased.

FAMNET: The Use of an Electronic Mail System in Canadian Academic Family Medicine

PubMed Central

Ostbye, Truls; Needler, M.C.; Shires, David B.

1988-01-01

The major Canadian universities are connected via a computer communications network called `Netnorth'. We have used Netnorth's accessible, low-cost, electronic mail system to develop a network of academic Family Medicine users (Famnet). We then tested Famnet's utility for conducting rapid surveys. Famnet shows promise of being a useful means of undertaking regular inter-departmental communication. This system may also increase collegiality among Canadian Departments of Family Medicine and facilitate international communication in family medicine. PMID:21264023

The Kaiser Permanente Northern California Adult Member Health Survey.

PubMed

Gordon, Nancy; Lin, Teresa

2016-01-01

The Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) Member Health Survey (MHS) is used to describe sociodemographic and health-related characteristics of the adult membership of this large, integrated health care delivery system to monitor trends over time, identify health disparities, and conduct research. To provide an overview of the KPNC MHS and share findings that illustrate how survey statistics and data have been and can be used for research and programmatic purposes. The MHS is a large-scale, institutional review board-approved survey of English-speaking KPNC adult members. The confidential survey has been conducted by mail triennially starting in 1993 with independent age-sex and geographically stratified random samples, with an option for online completion starting in 2005. The full survey sample and survey data are linkable at the individual level to Health Plan and geocoded data. Respondents are assigned weighting factors for their survey year and additional weighting factors for analysis of pooled survey data. Statistics from the 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008, and 2011 surveys show trends in sociodemographic and health-related characteristics and access to the Internet and e-mail for the adult membership aged 25 to 79 years and for 6 age-sex subgroups. Pooled data from the 2008 and 2011 surveys show many significant differences in these characteristics across the 5 largest race/ethnic groups in KPNC (non-Hispanic whites, blacks, Latinos, Filipinos, and Chinese). The KPNC MHS has yielded unique insights and provides an opportunity for researchers and public health organizations outside of KPNC to leverage our survey-generated statistics and collaborate on epidemiologic and health services research studies.

Professional e-mail communication among health care providers: proposing evidence-based guidelines.

PubMed

Malka, S Terez; Kessler, Chad S; Abraham, John; Emmet, Thomas W; Wilbur, Lee

2015-01-01

E-mail is now a primary method of correspondence in health care, and proficiency with professional e-mail use is a vital skill for physicians. Fundamentals of e-mail courtesy can be derived from lay literature, but there is a dearth of scientific literature that addresses the use of e-mail between physicians. E-mail communication between providers is generally more familiar and casual than other professional interactions, which can promote unprofessional behavior or misunderstanding. Not only e-mail content but also wording, format, and tone may influence clinical recommendations and perceptions of the e-mail sender. In addition, there are serious legal and ethical implications when unprofessional or unsecured e-mails related to patient-identifying information are exchanged or included within an electronic medical record. The authors believe that the appropriate use of e-mail is a vital skill for physicians, with serious legal and ethical ramifications and the potential to affect professional development and patient care. In this article, the authors analyze a comprehensive literature search, explore several facets of e-mail use between physicians, and offer specific recommendations for professional e-mail use.

How do family physicians measure blood pressure in routine clinical practice? National survey of Canadian family physicians.

PubMed

Kaczorowski, Janusz; Myers, Martin G; Gelfer, Mark; Dawes, Martin; Mang, Eric J; Berg, Angelique; Grande, Claudio Del; Kljujic, Dragan

2017-03-01

To describe the techniques currently used by family physicians in Canada to measure blood pressure (BP) for screening for, diagnosing, and treating hypertension. A Web-based cross-sectional survey distributed by e-mail. Stratified random sample of family physicians in Canada. Family physician members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada with valid e-mail addresses. Physicians' self-reported routine methods for recording BP in their practices to screen for, diagnose, and manage hypertension. A total of 774 valid responses were received, for a response rate of 16.2%. Respondents were similar to nonrespondents except for underrepresentation of male physicians. Of 769 respondents, 417 (54.2%) indicated that they used manual office BP measurement with a mercury or aneroid device and stethoscope as the routine method to screen patients for high BP, while 42.9% (330 of 769) reported using automated office BP (AOBP) measurement. The method most frequently used to make a diagnosis of hypertension was AOBP measurement (31.1%, 240 of 771), followed by home BP measurement (22.4%, 173 of 771) and manual office BP measurement (21.4%, 165 of 771). Ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) was used for diagnosis by 14.4% (111 of 771) of respondents. The most frequently reported method for ongoing management was home BP monitoring (68.7%, 528 of 769), followed by manual office BP measurement (63.6%, 489 of 769) and AOBP measurement (59.2%, 455 of 769). More than three-quarters (77.8%, 598 of 769) of respondents indicated that ABPM was readily available for their patients. Canadian family physicians exhibit overall high use of electronic devices for BP measurement, However, more efforts are needed to encourage practitioners to follow current Canadian guidelines, which advocate the use of AOBP measurement for hypertension screening, ABPM and home BP measurement for making a diagnosis, and both AOBP and home BP monitoring for ongoing management. Copyright© the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

Attitudes, knowledge and behavior of Japanese physical therapists with regard to evidence-based practice and clinical practice guidelines: a cross-sectional mail survey

PubMed Central

Fujimoto, Shuhei; Kon, Noriko; Takasugi, Jun; Nakayama, Takeo

2017-01-01

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate Japanese physical therapists’ attitudes of evidence-based practice and clinical practice guidelines. [Subjects and Methods] In 2014, a cross-sectional postal mail survey using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted. Of 2,982 physical therapists belonging to the Chiba Prefecture Physical Therapist Association, 1,000 were randomly selected. The questionnaire comprised 42 items pertaining to the attitudes of and behavior toward evidence-based practice and clinical practice guidelines. It was investigated to reveal the relationship between clinical practice guidelines/evidence-based practice and therapist characteristics. [Results] The response rate was 39.6%, and 384 questionnaires were available. The main results were as follows: 83.3% participants agreed to the importance of evidence-based practice, 77.1% agree to that evidence-based practice supports clinical decision of physical therapists, and about 11% agreed to have been educated about evidence-based practice. Then, 29.2% used, 54.9% agreed to the importance of, and 13.3% agreed to the utility of clinical practice guidelines. An important factor related mostly to a positive attitude, knowledge and behavior of evidence-based practice and clinical practice guidelines was participating in research activities. [Conclusion] Many of physical therapists do not use and understand the importance of clinical practice guidelines. Participating in research activities may partially contribute to improving these conditions. PMID:28265139