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Edwards PJ, Roberts I, Clarke MJ, DiGuiseppi C, Woolf B, Perkins C. Methods to increase response to postal and electronic questionnaires. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 11:MR000008. [PMID: 38032037 PMCID: PMC10687884 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.mr000008.pub5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-administered questionnaires are widely used to collect data in epidemiological research, but non-response reduces the effective sample size and can introduce bias. Finding ways to increase response to postal and electronic questionnaires would improve the quality of epidemiological research. OBJECTIVES To identify effective strategies to increase response to postal and electronic questionnaires. SEARCH METHODS We searched 14 electronic databases up to December 2021 and manually searched the reference lists of relevant trials and reviews. We contacted the authors of all trials or reviews to ask about unpublished trials; where necessary, we also contacted authors to confirm the methods of allocation used and to clarify results presented. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised trials of methods to increase response to postal or electronic questionnaires. We assessed the eligibility of each trial using pre-defined criteria. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We extracted data on the trial participants, the intervention, the number randomised to intervention and comparison groups and allocation concealment. For each strategy, we estimated pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) in a random-effects model. We assessed evidence for selection bias using Egger's weighted regression method and Begg's rank correlation test and funnel plot. We assessed heterogeneity amongst trial odds ratios using a Chi2 test and quantified the degree of inconsistency between trial results using the I2 statistic. MAIN RESULTS Postal We found 670 eligible trials that evaluated over 100 different strategies of increasing response to postal questionnaires. We found substantial heterogeneity amongst trial results in half of the strategies. The odds of response almost doubled when: using monetary incentives (odds ratio (OR) 1.86; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.73 to 1.99; heterogeneity I2 = 85%); using a telephone reminder (OR 1.96; 95% CI 1.03 to 3.74); and when clinical outcome questions were placed last (OR 2.05; 95% CI 1.00 to 4.24). The odds of response increased by about half when: using a shorter questionnaire (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.40 to 1.78); contacting participants before sending questionnaires (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.23 to 1.51; I2 = 87%); incentives were given with questionnaires (i.e. unconditional) rather than when given only after participants had returned their questionnaire (i.e. conditional on response) (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.35 to 1.74); using personalised SMS reminders (OR 1.53; 95% CI 0.97 to 2.42); using a special (recorded) delivery service (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.36 to 2.08; I2 = 87%); using electronic reminders (OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.10 to 2.33); using intensive follow-up (OR 1.69; 95% CI 0.93 to 3.06); using a more interesting/salient questionnaire (OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.12 to 2.66); and when mentioning an obligation to respond (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.16 to 2.22). The odds of response also increased with: non-monetary incentives (OR 1.16; 95% CI 1.11 to 1.21; I2 = 80%); a larger monetary incentive (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.15 to 1.33); a larger non-monetary incentive (OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.33); when a pen was included (OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.38 to 1.50); using personalised materials (OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.21; I2 = 57%); using a single-sided rather than a double-sided questionnaire (OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.25); using stamped return envelopes rather than franked return envelopes (OR 1.23; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.33; I2 = 69%), assuring confidentiality (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.24 to 1.42); using first-class outward mailing (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.21); and when questionnaires originated from a university (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.54). The odds of response were reduced when the questionnaire included questions of a sensitive nature (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.88 to 1.00). Electronic We found 88 eligible trials that evaluated over 30 different ways of increasing response to electronic questionnaires. We found substantial heterogeneity amongst trial results in half of the strategies. The odds of response tripled when: using a brief letter rather than a detailed letter (OR 3.26; 95% CI 1.79 to 5.94); and when a picture was included in an email (OR 3.05; 95% CI 1.84 to 5.06; I2 = 19%). The odds of response almost doubled when: using monetary incentives (OR 1.88; 95% CI 1.31 to 2.71; I2 = 79%); and using a more interesting topic (OR 1.85; 95% CI 1.52 to 2.26). The odds of response increased by half when: using non-monetary incentives (OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.25 to 2.05); using shorter e-questionnaires (OR 1.51; 95% CI 1.06 to 2.16; I2 = 94%); and using a more interesting e-questionnaire (OR 1.85; 95% CI 1.52 to 2.26). The odds of response increased by a third when: offering survey results as an incentive (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.59); using a white background (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.10 to 1.56); and when stressing the benefits to society of response (OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.78; I2 = 41%). The odds of response also increased with: personalised e-questionnaires (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.17 to 1.32; I2 = 41%); using a simple header (OR 1.23; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.48); giving a deadline (OR 1.18; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.34); and by giving a longer time estimate for completion (OR 1.25; 95% CI 0.96 to 1.64). The odds of response were reduced when: "Survey" was mentioned in the e-mail subject (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.67 to 0.97); when the email or the e-questionnaire was from a male investigator, or it included a male signature (OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.38 to 0.80); and by using university sponsorship (OR 0.84; 95%CI 0.69 to 1.01). The odds of response using a postal questionnaire were over twice those using an e-questionnaire (OR 2.33; 95% CI 2.25 to 2.42; I2 = 98%). Response also increased when: providing a choice of response mode (electronic or postal) rather than electronic only (OR 1.76 95% CI 1.67 to 1.85; I2 = 97%); and when administering the e-questionnaire by computer rather than by smartphone (OR 1.62 95% CI 1.36 to 1.94). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Researchers using postal and electronic questionnaires can increase response using the strategies shown to be effective in this Cochrane review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip James Edwards
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ian Roberts
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Mike J Clarke
- Centre for Public Health, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Carolyn DiGuiseppi
- Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Benjamin Woolf
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Falk D, Tooze JA, Winkfield KM, Bell RA, Morris B, Strom C, Copus E, Shore K, Weaver KE. A comparison of survey incentive methods to recruit rural cancer survivors into cancer care delivery research studies. Cancer Causes Control 2022; 33:1381-1386. [PMID: 35986825 PMCID: PMC10112050 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-022-01621-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Unconditional (upfront) incentives are proposed to improve acceptance of cancer research among underrepresented, racial/ethnic minority populations, but few studies have tested incentive strategies among rural cancer survivors. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic characteristics of survey respondents, and response rates by arm were compared using Chi-square tests. We compared upfront ($2) and response-based ($10 conditional) incentives in a mailed survey of adult post-treatment rural survivors. Individuals meeting eligibility criteria from the electronic medical record (n = 2,830) were randomized into two incentive arms (n = 1,414 for the upfront arm and n = 1,416 for the contingent arm). Of the total delivered, presumed eligible participants (n = 1,304 upfront arm; n = 1,317 contingent arm), 67.8% were aged 65y+, 49.8% were female, and 95.1% were non-Hispanic white. The response rate for all participants was 18.5%. We received eligible surveys from 281 rural survivors in the first arm (response rate: 21.5%); and 205 surveys in the second arm (response rate: 15.6%). Participants who received the upfront incentive had a higher response rate than those receiving a response-based incentive, X2 (1, 2,621) = 15.53, p < 0.0001. Incentivizing survey completion with an upfront $2 bill encouraged a higher survey response rate; other supplemental strategies are needed to achieve a higher response rate for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek Falk
- Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA.
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
| | - Janet A Tooze
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
- Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Karen M Winkfield
- Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance, 1005 Dr. DB Todd Jr. Blvd, Nashville, TN, 37208, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Preston Research Building, Rm B-1003, 2220 Pierce Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232-5671, USA
| | - Ronny A Bell
- Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
- Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Bonny Morris
- Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Carla Strom
- Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Emily Copus
- Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Kelsey Shore
- Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Kathryn E Weaver
- Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
- Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
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Hathaway CA, Chavez MN, Kadono M, Ketcher D, Rollison DE, Siegel EM, Peoples AR, Ulrich CM, Penedo FJ, Tworoger SS, Gonzalez BD. Improving Electronic Survey Response Rates Among Cancer Center Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mixed Methods Pilot Study. JMIR Cancer 2021; 7:e30265. [PMID: 34156965 PMCID: PMC8360334 DOI: 10.2196/30265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surveys play a vital role in cancer research. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of electronic surveys is crucial to improve understanding of the patient experience. However, response rates to electronic surveys are often lower compared with those of paper surveys. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the best approach to improve response rates for an electronic survey administered to patients at a cancer center during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS We contacted 2750 patients seen at Moffitt Cancer Center in the prior 5 years via email to complete a survey regarding their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, with patients randomly assigned to a series of variations of prenotifications (ie, postcard, letter) or incentives (ie, small gift, modest gift card). In total, eight combinations were evaluated. Qualitative interviews were conducted to understand the level of patient understanding and burden with the survey, and quantitative analysis was used to evaluate the response rates between conditions. RESULTS A total of 262 (9.5%) patients completed the survey and 9 participated in a qualitative interview. Interviews revealed minimal barriers in understanding or burden, which resulted in minor survey design changes. Compared to sending an email only, sending a postcard or letter prior to the email improved response rates from 3.7% to 9.8%. Similarly, inclusion of an incentive significantly increased the response rate from 5.4% to 16.7%, especially among racial (3.0% to 12.2%) and ethnic (6.4% to 21.0%) minorities, as well as among patients with low socioeconomic status (3.1% to 14.9%). CONCLUSIONS Strategies to promote effective response rates include prenotification postcards or letters as well as monetary incentives. This work can inform future survey development to increase response rates for electronic surveys, particularly among hard-to-reach populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra A Hathaway
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Melody N Chavez
- Participant Research, Interventions, and Measurements Core, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Mika Kadono
- The AltaMed Institute for Health Equity, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Dana Ketcher
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Dana E Rollison
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Erin M Siegel
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Anita R Peoples
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.,Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Cornelia M Ulrich
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.,Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Frank J Penedo
- Departments of Medicine and Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Shelley S Tworoger
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States.,Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Brian D Gonzalez
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
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van Gelder MMHJ, Vlenterie R, IntHout J, Engelen LJLPG, Vrieling A, van de Belt TH. Most response-inducing strategies do not increase participation in observational studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Epidemiol 2018. [PMID: 29518475 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2018.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate response-inducing strategies for observational studies using health-related questionnaires or interviews. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science up to December 28, 2017. Studies evaluating the effect of a response-inducing strategy on participation rates of observational studies were included. For each strategy, we estimated pooled response ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in a Hartung-Knapp/Sidik-Jonkman random effects model with the final participation rate as outcome, stratified for type of participants and method of data collection. RESULTS The search yielded 168 eligible studies involving 367,616 potential participants and 33 strategies. Among patients, response-inducing strategies for paper-based questionnaires included unconditional monetary incentives (response ratio 1.15; 95% CI 1.09-1.21) and shorter questionnaires (1.04; 1.02-1.06). Among nonpatients, a personalized mode of delivery (1.47; 1.24-1.74), more expensive mailing type (1.25; 1.00-1.56), unconditional monetary incentives (1.24; 1.12-1.38), prenotification (1.12; 1.03-1.22), unconditional scratch lottery tickets (1.09; 1.01-1.18), and shorter questionnaires (1.06; 1.02-1.11) increased response rates to paper-based questionnaires. For Web-based questionnaires and interviews among nonpatients, response rates were increased by conditional lottery tickets (1.17; 1.02-1.34) and conditional monetary incentives (1.39; 1.01-1.91), respectively. CONCLUSION Although the majority of strategies evaluated were unsuccessful, some may increase response rates to observational studies, particularly among nonpatients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marleen M H J van Gelder
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Radboud REshape Innovation Center, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Richelle Vlenterie
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Joanna IntHout
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lucien J L P G Engelen
- Radboud REshape Innovation Center, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alina Vrieling
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tom H van de Belt
- Radboud REshape Innovation Center, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Zhou ES, Bober SL, Nekhlyudov L, Hu JC, Kantoff PW, Recklitis CJ. Physical and emotional health information needs and preferences of long-term prostate cancer survivors. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2016; 99:2049-2054. [PMID: 27439668 PMCID: PMC5675563 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2016.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Many men diagnosed with prostate cancer (PC) will experience physical and psychosocial late effects of treatment. Their interest/preferences for receiving information about addressing common sequelae is not well understood. We examined long-term PC survivors' level of interest, whether this differed based upon symptomatology, and their preferred coping information source. METHODS N=615 PC survivors (3-8 years post-diagnosis) completed a survey on physical and psychological health and their information interests and preferences related to late effects of cancer treatment. RESULTS Over half of PC survivors reported interest in information about late effects of treatment or sexual health, while approximately a quarter were interested in emotional health information. Survivors preferred to receive information about late effects of treatment from their oncologists, sexual health information from their primary care providers (PCP), oncologist, or written/online resources, and emotional health information from their PCP. Information needs were more commonly reported among men with poorer domain-specific health functioning. CONCLUSION Long-term PC survivors report significant interest in receiving information about their physical, sexual, and emotional health. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Medical providers caring for these men should inquire about survivors' information needs and future intervention efforts should consider who delivers the information, dependent upon the type of dysfunction reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric S Zhou
- Perini Family Survivors' Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Sharon L Bober
- Perini Family Survivors' Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Larissa Nekhlyudov
- Perini Family Survivors' Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Jim C Hu
- Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Philip W Kantoff
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 600 Third Avenue, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Christopher J Recklitis
- Perini Family Survivors' Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, USA.
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van Gelder MMHJ, Geuijen PM, de Vries JHM, Roeleveld N. Effects of estimated completion time and unconditional gift certificates on questionnaire response. J Epidemiol Community Health 2016; 71:520. [PMID: 27836918 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2016-208555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marleen M H J van Gelder
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Radboud REshape Innovation Center, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Pauline M Geuijen
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jeanne H M de Vries
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nel Roeleveld
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Paediatrics, Radboudumc Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Drummond FJ, O'Leary E, Sharp L. Lottery ticket was more effective than a prize draw in increasing questionnaire response among cancer survivors. J Clin Epidemiol 2015; 68:769-75. [PMID: 25704725 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2015.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Revised: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Compare the effect of financial incentives on response to a cancer survivors' postal questionnaire. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING Prostate cancer survivors in Ireland, 1.5-18 years after diagnosis, were randomized to the (1) "lottery" arm [a € 1 lottery scratch card sent with the questionnaire (n = 2,413)] or (2) "prize" arm [entry into a draw on return of a completed questionnaire (n = 2,407)]. Impact of interventions on response overall and by survival period ("short term": < 5 years after diagnosis; "long term": ≥ 5 years after diagnosis) was compared as was cost-effectiveness. RESULTS Adjusted response rate was 54.4%. Response was higher among younger men (P < 0.001) and those with earlier stage disease (P = 0.002). A modest 2.6% higher response rate was observed in the lottery compared with the prize arm [multivariate relative risk (RR) = 1.06; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00, 1.11]. When stratified by survival period, higher response in the lottery arm was only observed among long-term survivors (multivariate RR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.19; short-term survivors: RR = 1.01; 95% CI: 0.94, 1.09). Costs per completed questionnaire were € 4.54 and € 3.57 for the lottery and prize arms, respectively. Compared with the prize arm, cost per additional questionnaire returned in the lottery arm was € 25.65. CONCLUSION Although more expensive, to optimize response to postal questionnaires among cancer survivors, researchers might consider inclusion of a lottery scratch card.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances J Drummond
- National Cancer Registry Ireland, Building 6800, Airport Business Park, Airport Rd, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Eamonn O'Leary
- National Cancer Registry Ireland, Building 6800, Airport Business Park, Airport Rd, Cork, Ireland
| | - Linda Sharp
- National Cancer Registry Ireland, Building 6800, Airport Business Park, Airport Rd, Cork, Ireland
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Zhou ES, Hu JC, Kantoff PW, Recklitis CJ. Identifying suicidal symptoms in prostate cancer survivors using brief self-report. J Cancer Surviv 2014; 9:59-67. [PMID: 25135206 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-014-0385-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Prostate cancer (PC) survivors are at elevated risk for completed suicide even many years post-treatment. Despite this risk, practical and efficient methods for assessing these symptoms have not been established. We sought to determine if suicidal symptoms could be effectively and efficiently identified in a cohort of PC survivors, and whether these men were receptive to emotional health interventions. METHODS Six hundred fifty-six PC survivors, an average of 5 years post-diagnosis, completed eight self-report items about suicidal symptoms and behavior in the past 7 days, and 12 months, as well as medical utilization and interest in emotional health support. RESULTS Between 3.6 and 17.9% of PC survivors endorsed a single suicidal ideation item, and denied all other ideation. All survivors who endorsed serious suicidal ideation/behavior also endorsed either passive or active ideation. 58.3% of survivors denied any suicidal symptoms within the past week, but endorsed it within the past year. Most survivors had medical provider contact within the past year and were open to receiving information about emotional health interventions. CONCLUSIONS Suicidal ideation in PC survivors cannot be accurately evaluated using only a one-item screen, or by inquiring within a single time frame. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS In both research and clinical settings, the evaluation for suicidal ideation in PC survivors should utilize multiple questions, across several time periods. It is possible to skip queries about serious ideation/behavior if passive or active ideation is denied. Once identified, medical providers should refer these men to psychosocial providers who can offer emotional support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric S Zhou
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
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