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Response rates for patient-reported outcomes using web-based versus paper questionnaires: comparison of two invitational methods in older colorectal cancer patients
- Source :
- Journal of Medical Internet Research, Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR), 17(5):e111. JMIR PUBLICATIONS, INC, Journal of Medical Internet Research, Vol 17, Iss 5, p e111 (2015)
- Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Background: Improving questionnaire response rates is an everlasting issue for research. Today, the Internet can easily be used to collect data quickly. However, collecting data on the Internet can lead to biased samples because not everyone is able to access or use the Internet. The older population, for example, is much less likely to use the Internet. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Initial Treatment and Long-Term Evaluation of Survivorship (PROFILES) registry offers a platform to collect Web-based and paper questionnaires and to try different measures to improve response rates.Objective: In this study, our aim was to study the influence of two methods of invitation on the response rate. Our second aim was to examine the preference of questionnaire mode of administration (paper or Web-based) for the older patient in particular.Methods: To test these two invitational methods, 3406 colorectal cancer patients between ages 18 and 85 years received an invitation containing an access code for the Web-based questionnaire. They could also request a paper questionnaire with an included reply card (paper-optional group). In contrast, 179 randomly selected colorectal cancer patients received a paper questionnaire with the invitation (paper-included group). They could also choose to fill out the Web-based questionnaire with the included access code.Results: Response rates did not differ between the paper-optional and the paper-included groups (73.14%, 2491/3406 and 74.9%, 134/179, P=.57). In the paper-optional group, online response was significantly higher when compared to the paper-included group (41.23%, 1027/2491 vs 12.7%, 17/134, PConclusions: The lack of difference in response rates between invitation modes implies that researchers can leave out a paper questionnaire at invitation without lowering response rates. It may be preferable not to include a paper questionnaire because more respondents then will fill out a Web-based questionnaire, which will lead to faster available data. However, due to respondent preference, it is not likely that paper questionnaires can be left out completely in the near future.Keywords: Internet; questionnaires; aged; aged, 80 and over; cancer, colon; cancer, rectum; characteristics, population; survey methods; respondents; patient-reported outcomes
- Subjects :
- Gerontology
Adult
Male
Paper
medicine.medical_specialty
Health Informatics
lcsh:Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics
cancer, rectum
Survey methodology
Young Adult
Survivorship curve
Surveys and Questionnaires
respondents
medicine
Humans
Registries
Young adult
Response rate (survey)
Aged, 80 and over
Internet
Original Paper
Data collection
business.industry
lcsh:Public aspects of medicine
Data Collection
lcsh:RA1-1270
Middle Aged
questionnaires
3. Good health
Test (assessment)
Patient Outcome Assessment
aged
survey methods
patient-reported outcomes
Family medicine
Respondent
lcsh:R858-859.7
The Internet
Female
characteristics, population
business
Colorectal Neoplasms
cancer, colon
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14388871
- Volume :
- 17
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of medical Internet research
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....e00110376d00ab6b48e0c085dc9fa67c