Recruiting general practitioners for surveys: reflections on the difficulties and some lessons learned

• DOI: 10.1071/py13129
• Publication Date: 2014-03-03T00:38:48Z
• Authors: Anne Parkinson; Louisa Jorm; Kirsty A. Douglas; Alison Gee; Ginny M. Sargent; Sanja Lujic; Ian S. McRae
• Keywords: Health Economics; Health Services Research; Population Health

Surveys of GPs are essential to facilitate future planning and delivery health services. However, recruitment into research has been disappointing with response rates declining over recent years. This study identified factors that facilitated or hampered GP in a survey Australian where range strategies were used improve following poor initial responses. for different stages the examined compared reasons leaders university networks cited non-participation. Poor improved by including questionnaire mail-out, changing mail-out source from an unknown team locally known network leaders, approaching group have training interests, offering financial compensation. Response increased below 1% first wave 14.5% final wave. Using trusted professionals endorse combined explicit compensation payment significantly enhanced rates. To obtain surveys high enough sustain external validity requires approach persuades their gatekeepers it is worth time participate.