Frances J Drummond1, Eamonn O'Leary2, Ciaran O'Neill3, Richeal Burns3, Linda Sharp2. 1. National Cancer Registry, Building 6800, Airport business Park, Kinsale Road, Cork, Ireland. Electronic address: f.drummond@ncri.ie. 2. National Cancer Registry, Building 6800, Airport business Park, Kinsale Road, Cork, Ireland. 3. J. E Cairnes School of Business & Economics, NUI Galway, Newcastle Road, Galway, Ireland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of two monetary incentives on response rates to postal questionnaires from primary care physicians (PCPs). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The PCPs were randomized into three arms (n=550 per arm), namely (1) €5 sent with the questionnaire (cash); (2) entry into a draw on return of completed questionnaire (prize); or (3) no incentive. Effects of incentives on response rates and item nonresponse were examined, as was cost-effectiveness. RESULTS:Response rates were significantly higher in the cash (66.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 61.9, 70.4%) and prize arms (44.8%; 95% CI: 40.1, 49.3%) compared with the no-incentive arm (39.9%; 95% CI: 35.4, 44.3%). Adjusted relative risk of response was 1.17 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.35) and 1.68 (95% CI: 1.48, 1.91) in the prize and cash arms, respectively, compared with the no-incentive group. Costs per completed questionnaire were €9.85, €11.15, and €6.31 for the cash, prize, and no-incentive arms, respectively. Compared with the no-incentive arm, costs per additional questionnaire returned in the cash and prize arms were €14.72 and €37.20, respectively. CONCLUSION: Both a modest cash incentive and entry into a prize draw were effective in increasing response rates. The cash incentive was most effective and the most cost-effective. Where it is important to maximize response, a modest cash incentive may be cost-effective.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of two monetary incentives on response rates to postal questionnaires from primary care physicians (PCPs). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The PCPs were randomized into three arms (n=550 per arm), namely (1) €5 sent with the questionnaire (cash); (2) entry into a draw on return of completed questionnaire (prize); or (3) no incentive. Effects of incentives on response rates and item nonresponse were examined, as was cost-effectiveness. RESULTS: Response rates were significantly higher in the cash (66.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 61.9, 70.4%) and prize arms (44.8%; 95% CI: 40.1, 49.3%) compared with the no-incentive arm (39.9%; 95% CI: 35.4, 44.3%). Adjusted relative risk of response was 1.17 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.35) and 1.68 (95% CI: 1.48, 1.91) in the prize and cash arms, respectively, compared with the no-incentive group. Costs per completed questionnaire were €9.85, €11.15, and €6.31 for the cash, prize, and no-incentive arms, respectively. Compared with the no-incentive arm, costs per additional questionnaire returned in the cash and prize arms were €14.72 and €37.20, respectively. CONCLUSION: Both a modest cash incentive and entry into a prize draw were effective in increasing response rates. The cash incentive was most effective and the most cost-effective. Where it is important to maximize response, a modest cash incentive may be cost-effective.
Authors: Alison M Pearce; Fay Ryan; Frances J Drummond; Audrey Alforque Thomas; Aileen Timmons; Linda Sharp Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2015-08-06 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: F J Drummond; H Kinnear; C Donnelly; E O'Leary; K O'Brien; R M Burns; A Gavin; L Sharp Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2015-04-17 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Tom Pierse; Luke Barry; Liam Glynn; Andrew W Murphy; Sharon Cruise; Ciaran O'Neill Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2020-09-24 Impact factor: 3.295