Manisha Rai1, Michelle H Moniz2,3, Julie Blaszczak4, Caroline R Richardson3,4, Tammy Chang3,4. 1. 1 Medical School, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan. 2. 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan. 3. 3 Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan. 4. 4 Department of Family Medicine, Medical School, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The use of text messaging is nearly ubiquitous and represents a promising method of collecting data from diverse populations. INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of text message surveys in a clinical setting and to describe key lessons to minimize attrition. METHODS: We obtained a convenience sample of individuals who entered the waiting room of a low-income, primary care clinic. Participants were asked to answer between 17 and 30 survey questions on a variety of health-related topics, including both open- and closed-ended questions. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the participants and determine the response rates. Bivariate analyses were used to identify predictors of incomplete surveys. RESULTS: Our convenience sample consisted of 461 individuals. Of those who attempted the survey, 80% (370/461) completed it in full. The mean age of respondents was 35.4 years (standard deviation = 12.4). Respondents were predominantly non-Hispanic black (42%) or non-Hispanic white (41%), female (75%), and with at least some college education (70%). Of those who completed the survey, 84% (312/370) reported willingness to do another text message survey. Those with incomplete surveys answered a median of nine questions before stopping. Smartphone users were less likely to leave the survey incomplete compared with non-smartphone users (p = 0.004). DISCUSSION: Text-message surveys are a feasible and acceptable method to collect real-time data among low-income, clinic-based populations. Offering participants a setting for immediate survey completion, minimizing survey length, simplifying questions, and allowing "free text" responses for all questions may optimize response rates.
BACKGROUND: The use of text messaging is nearly ubiquitous and represents a promising method of collecting data from diverse populations. INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of text message surveys in a clinical setting and to describe key lessons to minimize attrition. METHODS: We obtained a convenience sample of individuals who entered the waiting room of a low-income, primary care clinic. Participants were asked to answer between 17 and 30 survey questions on a variety of health-related topics, including both open- and closed-ended questions. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the participants and determine the response rates. Bivariate analyses were used to identify predictors of incomplete surveys. RESULTS: Our convenience sample consisted of 461 individuals. Of those who attempted the survey, 80% (370/461) completed it in full. The mean age of respondents was 35.4 years (standard deviation = 12.4). Respondents were predominantly non-Hispanic black (42%) or non-Hispanic white (41%), female (75%), and with at least some college education (70%). Of those who completed the survey, 84% (312/370) reported willingness to do another text message survey. Those with incomplete surveys answered a median of nine questions before stopping. Smartphone users were less likely to leave the survey incomplete compared with non-smartphone users (p = 0.004). DISCUSSION: Text-message surveys are a feasible and acceptable method to collect real-time data among low-income, clinic-based populations. Offering participants a setting for immediate survey completion, minimizing survey length, simplifying questions, and allowing "free text" responses for all questions may optimize response rates.
Entities:
Keywords:
SMS; cell phone; data collection; mobile; real-time; survey; text message; waiting room
Authors: Stacy Cooper Bailey; James W Griffith; Chandana Vuyyuru; Stephanie Batio; Evelyn Velazquez; Delesha M Carpenter; Terry C Davis; Ruth M Parker; Michelle Taddeo; Michael S Wolf Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2022-07-25 Impact factor: 6.473