Getting physicians to respond: the impact of incentive type and timing on physician survey response rates

Objective: To study the effects of payment timing, form of payment, and requiring a social security number (SSN) on survey response rates.

Data source: Third-wave mailing of a U.S. physician survey.

Study design: Nonrespondents were randomized to receive immediate U.S.$25 cash, immediate U.S.$25 check, promised U.S.$25 check, or promised U.S.$25 check requiring an SSN.

Data collection methods: Paper survey responses were double entered into statistical software.

Principal findings: Response rates differed significantly between remuneration groups (χ(3) (2) = 80.1, p<.0001), with the highest rate in the immediate cash group (34 percent), then immediate check (20 percent), promised check (10 percent), and promised check with SSN (8 percent).

Conclusions: Immediate monetary incentives yield higher response rates than promised in this population of nonresponding physicians. Promised incentives yield similarly low response rates regardless of whether an SSN is requested.