Mail versus internet surveys: determinants of method of response preferences among health professionals

Eval Health Prof. 2007 Jun;30(2):186-201. doi: 10.1177/0163278707300634.

Abstract

The authors evaluated determinants of response to Internet-based surveys in a sample (n = 5600) of Texas healthcare professionals. Participants were given the option of responding by mail or over the Web (response, 66%). Internet respondents were younger (p < .001), had worked fewer years in healthcare (p < .001), and were more likely to be male (p < .001) and to work in a hospital (p = .007). Missing questionnaire items were significantly higher among Web responders with regard to age, sex, race, body mass index, and smoking (p < .001). In the final multivariate logistic regression, only male gender (odds ratio [OR] = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.56-2.80) and younger age remained significantly associated with response over the Internet. Age quartile and responding electronically were inversely associated. Taken together with a priori knowledge of the demographic and professional profile of a study population, these findings can be useful in planning and implementation of surveys among healthcare workers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Asthma
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Data Collection
  • Female
  • Health Care Surveys / methods*
  • Humans
  • Internet / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postal Service / statistics & numerical data*
  • Selection Bias*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Texas