***TASK*** the task is to summarize an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***INPUT*** the input is a biomedical literature 
    ***OUTPUT*** the output is the summary of an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***DOCUMENTATION*** 
    ***EXAMPLES*** 
    Input: OBJECTIVE Primary care physicians are increasingly being asked to participate in postal surveys . Difficulties in achieving adequate response rates among physicians have been reported . We investigated the effect of two low-cost interventions on response to a  primary care physician postal question naire . STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING A 2x2 factorial trial was developed within the context of a national survey assessing views and practice s of physicians regarding prostate-specific antigen testing . We evaluated question naire order ( version 1 : demographics first , version 2 : topic-specific questions first ) and written precontact . A national data base of primary care physicians was compiled . One thous and five hundred ninety-nine physicians were r and omly selected , stratified by health board , and r and omized . RESULTS 47.9 % of eligible physicians completed a question naire . There was a statistically significant 5.1 % higher response rate among physicians receiving version 1 of the question naire than those receiving version 2 ( 50.6 % vs. 45.4 % , P=0.05 ) ; the adjusted odds of response were significantly raised ( odds ratio=1.24 ; 95 % confidence interval=1.01 - 1.54 ) . Precontact result ed in a nonsignificant 3.6 % increase in response ( 49.8 % vs. 46.2 % ; P=0.16 ) . The interventions did not interact . CONCLUSION Ordering question naires with general questions first can significantly increase response rates , whereas precontact can achieve a modest increase . These strategies may enhance response while adding little to the cost of a physician survey PURPOSE This study compared the response time , response rate , and cost of two types of survey administration techniques : e-mail/web-based versus conventional postal mail . The main aim of the survey was to collect descriptive information on the existence of Acute Care for Elders units and their characteristics by surveying geriatric division chiefs . DESIGN AND METHODS Two r and omized cohorts of geriatric division chiefs were formed to receive a survey either by electronic mail ( n = 57 ) or by  conventional postal mail ( n = 57 ) . If there was no response to the initial mailing , two follow-up mailings were sent to both groups using the original modality ; a third follow-up was performed using the alternative modality . For each group , response rate and response time were calculated . The average total cost was computed and compared across two groups . RESULTS The aggregate response rate was 58 % ( n = 31 ) for the e-mail group versus 77 % ( n = 44 ) for the postal mail group . The overall average response time was shorter in the e-mail group , 18 days compared with 33 days for the conventional postal mailing group . The cost comparison showed that average cost was $ 7.70 for the e-mail group , compared to $ 10.50 per response for the conventional mail group . IMPLICATION S It appears that although the web-based technology is gaining popularity and leads to lower cost per response , the conventional postal method of surveying continues to deliver a better response rate among the geriatric medicine division chiefs . The web-based approach holds promise given its lower costs and acceptable response rate combined with the shorter response time Background Low response rates among surgeons can threaten the validity of surveys . Internet technologies may reduce the time , effort , and financial re sources needed to conduct surveys . Objective We investigated whether using Web-based technology could increase the response rates to an international survey . Methods We solicited opinions from the 442 surgeon – members of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association regarding the treatment of femoral neck fractures . We developed a self-administered question naire after conducting a literature review , focus groups , and key informant interviews , for which we used sampling to redundancy techniques . We administered an Internet version of the question naire on a Web site , as well as a paper version , which looked similar to the Internet version and which had identical content . Only those in our sample could access the Web site . We alternately assigned the participants to receive the survey by mail ( n=221 ) or an email invitation to participate on the Internet ( n=221 ) . Non-respondents in the mail arm received up to three additional copies of the survey , while non-respondents in the Internet arm received up to three additional requests , including a final mailed copy . All participants in the Internet arm had an opportunity to request an emailed Portable Document Format ( PDF ) version . Results The Internet arm demonstrated a lower response rate ( 99/221 , 45 % ) than the mail question naire arm ( 129/221 , 58 % ) ( absolute difference 13 % , 95 % confidence interval 4%-22 % , P<0.01 ) . Conclusions Our Internet-based survey to surgeons result ed in a significantly lower response rate than a traditional mailed survey . Research ers should not assume that the widespread availability and potential ease of Internet-based surveys will translate into higher response rates BACKGROUND Historically , achieving a high response rate on physician surveys has been a challenging task . Given such concerns , underst and ing research strategies that facilitate adequate response rates is important . Primary care physician responses to a mail survey on smoking cessation are summarized by physician specialty and timing of incentive . METHODS A stratified r and om- sample design , stratified by patient population s-adults , adolescents , and pregnant women-was used . The sampling frame included New Jersey internists , general practitioners , family physicians , pediatricians , and obstetrician-gynecologists . A total of 2100 physicians , 700 physicians from each patient strata , were sample d and mailed a smoking-cessation survey in summer 2002 . The sample was r and omized by incentive timing : Half received the incentive ( i.e. , 25 dollars gift card ) with the first survey mailing , and half received the incentive on receipt of their completed survey . RESULTS The promised-incentive group achieved a significantly lower response rate ( 56 % ) compared with the up-front-incentive group ( 71.5 % ) . Response rates by medical specialty varied overall and within incentive groups . The difference between the incentive groups was greatest among obstetrician-gynecologists ( i.e. , 20.2 percentage points ) and was least among pediatricians ( i.e. , 5.8 percentage points ) . CONCLUSIONS Physician response rates to mail surveys are greatly improved , especially among certain medical specialties , by using up-front incentives Background The use of Internet-based question naires for collection of data to evaluate patient education and other interventions has increased in recent years . Many self-report instruments have been vali date d using paper- and -pencil versions , but we can not assume that the psychometric properties of an Internet-based version will be identical . Objectives To look at similarities and differences between the Internet versions and the paper- and -pencil versions of 16 existing self-report instruments useful in evaluation of patient interventions . Methods Participants were recruited via the Internet and volunteered to participate ( N=397 ) , after which they were r and omly assigned to fill out question naires online or via mailed paper- and -pencil versions . The self-report instruments measured were overall health , health distress , practice mental stress management , Health Assessment Question naire ( HAQ ) disability , illness intrusiveness , activity limitations , visual numeric for pain , visual numeric for shortness of breath , visual numeric for fatigue , self-efficacy for managing disease , aerobic exercise , stretching and strengthening exercise , visits to MD , hospitalizations , hospital days , and emergency room visits . Means , ranges , and confidence intervals are given for each instrument within each type of question naire . The results from the two question naires were compared using both parametric and non-parametric tests . Reliability tests were given for multi-item instruments . A separate sample ( N=30 ) filled out identical question naires over the Internet within a few days and correlations were used to assess test-retest reliability . Results Out of 16 instruments , none showed significant differences when the appropriate tests were used . Construct reliability was similar within each type of question naire , and Internet test-retest reliability was high . Internet question naires required less follow-up to achieve a slightly ( non-significant ) higher completion rate compared to mailed question naires . Conclusions Among a convenience sample recruited via the Internet , results from those r and omly assigned to Internet participation were at least as good as , if not better than , among those assigned mailed question naires , with less recruitment effort required . The instruments administered via the Internet appear to be reliable , and to be answered similarly to the way they are answered when they are administered via traditional mailed paper question naires Background Postal surveys are a frequently used method of data collection in health services research . Low response rates increase the potential for bias and threaten study validity . The objectives of this study were to estimate current response rates , to assess whether response rates are falling , to explore factors that might enhance response rates and to examine the potential for non-response bias in surveys mailed to healthcare professionals . Methods A r and om sample of postal or electronic surveys of healthcare workers ( 1996 - 2005 ) was identified from Medline , Embase or Psycinfo data bases or Biomed Central . Outcome measures were survey response rate and non response analysis . Multilevel , multivariable logistic regression examined the relationship between response rate and publication type , healthcare profession , country and number of survey participants , question naire length and use of reminders . Results The analysis included 350 studies .  Average response rate in doctors was 57.5 % ( 95%CI : 55.2 % to 59.8 % ) and significantly lower than the estimate for the prior 10 year period . Response rates were higher when reminders were sent ( adjusted OR 1.3 ; 95%CI 1.1 - 1.6 ) but only half the studies did this . Response rates were also higher in studies with fewer than 1000 participants and in countries other than US , Canada , Australia and New Zeal and . They were not significantly affected by publication type or healthcare profession ( p > 0.05 ) . Only 17 % of studies attempted assessment of possible non-response bias . Conclusion Response rates to postal surveys of healthcare professionals are low and probably declining , almost certainly leading to unknown levels of bias . To improve the informativeness of postal survey findings , research ers should routinely consider the use of reminders and assess potential for non-response bias OBJECTIVES To compare 3 communication modes ( postal , fax , and e-mail ) in a rotavirus vaccine physician survey . METHODS We used 3 communication modes to distribute a survey to physicians listed in the membership directory of the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics . The directory listed 1391 members ; however , 404 were deemed ineligible on the basis of their listing as a specialist , retiree , resident in training , or government public health employee . Of the 987 members expected to administer vaccines , 150 were selected r and omly to receive the postal survey ( postal group ) . Of the remaining listings , 488 ( 58 % ) of 837 listed a fax number ; 150 members were selected r and omly and faxed a survey ( fax group ) . Of the remaining members , 266 ( 39 % ) of 687 had e-mail addresses listed ; 150 members were selected r and omly for the e-mail survey ( e-mail group ) . A follow-up survey was sent by the same mode at 2 weeks . A final survey was sent via another mode ( mixed mode ) at 1 month : by fax to e-mail and postal nonresponders and by post to fax nonresponders and those without fax . RESULTS Eligible respondents in the 3 survey groups were similar in their practice setting and location . Although the e-mail group had fewer median years ( 8 years ) since medical school graduation than the fax group ( 19 years ) and postal group ( 17 years ) , a similar percentage of responders in all groups had computers ( > 85 % ) and Internet access ( > or = 70 % ) at work . However , only 39 % of members listed an e-mail address in the directory . In the 2 weeks after the first mailing , 39 surveys were completed via postal mail , 50 via fax , and 16 via e-mail . In the 2 weeks after the second contact ( sent at 2 weeks ) , 20 surveys were completed via postal mail , 15 via fax , and 17 via e-mail . The response rate after the first 2 mailings was 41 % ( 59 of 143 ) for postal , 47 % ( 65 of 137 ) for fax , and 26 % ( 33 of 125 ) for e-mail surveys . The third and final survey ( sent 1 month after the first mailing ) was sent by a different ( ie , mixed ) mode and elicited an additional 73 responses : 19 responses ( 15 postal , 4 fax ) from the postal group , 19 responses ( 18 postal , 1 fax ) from the fax group , and 35 responses ( 15 postal , 13 fax , 7 e-mail ) from the e-mail group . Twenty-three percent ( 9 of 40 ) of the e-mail and 18 % ( 15 of 83 ) of the fax surveys completed were returned on the same or subsequent day they were sent , compared with none of the postal surveys . There were significant differences among the 3 groups for invalid addresses/numbers ( 4 % postal , 8 % fax , and 16 % e-mail ) listed in the directory . Using mixed modes as the third contact , the overall response rate increased from 39 % before mixed mode to a final of 53 % . On the basis of the 3 initial groups , responses to 1 of 12 rotavirus questions differed significantly . CONCLUSIONS Future use of e-mail surveys in selected circumstances is promising , because the majority of providers have Internet access and acknowledged interest in participating in e-mail surveys . E-mail surveys could be especially useful if rapid response time is necessary . There were fewer incomplete questions by participants who completed the e-mail survey compared with postal or fax participants . Updating membership e-mail addresses and routinely using e-mail as a communication tool should improve the ability to use e-mail surveys . There may need to be ongoing evaluations that critically 
    Output:
    
The systematic review suggested that monetary incentives and paper ( vs web or email ) surveys increase response rates .
We conclude that in addition to monetary incentives and paper surveys , physician-to-physician follow-up telephone calls are an effective method to increase response rates in oncology-focused physician surveys