Editors and Researchers Beware: Calculating Response Rates in Random Digit Dial Health Surveys

Health services researchers must consider strategies to standardize response rate reporting, enter into a dialog related to why response rate Reporting is important, and begin to utilize alternate methods for demonstrating that survey data are valid and reliable.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that different approaches to handling cases of unknown eligibility in random digit dial health surveys can contribute to significant differences in response rates. DATA SOURCE: Primary survey data of individuals with chronic disease. STUDY DESIGN: We computed response rates using various approaches, each of which make different assumptions about the disposition of cases of unknown eligibility. DATA COLLECTION: Data were collected via telephone interviews as part of the Aligning Forces for Quality (AF4Q) consumer survey, a representative survey of adults with chronic illnesses in 17 communities and nationally. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We found that various approaches to estimating eligibility rates can lead to substantially different response rates. CONCLUSIONS: Health services researchers must consider strategies to standardize response rate reporting, enter into a dialog related to why response rate reporting is important, and begin to utilize alternate methods for demonstrating that survey data are valid and reliable.