Getting patients to answer: what affects response rates?

Even scientifically validated and reliable surveys are an exercise in futility if response rates are low. The author's study raises the issue of whether the hospital experience itself, among other factors, influences the likelihood of patients' willingness to respond to surveys about their hospital experience. The research questions are framed as testable hypotheses with guidelines for future research. Examining these hypotheses contributes valuable insights for improving the response rates in patient satisfaction surveys.