Johnson Samantha, Seaton Sarah E, Manktelow Bradley N, Smith Lucy K, Field David, Draper Elizabeth S, Marlow Neil, Boyle Elaine M
Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, 22-28 Princess Road West, Leicester LE1 6TP, UK.
BMC Res Notes. 2014 Apr 8;7:219. doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-219.
Maximising response rates to neurodevelopmental follow-up is a key challenge for paediatric researchers. We have investigated the use of telephone interviews and online questionnaires to improve response rates, reduce non-response bias, maintain data completeness and produce unbiased outcomes compared with postal questionnaires when assessing neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years.
A prospective cohort study of babies born ≥32 weeks gestation. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed at 2 years of age using a parent questionnaire completed via post, telephone or online. Relative Risks with 95% confidence intervals (RR; 95% CI) were calculated to identify participant characteristics associated with non-response and questionnaire response mode (postal vs. telephone/online). The proportion of missing data and prevalence of adverse outcomes was compared between response modes using generalized linear models.
Offering telephone/online questionnaires increased the study response rate from 55% to 60%. Telephone/online responders were more likely to be non-white (RR 1.6; [95% CI 1.1, 2.4]), non-English speaking (1.6; [1.0, 2.6]) or have a multiple birth (1.6; [1.1, 2.3]) than postal responders. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes between those who responded via post vs. telephone/online (1.1; [0.9, 1.4]). Where parents attempted all questionnaire sections, there were no significant differences in the proportion of missing data between response modes.
Where there is sufficient technology and resources, offering telephone interviews and online questionnaires can enhance response rates and improve sample representation to neurodevelopmental follow-up, whilst maintaining data completeness and unbiased outcomes.
提高神经发育随访的应答率是儿科研究人员面临的一项关键挑战。我们研究了使用电话访谈和在线问卷来提高应答率、减少无应答偏倚、保持数据完整性，并在评估2岁时的神经发育结局时，与邮寄问卷相比产生无偏倚结果的情况。
对孕周≥32周出生的婴儿进行前瞻性队列研究。在2岁时使用通过邮寄、电话或在线方式完成的家长问卷评估神经发育结局。计算95%置信区间的相对风险（RR；95%CI），以确定与无应答和问卷应答模式（邮寄与电话/在线）相关的参与者特征。使用广义线性模型比较应答模式之间缺失数据的比例和不良结局的患病率。
提供电话/在线问卷将研究应答率从55%提高到了60%。与邮寄问卷应答者相比，电话/在线问卷应答者更可能是非白人（RR 1.6；[95%CI 1.1, 2.4]）、非英语使用者（1.6；[1.0, 2.6]）或多胞胎（1.6；[1.1, 2.3]）。通过邮寄与电话/在线方式应答的人群中，不良神经发育结局的患病率没有显著差异（1.1；[0.9, 1.4]）。当家长尝试完成所有问卷部分时，应答模式之间缺失数据的比例没有显著差异。
在有足够技术和资源的情况下，提供电话访谈和在线问卷可以提高应答率，改善神经发育随访的样本代表性，同时保持数据完整性和无偏倚结果。
