Association between Invitation Method and Response Rate: Results of a Multi-Centered National Survey of Canadian Picu Families

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIM: National surveys soliciting family experiences present challenges and opportunities. We performed a pan-Canadian, multi-centered, online survey of family experiences with restricted family presence in PICU during COVID-19. Sites chose from 6 respondent approach methods. This sub-study explores relationships between invitation methods and response rates. METHOD(S) Information was collected from the 11 participating sites via e-mail-based survey to determine eligible participant numbers;invitation method;time from PICU admission to survey invitation;contact methods for bereaved and non-bereaved families;participation barriers and facilitators. Responses were quantified using descriptive statistics and Spearman's rank order correlation. Free texts were inductively coded. RESULT(S) Sites invited families of PICU patients admitted during 4-month periods, beginning March 2020 (n=9) and/or November 2020 (n=3). Invitations were sent a mean (SD) of 7.7 (2.8) months post-admission. The overall survey response rate was 270/1005 invited families (27%). The mean institution response rate was 27% (SD=13%, range 4-50%) and was highest for sites using postal invite with telephone follow-up (43%, n=2), followed by telephone approach (26%, n=7), text message paired with social media posts and posters (22%, n=1), and postal invite alone (n=1, 8%). Bereaved families received a personalized telephone call. Time from admission to invitation was inversely correlated with response rate (rs = -0.70, p=0.02). Most common recruitment barriers were lack of funded research personnel (n=4) and REB requiring initial contact by care team rather than researchers (n=3). CONCLUSION(S) Multi-centre surveys with unfunded site participation face challenges. Postal invitation with telephone follow-up may improve response rates.