Work

The Effect of Response Scale, Administration Mode, and Format on Responses to the CAHPS Clinician and Group Survey

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To examine how different response scales, methods of survey administration, and survey format affect responses to the CAHPS (Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) Clinician and Group (CG-CAHPS) survey. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 6,500 patients from a university health center were randomly assigned to receive the following: standard 12-page mail surveys using 4-category or 6-category response scales (on CG-CAHPS composite items), telephone surveys using 4-category or 6-category response scales, or four-page mail surveys. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A total of 3,538 patients completed surveys. Composite score means and provider-level reliabilities did not differ between respondents receiving 4-category or 6-category response scale surveys or between 12-page and four-page mail surveys. Telephone respondents gave more positive responses than mail respondents. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend using 4-category response scales and the four-page mail CG-CAHPS survey.

Source: Health Services Research

DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.12160

Authors: Keith M. Drake, J. Lee Hargraves, Stephanie Lloyd, Patricia M. Gallagher, Paul D. Cleary

Institutions: University of Massachusetts Boston, Yale University

Language: English

Topic: Survey Methodology and Nonresponse

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: University of Massachusetts, University of Massachusetts Boston, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality