Personal Contact as a Technique for Increasing Questionnaire Returns from Hospitalized Patients After Discharge

A major disadvantage of using mail questionnaires to obtain research data is the possibility of a very low rate of return. In a study of hospitalized patients, personal face-to-face contact with respondents by a sponsor of a study before questionnaires were mailed was found to be an effective method for increasing returns. This technique appears suited for research in the health fields where patients may be contacted while they are under medical care, and then later mailed a questionnaire concerning information about their activities and behavior when they are no longer under treatment.