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

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.