Evaluation of questionnaire modes and distribution methods in a large medical center - results of a pilot test

Details

• Personal Author:
  Boiano, James M. ; Catalano J ; Heyer N ; Payne B ; Piacitelli, Gregory M. ; Sieber, W. Karl
• Description:
  The National Exposures at Work Survey (NEWS) is intended to collect descriptive data from employees regarding health and safety practices and perceptions, potential exposures, and interventions in workplaces across the United States. The feasibility of collecting this type of information using a self-administered employee questionnaire in the health services sector was evaluated by pilot-testing paper and web-based modes and selected distribution protocols in a large medical center. The employee questionnaire consisted of a core module (for completion by all employees) addressing broadbased health care issues (e.g., overtime, violence, stress) and 10 targeted hazard modules addressing selected chemical agents (e.g., antineoplastics, sterilants, anesthetics). Approximately 1,000 employees were divided into two distribution groups: (1) employees (n = 501) who received a personalized letter with a paper core module, and (2) employees (n = 499) who received a personalized letter only. The letters provided a toll-free number for assistance on how to request additional paper modules if needed (Group I), and how to request a customized paper questionnaire (Group 2), based groups were also provided instructions on how to access the Web-based survey. Overall, 35% of sampled employees completed the survey, including 42% (n = 210) in Group 1 and 29% (n = 146) in Group 2, with the Web survey being slightly preferred (51 %). Seventy-nine percent of Group 1 respondents preferred the paper mode, whereas 95% of Group 2 respondents preferred the Web. Accurate completion of the paper questionnaire was a problem for 82% (n = 44) of the respondents who failed to request additional modules even though their responses to screening questions indicated that they needed to complete (and therefore request) one or more hazard modules. This problem was not observed in the Web survey; it was seamless with respect to the modules. Methods of improving the paper survey and overall response rates will be presented. on responses to screening questions. Both groups were also provided instructions on how to access the Web-based survey. Overall, 35% of sampled employees completed the survey, including 42% (n = 210) in Group 1 and 29% (n = 146) in Group 2, with the Web survey being slightly preferred (51 %). Seventy-nine percent of Group 1 respondents preferred the paper mode, whereas 95% of Group 2 respondents preferred the Web. Accurate completion of the paper questionnaire was a problem for 82% (n = 44) of the respondents who failed to request additional modules even though their responses to screening questions indicated that they needed to complete (and therefore request) one or more hazard modules. This problem was not observed in the Web survey; it was seamless with respect to the modules. Methods of improving the paper survey and overall response rates will be presented. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Health Promotion Occupational Health Preventive Medicine Safety Surveys And Questionnaires
• Keywords:
  Exposure-levels Health-programs Models Preventive-medicine Questionnaires Safety-practices Workers
• Publisher:
  American Industrial Hygiene Association
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 10 ; OSHA Region 5 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DSHEFS - Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  59
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20045101
• Citation:
  American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, May 13-16, 2006, Chicago, Illinois. Fairfax, VA: American Industrial Hygiene Association, 2006 May; :59
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2006
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, May 13-16, 2006, Chicago, Illinois
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:cef5de210bfee11ea6d32164468fc5ea208c80b2321b41c0788cc5060b1cb8f5365c6a024cba4f93618a23dbdbf156d829e13f5ed069f2f89ad97675c38560dd
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/200629/cdc_200629_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.67 MB ]