156807 Project SHARRP: Survey methods and recruitment of a population of home healthcare providers

Tuesday, November 6, 2007: 5:05 PM

Pia K. Markkanen, ScD , Department of Work Environment, School of Health and Environment, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA
Stephanie Chalupka, EdD, PHNCNS-BC , Department of Nursing, Worcester State College, Worcester, MA
Catherine Galligan, MSc , Department of Work Environment, School of Health and Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA
Susan Sama, ScD, RN , Department of Work Environment, School of Health and Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA
Rebecca Gore, PhD , Department of Work Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA
Hyun Kim, MS , Work Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA
Anila Bello, MS , Department of Work Environment, School of Health and Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA
David Kriebel, ScD , Work Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA
Margaret M. Quinn, ScD, CIH , Department of Work Environment, School of Health and Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA
        
Project SHARRP (Safe Homecare and Risk Reduction for Providers) of UMASS Lowell conducted a cross-sectional survey among Massachusetts home healthcare (HHC) providers to identify the magnitude of and risk factors for blood contacts and sharps injuries. HHC providers are challenging to study because they work over wide geographic areas and their work environments are highly variable. This paper describes the SHARRP survey design, administration, and strategies used to recruit the study population. The 18-page survey questionnaire was piloted in two stages to ensure comprehension and that completion time did not exceed 30 minutes. The survey population was recruited via HHC agencies and unions. Standard mail survey techniques were enhanced in several ways. Agencies and unions agreed to co-sponsor the survey and distributed pre-survey information cards to their employees or members. Approximately 1,000 surveys were collected. Agency participants were offered three methods to return their questionnaires: (i) at their agency office during a survey promotional event held by SHARRP researchers, (ii) by mail in a pre-paid return envelope, (iii) via locked box located at HHC agency offices. Survey return in conjunction with onsite promotional events yielded the highest response rates: 67-91%. The mailing only strategy, i.e. without worksite collection - the only viable option for union participants - generated response rates of 50-55%. It is concluded that survey design and administration are more successful when customized for particular working populations. Agency and union co-sponsorship and worksite data collection were key features related to high response rates.

Learning Objectives:
1. List all twelve sections of the cross-sectional survey questionnaire to identify the magnitude of and risk factors for blood contacts and sharps injuries among home healthcare clinicians. 2. Identify at least five different methods to enhance standard survey techniques for improved survey participation response rates. 3. Develop survey design and administration strategy to recruit study populations that work over wide geographic areas and highly variable work environments.

Keywords: Survey, Health Care Workers

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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