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Table 2 Recruitment methods used in seven national health examination surveys in Europe

From: Sample selection, recruitment and participation rates in health examination surveys in Europe – experience from seven national surveys

Survey

Form of invitation

Recruitment process

Incentives

Questionnaire administration

Examination place

Examination time (days of the week)

Examination time (time of the day)

England – HSE

Advance letter, notifying them an interviewer will call at their home, plus two information leaflets.

Interviewer visits a household to schedule an interview (min 6 attempts).

Unconditional £5 voucher per household, feedback on physical measurements and blood analysis results.

By interview during the separate visit before examination (nurse visit).

Participant’s home

Monday-Sunday

08:00–22:00

Finland – FINRISK Study

Pre-notification SMS message followed by invitation letter which includes proposed examination time with possibility to change the time.

A reminder SMS message day before given appointment time. If person did not show to the appointment, 1–2 phone calls. If no contact by phone, a reminder letter with questionnaire.

Feedback on physical measurements and blood analysis results.

Self-administered questionnaire sent with invitation letter. Questionnaire checked at the beginning of the examination visit.

Examination centre

Monday-Friday

11:00–18:00

Germany – DEGS

Invitation letter with a comprehensive information sheet, a reply card and questionnaire.

If no reply card received back, a reminder letter, after that phone calls and last home visits.

30 € cash per participant, feedback on physical measurements and blood analysis results.

Self-administered questionnaire sent with invitation letter. Questionnaire checked at the beginning of the examination visit.

Examination centre

Tuesday-Wednesday

12:30–22:00

Thursday-Friday

7:30–17:00

Saturday

7:30–15:00

Second self-administrated questionnaire and interviews at the examination site.

Ireland – SLAN

Face-to-face invitation from interviewer who located the address.

Home visit as part of health interview survey.

Full report from medical staff on physical measurements and blood/urine analysis results.

By interview at the home of the participant before examination and for those participating in full HES part, additional questionnaire asked by a nurse at the examination centre/home visit.

Examination centre or home

Monday-Sunday

All day

Italy – OEC/HES

Invitation letter which included proposed appointment and contact details for more information or to change the appointment time.

If person neither attended the given appointment time nor changed that, phone calls. If no contact by phone, a reminder letter with new appointment time. The last attempt was a personal phone call.

Feedback on physical measurements (including bone densitometry, spirometry and ECG) and blood analysis results, and lifestyle advice. No financial incentive.

By interview at the examination centre

Examination centre

Monday-Friday

08:00–17:00

Later on request

Sometimes on Saturday and Sunday

Netherlands – NLdeMaat

Phase I: Invitation with a return card to make an appointment.

Phase I: If no reply card within 2 weeks, a reminder letter. If no reply to reminder in 2 weeks, a phone call (max 6 attempts).

Phase I: 10€ voucher per participant, feedback on physical measurements and blood analysis results.

Self-administered. Questionnaire checked at the beginning of the examination visit.

Examination centre

Phase I: Monday-Friday, Saturday

Phase I: Mon-Fri: 07:00–11:00

Sat: 09:00–14:00

Phase II: Invitation with an appointment card.

Phase II: If no reply card returned in 2 weeks, a home visit to recruit (max 6 attempts).

Phase II: 50€ voucher per participant, feedback on physical measurements and blood sample analysis results.

As for phase I

As for phase I

Phase II: Monday-Friday, Saturday

Phase II: Mon-Fri: 07:00–11:00, 15:00–20:00

Sat: 09:00–14:00

Scotland – Scottish Health Survey

Advance letter, notifying them an interviewer will call at their home, plus information leaflet.

Interviewer visits a household to schedule an interview (min 6 attempts).

Unconditional £5 voucher per household, feedback on physical measurements and blood analysis results.

By interview during the separate visit before examination (nurse visit).

Participant’s home

Monday-Sunday

08:00–22:00

  1. BP Blood pressure