• postal survey

Postal surveys are a cost effective method of obtaining information from large numbers of geographically disparate medical professionals about their attributes, behaviours, attitudes and beliefs. The validity of the findings of such surveys is primarily dependent upon an adequate response rate and it is of concern that the rates are declining.1 Inclusion of a pen along with the questionnaire is often used to counter this trend. In theory, the availability of a pen would enable immediate completion of the questionnaire. The gift of a pen may also predispose the recipient to look upon the questionnaire more favourably increasing the likelihood of a response. However, the effectiveness of this strategy has not been established. Therefore as part of a national survey of consultant gynaecologists, we conducted a randomised controlled trial, to determine if …