Survey Research Program. Part of Group Health Research Institute

(1)

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Seattle Children’s Research Institute

Northwest Institute of Genetic Medicine

National Genome Research Institute

Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation,

Army of Women Program

Kaiser Permanente:

Georgia

Northern California

Southern California

Northwest

Colorado

“The Survey Research Program is one of Group Health Research Institute’s greatest

assets—which is why so many research organizations nationwide work with them

to optimize data collection.”

Eric B. Larson, MD, MPH

Executive Director, Group Health Research Institute

Vice President for Research, Group Health

Our clients and collaborators include:

contact

Survey Research Program

Group Health Research Institute 1730 Minor Avenue Suite 1600 Seattle, WA 98101 Phone: 206-287-2900 Fax: 206-287-2871

Survey Research Program

Part of Group Health Research Institute

Harvard School of Medicine

Indiana University School of Nursing

Public Health-Seattle King County

The Ohio State University

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

University of Washington, Department of

Oral Medicine

University of Washington, Health Services

Research and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Henry Ford Hospital

(2)

“The Survey Research Program’s experience

and expertise allowed us to field a complex,

multi-site investigation efficiently and

accurately. They helped us avoid pitfalls

we would not have foreseen otherwise, and

offered valuable insights on questionnaire

design and data collection techniques.

They stayed in close contact throughout

our study, reached our response goals on

schedule, and delivered a final product that

exceeded our expectations.”

John F. Steiner, MD, MPH

Senior Director, Institute for Health Research

Kaiser Permanente Colorado

“Multi-site studies pose unique challenges

for data collection. The HMO Cancer

Research Network specializes in studies

that take place across three or more

sites—and the Survey Research Program

has consistently met our needs effectively,

efficiently, and with an eye toward data

quality that’s difficult to beat.”

Ed Wagner, MD, MPH

Director Emeritus, MacColl Center for Health Care

Innovation, Group Health Research Institute

“The Survey Research Program is the

complete package. They provide valuable

input at the study design and planning

phase, conduct the survey efficiently, and

manage data entry. I was very impressed

with their professionalism and expertise at

every phase.”

Doug Opel, MD, MPH

Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics

Why work with us?

Our approach to designing and implementing data collection is:

Rigorous. Working with us, you can count on superior data quality. Our team uses evidence-based standards and effective quality-assurance procedures from project planning to data collection to final delivery.

Customized. You’ll find value and efficiency in services tailored to fit your study—and in an approach that is uniquely patient centered. Because we work exclusively with patient populations, our team is skilled at building rapport that helps respondents feel comfortable answering sensitive questions about health and illness.

Cost effective. We offer comprehensive, high-quality services at competitive prices—so you can be sure you’re

spending precious grant dollars wisely and getting the most for your money.

Leading-edge health care

research is your mission.

It’s ours, too.

When you study health and illness, you need data savvy and field expertise that’s well beyond typical market research. We understand that scientifically sound data collection is among your top priorities— and we’ll deliver it with an experienced, personal touch.

Because health care research is all we do, we know how to do it right. Since 1988, we’ve worked with real patients every day to collect data for Group Health Research Institute and other collaborators nationwide—reaching out to diverse populations and asking the right

questions the right way to solicit honest, unbiased responses.

(3)

Descriptions of Services

Telephone recruitment and

survey research

We perform telephone data collection

using computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI). CATI software optimizes data quality and efficiency through built-in quality assurance

features. Complex skip patterns can be

programmed, reducing the possibility of human error. Interviewing occurs seven days a week, and our automated call-scheduling software ensures that respondents are contacted at different times of the day and evening on varying days of the week.

Web surveys

We use dynamic software to create Web surveys that allow participants to

complete surveys in multiple ways— including with a mobile device. The program delivers email reminders to non-responders, sends thank you messages to completers, and has many other features that improve the survey

experience for research participants. The Web surveys we produce are

professional in appearance and easy for respondents to navigate and

understand. We can even include video

links and photos to help respondents identify things like medications and self-care procedures.

Mail surveys and self-administered questionnaires

We have extensive experience designing

questionnaires, consulting on mail survey research, and completing large

mail survey projects. Our goal is to design instruments that maximize

comprehension and response, minimize missing data—and to create a form that

Interviewers are trained in standardized survey interviewing techniques and project-specific procedures which can include item-by-item specifications for each questionnaire. Interviewers’ phone performance, delivery, and productivity are routinely monitored and corrective or remedial training is provided as necessary. Interview quality is continuously assessed using silent monitors and interviewer feedback occurs on a regular basis.

services

contact

Kevin Ulrich, MA Manager, Survey Research Program Phone: 206-287-2010 Fax: 206-287-2871 E-mail: ulrich.k@ghc.org Group Health Research Institute

1730 Minor Avenue, Suite 1600 Seattle, WA 98101

(4)

is easy to edit and data enter. We use

the latest methodological advances and techniques in the field whenever feasible.

Biospecimen collection

We lead data collection efforts for

various types of genetic studies that ask participants to provide

biospecimens. We have extensive experience gaining informed consent

for genetic testing by phone and in coordinating lab visits for participants

to give blood samples. We also send

blood draw kits, saliva kits, and consent forms by mail—tracking receipt of the samples and consents and making reminder calls to

participants who do not return them within the target timeframe.

Web-based interventions

For studies that involve interventions

on the Web, our software can provide

printable, tailored reports—to both respondents and study staff. For

example, respondents who complete a Web-based intervention survey

can receive a customized report immediately after. At the same time, the study team can receive another report on select responses or summary

scores. Our software also makes timed

email messages and surveys easy to coordinate.

Descriptions of Services

(continued)

Mail production

We routinely produce study mailings of all shapes and sizes. Our in-house mail

production service can accommodate postcards, advance letters, reminder letters, promotional materials, and study supplies such as biospecimen

collection containers. We have extensive experience conducting personalized

mailings while maintaining participant confidentiality, and all our staff

receive training on privacy protections, including HIPAA.

Data entry and editing

Our services include consulting on the

design of forms to be data entered, editing forms, developing codebooks, and performing rigorous

quality-assurance procedures. We use multiple

software programs for entry and verification of data from paper forms, such as mailed or self-administered questionnaires and clinic intake forms.

We also use Teleform software to

design mail surveys or intake forms that can be scanned rather than data entered, thus reducing the possibility of measurement error.

(5)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Survey Research Program?

The Survey Research Program is a team of survey professionals who work at Group Health Research Institute—the public-interest research center within Group Health Cooperative, a Seattle-based health care system. In addition to supporting the Institute’s rigorous research portfolio, our customized data collection services are also available to outside clients who conduct health care research.

What services do you provide?

• Overall survey consultation and design services • Questionnaire pretesting

• Phone, mail, Web, or mixed-mode survey data collection

• Telephone screening and recruitment for interventions and studies • Mail production work

• Data entry for self-administered surveys or other paper questionnaires • Biospecimen collection and informed consent for genetic studies

Who are your clients?

We work with public and private health care researchers nationwide whose work

aligns with our mission: to improve health and health care for everyone through

leading-edge research, innovation, and dissemination. Our clients include both

academic and industry-based researchers.

contact

grouphealthresearch.org

FAQ

(6)

Frequently Asked Questions

(continued)

What do your services cost?

Your costs will depend on the

complexities and requirements of

your study. After we understand the specific needs of your project, we can usually provide an estimate within 5-10 business days.

Where are you located?

Our staff and call center are in Seattle, Washington.

How long has the Survey Research Program been in business?

We have led data collection efforts

for researchers at Group Health since

1988. Since then, our experience

working with outside collaborators and clients has grown steadily.

What are your hours of operation?

Our interview team operates seven

days a week, including evenings to

maximize opportunities for contact

with a variety of potential study

participants. Our automated

call-scheduling software ensures that respondents are contacted at different times of the day and evening on varying days of the week.

Do you do surveys in other languages?

We have experience conducting phone

surveys in English and Spanish.

What if my study includes

participants of a certain age group?

We are adept at tailoring survey

questions to the age-specific needs of

the audience. Our experience includes

surveys with participants as young as 11 and as old as 102.

What if my study sample is very large—or very small?

We have the capacity to collect data

efficiently across a wide range of studies—whether large or small—and will gladly scale our approach to meet your needs.

Do I have to include participants from Group Health in my study?

No. We work on a variety of studies

that recruit from other health systems and in other regions. If you’re

interested in including participants from Group Health in your sample, consider collaborating with a Group Health researcher. Learn more at

(7)

Project Highlights

As data-collection experts for health care research, the Survey Research Program will bring a uniquely well-informed perspective to your next study. Our experience is both broad and deep—and the many examples below show the diversity of our

capabilities, populations, methods, and topics of study.

results

The Health and Relationships Study team faced a unique challenge. Not only were

they studying sensitive topics—dating violence, sexual behaviors, and alcohol

use—they needed to engage hundreds of 18 to 21 year olds in a 40-minute

survey. The Survey Research Program helped the team develop a mixed-mode approach (phone and Web surveys) paired with participant incentives to maximize

response—completing the project on time and under budget.

Conducting surveys with respondents as young as 11 years old requires interpersonal skill and a delicate touch—especially when the topic of study is sensitive. That’s why the Adolescent Screening Study came to us to field their multi-mode recruitment

effort for a study on adolescent depression and other emotional health issues. Our

staff obtained consent from children and parents, successfully recruiting the study

team’s target of 444 families in less than five months. During follow up, we also

conducted phone surveys with some parents about family mental health history and coordinated consent and saliva kit mailings for the adolescents.

contact

grouphealthresearch.org

Health and Relationships Study

Bio-specimens Challenging populations Mixed modes Sensitive topics Language barriers Multi-site studies 3 3 3

Adolescent Screening Study

Bio-specimens Challenging populations Mixed modes Sensitive topics Language barriers Multi-site studies 3 3 3 3

(8)

Project Highlights

(continued)

Today, many research studies need to include data collection tailored to individual respondent characteristics—as in the Patient Portal Study, which

examined medication adherence issues among HIV-positive adults. Because HIV

medications differ dramatically among respondents, the survey needed to be

customized around complex skip patterns. We used powerful and flexible Web

survey software to design a data collection instrument that included photos of medications and related questions tailored to the respondent’s situation. The program also sent email notifications based on conditional responses.

Achieving geographic and ethnic diversity are important goals for most studies. For the SUPREME Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Study, we recruited post-partum women from three regions across the country and conducted more than 700

interviews in both English and Spanish. We tailored calling over more than 1,500 hours maximizing participant contact and helping the study team achieve the

diversity it was aiming for.

Facing a tight timeline, the Medical Side Effects Study needed to investigate adverse reactions to medications—in a population of adults who had gained more than 7% of their body weight after being prescribed an antipsychotic medication.

We efficiently conducted eligibility screening and baseline interviews by phone

and coordinated biospecimen collection via mailed saliva kits and consent forms.

Our expedient approach to data collection and follow up helped the study team stay on schedule while exceeding their initial recruitment goals.

Multi-site studies require an organized and flexible approach to recruitment

and data collection. The MsFLASH Network conducted a series of studies on menopause at five different sites, each of which needed a tailored script. Recruitment activities also had to adapt quickly to sites’ changing needs— sometimes stopping and restarting at one site to stay in sync with updated study protocols. The Survey Research Program rose to the challenge, efficiently

screening more than 12,000 women across two MsFLASH studies—and

coordinating baseline mailings and reminder calls to all who were eligible.

Patient Portal Study

SUPREME Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Study

Bio-specimens Challenging populations Mixed modes Sensitive topics Language barriers Multi-site studies 3 3 3 3 3

Medical Side Effects Study

MsFLASH Network Studies

Bio-specimens Challenging populations modesMixed Sensitive topics Language barriers Multi-site studies

(9)

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Northwest Institute of Genetic Medicine

National Genome Research Institute

Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation,

Army of Women Program

Kaiser Permanente:

Georgia

Northern California

Southern California

Northwest

Colorado

“The Survey Research Program is one of Group Health Research Institute’s greatest

assets—which is why so many research organizations nationwide work with them

to optimize data collection.”

Eric B. Larson, MD, MPH

Executive Director, Group Health Research Institute

Vice President for Research, Group Health

Our clients and collaborators include:

contact

Survey Research Program

Group Health Research Institute 1730 Minor Avenue Suite 1600 Seattle, WA 98101 Phone: 206-287-2900 Fax: 206-287-2871

Survey Research Program

Part of Group Health Research Institute

Harvard School of Medicine

Indiana University School of Nursing

Public Health-Seattle King County

The Ohio State University

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

University of Washington, Department of

Oral Medicine

University of Washington, Health Services

Research and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Henry Ford Hospital