Phone or Email Survey: How do Demographics of People Aging with Long-term Physical Disability Associate with Survey Format Choice?

Abstract

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To examine the association between characteristics of people aging with long-term physical disability (PAwLTPD) and their preference for phone or email survey format. Also, to understand the use of technology in this population <h3>Design</h3> A cross-sectional survey study. <h3>Setting</h3> This study used data collected from a cohort study conducted in the community. <h3>Participants</h3> Convenience sampling was used. PAwLTPD who participated in Year 2 of a longitudinal cohort survey were included in this study. The inclusion criteria of the cohort survey were: age 45-65 years, English speaking, and self-reported onset of a physical disability at least 5 years before study recruitment. The exclusion criterion was the presence of a cognitive impairment that precludes answering survey questions reliably. Among all cohort participants, 2 were excluded from our analyses due to completion of surveys using both email and phone formats. In total, 387 participants were included in the analyses. <h3>Interventions</h3> Not applicable. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Survey formats were phone or email. Demographics included age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, living arrangement, and socioeconomic status. Self-rated physical health was measured on a 5-point scale (excellent to poor). Technology use was a multiple response question asking what forms of technology participants use to communicate with others or to find information. <h3>Results</h3> Approximately 91%, 74%, and 78% of participants reported using a mobile/smartphone, the internet, and email, respectively. Only 3% reported not using any technology. An age difference was found between survey groups (U=13137, P < .001). Participants' survey format preferences were associated with socioeconomic status (ie, income [X2=53.90, df=1, P < .001], education [X2=48.32, df = 2, P < .001], and employment [X2=17.95, df=3, P < .001]), marital status (X2=42.20, df=1, P < .001), living arrangement (X2=36.26, df=1, P < .001), and physical health (X2=9.13, df=3, P < .001). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Participants with different characteristics tend to choose different survey formats. Researchers should provide both formats to prevent biased sampling. Future studies using a larger, more representative sample and considering statistics that allow for control of covariates are suggested. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> All authors do not have anything to disclose.