Exploring engagement with web-based surveys by New Zealand medical student and junior doctor

Introduction: Response rates to surveys of medical students and junior doctors have not previously been explicitly examined. Reasons for the observed response rates have not been scrutinised. The aims of the present study were to establish an expected response rate to electronic survey among medical students and junior doctors, and to explore reasons behind non-response. Methods: A follow-up online survey was sent to 93 medical students and junior doctors. The primary method for participants to complete the survey was via the Internet using a well-known and established survey tool. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to assess response rates and reasons for non-response. Results: Out of 93 invited medical students and junior doctors, 47 returned the follow-up survey (response rate = 50.5%). The main reasons for non-response were: there were too many surveys (74.4%), lack of time (25.5%), and the original survey being too long (10.6%). Conclusion: We found a mediocre response rate (50.5%) to electronic surveys by medical students and junior doctors included in this study. Several factors that may impede response to surveys (survey-related, and participant-related) have been identified, and these may be specifically targeted to improve survey response rates.