The 2003 Index of Hospital Quality

Stratification
To compensate for the widely varying number of eligible physicians across the
targeted specialties, we used different probabilities of selection for each grouping
and proportionate stratification across the four United States Census regions
(Northeast, Midwest, South, and West). Within each of the 17 strata, we
achieved a sample that was also geographically representative of the spread of
physicians across the country.
2003 physician survey
For 2003, 150 sampled physicians per specialty were mailed a one-page
questionnaire (see Appendix C). In 2002, 150 sampled physicians per specialty
were mailed a three-page questionnaire (see Appendix B) and an additional 30
physicians per specialty were mailed a one-page questionnaire containing only
the hospital nomination item. Since the response rate in 2002 was higher for
physicians who received the short form questionnaire, it was utilized for all
physicians in 2003. In 2001, half of the questionnaires made explicit reference to
the U.S. News & World Report publication and half simply indicated that the
questionnaire was for an annual survey of physicians. In 2002 and 2003, all
questionnaires made reference to U.S. News & World Report.
Along with the questionnaires, physicians were also sent a cover letter, a prepaid
return envelope, and a token incentive in the form of a two-dollar bill. One week
after the initial survey mailing, a reminder postcard was sent to the sampled
physicians. Two weeks following the reminder mailing, we sent a United States
Postal Service Priority mailing to non-respondents including the questionnaire, a
cover letter and a business reply envelope. Three weeks after the second
mailing, a third mailing was sent via Federal Express and included the
questionnaire, a cover letter, and a business reply envelope.
19