Barriers to questionnaire completion: Understanding the AIDS/HIV patient's perspective

Aim: To determine what encourages or discourages AIDS/HIV patients from completing questionnaires. Background: Data from surveys can provide important information but response rates can be poor. Factors that affect this in an HIV clinic population have not been assessed previously. Review methods: The researchers used a qualitative approach and a structured interview schedule. Ten patients were recruited and participated in one-to-one interviews. Discussion: Most patients saw the potential value of completing a questionnaire in the clinic. Lack of privacy during completion was raised as a concern, particularly if there were sensitive questions to respond to. Lack of technical competence was identified by some as a barrier to participation in electronic surveys. Tickboxes were preferred over rating scales or open answers. Participants did not expect a cash incentive or entry in a prize draw when asked to complete a questionnaire in-clinic. Conclusion: Generally, AIDS/HIV patients were willing to participate in surveys. Availability of a private area to complete the questionnaire, avoiding complex electronic systems, completion in the clinic, tickbox answers and a length of under two sides of A4 were the most important features that improved acceptability of the questionnaire to patients. Implications for research: Surveys that evaluate care need to be short, easy to complete and have clear relevance to the patients' experience. © 2013 RCN Publishing Ltd