Survey response rates in health sciences education research: A 10-year meta-analysis.

Growth in the online survey market may be increasing response burden and possibly jeopardizing higher response rates. This meta-analysis evaluated survey trends over one decade (2011-2020) to determine: (1) changes in survey publication rates over time, (2) changes in response rates over time, (3) typical response rates within health sciences education research, (4) the factors influencing survey completion levels, and (5) common gaps in survey methods and outcomes reporting. Study I estimated survey publication trends between 2011 and 2020 using articles published in the top three health sciences education research journals. Study II searched the anatomical sciences education literature across six databases and extracted study/survey features and survey response rates. Time plots and a proportional meta-analysis were performed. Per 2926 research articles, the annual estimated proportion of studies with survey methodologies has remained constant, with no linear trend (p > 0.050) over time (Study I). Study II reported a pooled absolute response rate of 67% (95% CI = 63.9-69.0) across 360 studies (k), totaling 115,526 distributed surveys. Despite response rate oscillations over time, no significant linear trend (p = 0.995) was detected. Neither survey length, incentives, sponsorship, nor population type affected absolute response rates (p ≥ 0.070). Only 35% (120 of 339) of studies utilizing a Likert scale reported evidence of survey validity. Survey response rates and the prevalence of studies with survey methodologies have remained stable with no linear trends over time. We recommend researchers strive for a typical absolute response rate of 67% or higher and clearly document evidence of survey validity for empirical studies.

Distal Superficial Femoral Vein Cannulation for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Placement in Infants with Cardiac Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel real-time ultrasound (US)-guided distal superficial femoral vein (DSFV) cannulation technique for insertion of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) in critically ill infants with congenital heart disease. DESIGN: Descriptive retrospective cohort study SETTING: Pediatric cardiac intensive care unit in a pediatric tertiary hospital PATIENTS: First 28 critically ill infants that received DSFV PICCs via this new technique. RESULTS: Thirty-seven US-guided DSFV PICCs were attempted on 31 infants from September 2012 to November 2014; 34 PICCs were placed in 28 patients (success rate 92%). Twenty-six of 28 patients underwent cardiac surgery. Median (IQR) age at time of PICC placement 39 days (13, 151); weight 3.4 kg (3.2, 5.3). 25/34 PICCs were placed in patients with STAT 4 or 5 category. Median PICC duration 16 days (11, 29); maximum duration 123 days. Ten infants (36%) had DSFV PICCs placed as the primary central venous access in perioperative period. Ten of 28 patients underwent cardiac catheterization while DSFV PICC was in place, four of which were performed through ipsilateral common femoral vein. Two patients had femoral arterial lines placed in the ipsilateral femoral artery while DSFV PICC was in place. There were no reported inadvertent arterial punctures. The PICC-associated infection rate was 4.6 per 1000 line days. Four of 34 DSFV PICCs (11.8%) were associated with deep venous thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: DSFV is a novel venous access site for PICC placement with high success rate and sufficient longevity and flexibility for critically ill infants with cardiac disease. More experience and larger studies are needed to confirm its potential advantages.