| Agreement between contemporaneously recorded and subsequently recalled time spent outdoors: implications for environmental exposure studies
(2007
) |
| | This study assessed validity and reliability of self-reported usual outdoor activity patterns for use in future studies of ultraviolet irradiation and skin and other cancers. We compared diary entries of activity patterns made contemporaneously with the activity with questionnaire reports obtained 6 months later. Outdoor activity during weekdays was significantly better reported than outdoor activity on weekend days.
|
| | [Abstract] [PubMed] |
| |
| Comparison between cancers identified by state cancer registry, self-report, and death certificate in a prospective cohort study of US radiologic technologists (letter)
(2006
) |
| | When medical records or pathology reports to confirm diagnoses are unavailable, we rely on self-reported diagnoses or death records to identify cancer outcomes. We compared our cancer reports (from radiologic technologists and death records) with those of four state cancer registries to assess: (a) the percentage of reported cases in which the cancer was correctly identified; and (b) the extent of under-ascertainment of cancers from self-reports, death records, or survey non-response. We found that certain cancers (breast, colon, prostate) were well-identified through self-reports and death records and others (melanoma, uterine) were not. Under-reporting of cancers was quite low in this medically-savvy cohort.
|
| | [Abstract] [PubMed] |
| |
| Randomized trial of financial incentives and delivery methods for improving response to a mailed questionnaire
(2003
) |
| | During the mid-1990s, we undertook a second questionnaire survey of the USRT cohort. After two mailings, only 64% of the radiologic technologists who were known living at the time had responded. We conducted a randomized trial of financial incentives and delivery methods to identify the least costly approach for increasing overall participation. Federal Express delivery did not improve participation over first-class mail; however, small monetary incentives, given as a token of our appreciation, did significantly increase response. Based on our findings, we sent a $1.00 bill by first-class mail to the remaining non-responders and increased overall participation to 72%.
|
| | [Abstract] [PubMed] |
| |
| Comparability of National Death Index Plus and standard procedures for determining causes of death in epidemiologic studies
(2001
) |
| | For a sample of 250 radiologic technologists who were known to be deceased, we compared the underlying cause of death codes obtained from the National Death Index Plus with those determined by obtaining death certificates from state vital statistics offices and having contractor nosologists code them. We found that NDI Plus provided comparable information within a substantially shorter time period for most states and, for known decedents, at about half the cost of standard procedures.
|
| | [Abstract] [PubMed] |
| |
