Methods
The study was approved by Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s
Institutional Review Board (IRB). We conducted a cross sectional mail
survey of PCPs (physicians, NPs, and PAs) in New York State (NYS) using
Dillman methodology.27 PCP names and practice
addresses were obtained from IQVIA, the largest provider reference
database in the US.28 We randomly selected a group of
physicians, NPs, and PAs from practices that met the following criteria:
1) outpatient practices identified as primary care, internal medicine,
or family medicine; 2) practices with at least 2 providers; 3) providers
classified as the following (NP-adult health, family, gerontology, or
primary care29; Physicians-internists, family
physicians, or geriatricians30; PA: primary care). The
following practices were excluded: 1) university-based/student health;
2) medical specialty (e.g. obstetrics; dermatology); 3) single provider
practices; 4) practices outside NYS. The mailings consisted of a cover
letter explaining the purpose of the study; consent form listing
potential risks and benefits and contact information for the research
team and IRB, a paper version of the survey, and prepaid return
envelope. Using the Dillman method for mailed surveys,
non-respondents received a reminder postcard approximately 3 weeks after
the first mailing.27 Each survey had an individual PCP
identification number assigned to it to track respondents. Postcard
reminders were sent after 3 weeks and then a second survey was sent to
non-respondents. At the end of each survey, participants were invited to
provide their email address for voluntary participation in a lottery for
one of thirty Fitbit wireless activity trackers. Incentives have
been found to improve return rates.31, 32