Methods | Purpose: to compare a phone call reminder about influenza vaccination or no intervention Design: RCT, participants randomised Duration of study: 23 September to 23 October 1996 Interval between intervention and when outcome was measured: 1 month Power computation: not performed Statistics: percentages, probabilities | |
Participants | Country: USA Setting: Smoky Hill Family Practice Center, Salina, Kansas Eligible participants: (health status): all 475 individuals ≥ 65 were sent a postcard reminder, eligibles are those who did not respond; exclusions = those resident in nursing homes Age: ≥ 65 Gender: not stated | |
Interventions | All 475 individuals ≥ 65 were sent a postcard reminding them about influenza vaccination; non‐respondents were then randomised to either: Intervention 1: 1 to 2 phone calls Control: no intervention | |
Outcomes | Outcome measured: % influenza vaccination Time points from the study that are considered in the review or measured or reported in the study: 23 September to 23 October 1996 % vaccinated by: 23 October 1996 | |
Notes | Funding: no funding | |
Risk of bias | ||
Bias | Authors' judgement | Support for judgement |
Random sequence generation (selection bias) | High risk | Alternate randomisation of alphabetised households |
Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Unclear risk | No statement |
Blinding (performance bias and detection bias) All outcomes | Unclear risk | No statement |
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes | Unclear risk | Vaccination uptake for the whole practice for the 2 preceding years are provided, but not for the intervention and control groups. Not stated how immunisation data were recorded or whether the practice was computerised (however, participants were all ≥ 65 and thus Medicare beneficiaries so there was an incentive to record data to obtain payment) "For the purposes of this study, only immunizations administered at the Family Practice Center were considered in assessing the study's outcome. During the telephone intervention, Family Practice Center staff recorded any patient comments about prior immunization for that season or subsequent intentions for immunization." |
Selective reporting (reporting bias) | Low risk | No selective reporting |