Table 3.

Main issues raised by PPI representatives

PPI representative suggestions		Comment	Consequence
Survey structure	Case vignette should be the very first part of the survey followed by questionnaire items	The rationale was that respondents may expect that the survey quickly gets to the subject matter and PPI representatives argued that the vignette was the central part of the survey	Case vignette moved to the first section of survey
	Alter the succession of questions following the scenario	For example grouping of vignette related items immediately following the vignette	Changed succession of items
Survey contents	General need for brevity of text and items whenever possible	PPI representatives maintained preference for minimum writing	Several adjustments with removal of unneeded text
	Need for a brief but comprehensible introduction to the hypothetical scenario	PPI representatives maintained importance of guidance throughout parts of survey	Insertion of brief prologues
	‘Reverse’ wording of questions	By way of example, PPI representatives suggested replacing ‘I would not use that doctor again’ with ‘I would use that doctor again’ because the original question may ‘push’ responders towards negative ratings	Rephrasing of items