Att 5b - Invitation

Attachment 5B

Provider Survey Invitation/Cover Letter

Survey Invitation/Cover Letter

Insert Date

Name

Title

Address

City, State, Zip

Dear Insert Name:

As you know, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a federal agency that conducts a broad range of public health research and disease monitoring. This letter is to request your assistance with the CDC in an important area – screening for colorectal cancer. The CDC has contracted with ICF Macro, an independent survey research firm, to conduct a study of physicians and their experiences, practices, and opinions regarding colorectal cancer testing.

Using standard sampling techniques, we have selected a group of primary care physicians from several areas around the country to participate in a written survey. We recognize that your time is extremely valuable. As a small token of our appreciation for your help in this effort, we have included a $25 check made payable to you.

If you participate in this study, we will protect your identity and privacy. Your name will not be associated with any written report. Responses to survey items will have no identifiers other than a master identification number, and contact information will be stored by CDC’s contractor, ICF Macro, in a separate file with restricted access. At the end of the study, all linked information will be destroyed.

On average the survey will take 12 minutes to complete. Findings from surveys like this one help CDC learn more about current attitudes and practices of primary care physicians regarding colorectal cancer screening. Your opinions, along with those of other physician participants, will be compiled and summarized by ICF Macro. These summaries will be given to the CDC to help us better shape our colorectal cancer screening promotional efforts. Your opinions, and those of other practicing doctors, are especially important to these efforts.

When you are finished, please return the survey in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. Completing and returning the survey will indicate your consent to participate in the study. You may also return the completed survey by fax using the number provided on p. 11 of the survey. We sincerely hope you will take part in this important effort. If you have any questions you may contact me at CDC (insert toll free number) or Michelle Revels, the Study Director, at ICF Macro (insert toll free number).

Again, thank you for your time!

Sincerely,

Amy DeGroff, PhD, MPH, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention