Recruitment of participants Frequently asked questions EHES Training Material WHY ME? Because you are important…

Inviting participants Survey personnel need to know answers to most common questions when recruiting participants The following examples will help to give quick and adequate answers for the most common questions.

“I’m too busy” “I can understand that you are busy, and we can schedule your visit for the time most suitable for you. How about evening or weekend times … (suggest days/times)?” “It is really important to examine also busy people, so that we can get representative information about the entire population of this country and this region.” In case the full appointment seems too time consuming, the questionnaire or a short version (non- respondent questionnaire) and only the core measurements should be offered.

“Is the information confidential?” “Yes. In the survey data, no names and ID- information are used. Your data will be linked to you only for the purpose of sending you feedback on your personal results.” “In case there are any questions/measurements which you experience as being too personal, you have no obligation to answer/take part in them.”

“Why have you selected me?” “We have drawn a representative sample of people from all over the country. You have been randomly selected from the (add sampling frame).” “After selecting the sample, it is not possible to replace the selected persons by someone else. This is why it is important that you will participate to the survey.”

“I’m too ill to participate.” “To be able to get a good picture of the health status and health determinants in this country, it is really important to examine also those with poor health.” “If you feel that you are not well enough to come to the examination site, could we do the examination at your home? We will not carry out any measurement that would include any risk to your health. You have the right to refuse any measurements that you feel too exhausting.”

“I’m really healthy – I don’t need to participate” “We are interested in obtaining information from healthy and sick individuals and everything in between. To be able to get a good picture of the health status and health determinants in this country, it is really important to examine also those with good health.” “You may still receive new information on your health” (mention measurements and/or blood tests that may be interesting)

“I see my doctor all the time – I just had a health check up” “The survey is not just about health but also about lifestyles and other factors affecting health.” “We cannot obtain health information from your doctor (medical records).” “Even though there is not much personal benefit for you, the information is important to the research and health monitoring purposes. The information is needed to plan health services and health promotion activities for future generations.”

Acknowledgements Slides Sanna Ahonen, Johan Heldal, Päivikki Koponen, Hanna Tolonen See additional examples in: EHES manual Part B: 02. Instructions to participants and motivating participation: Appendix. FAQ - Sampling & participation