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To examine the effectiveness of mixed-mode methodology, this article draws on a study that used both online and paper surveys to collect data on a sample of the over 50 population in a small New England town. Respondents were offered the option of responding online or with a paper survey, an approach that addresses some of the major concerns about using online surveys among groups with limited Internet access while also reducing costs and simplifying data entry. The authors demonstrate that response mode does not have a significant effect on survey answers once demographic variables (such as employment and income) are added to the analysis. In addition, the results from this survey suggest that the Internet is useful as a tool to collect data from those over 50. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The study aimed to explore the subjective need of healthcare professionals for ethics consultation, their experience with ethical conflicts, and expectations and objections toward a Clinical Ethics Committee. Staff at a university hospital took part in a survey (January to June 2010) using a questionnaire with open and closed questions. Descriptive data for physicians and nurses (response rate = 13.5%, n = 101) are presented. Physicians and nurses reported similar high frequencies of ethical conflicts but rated the relevance of ethical issues differently. Nurses stated ethical issues as less important to physicians than to themselves. Ethical conflicts were mostly discussed with staff from one’s own profession. Respondents predominantly expected the Clinical Ethics Committee to provide competent support. Mostly, nurses feared it might have no influence on clinical practice. Findings suggest that experiences of ethical conflicts might reflect interprofessional communication patterns. Expectations and objections against Clinical Ethics Committees were multifaceted, and should be overcome by providing sufficient information. The Clinical Ethics Committee needs to take different perspectives of professions into account. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]