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There is currently uncertainty regarding the relative performance of a retrospective diary (RD) and a quantity–frequency index (QFI) measure of weekly alcohol consumption. While some previous studies have found more consumption reported on an RD than a QFI, others have found the reverse. As yet, however, no study has compared computerized versions of these two measures. This cross-sectional study involved administration of a computerized survey in a community-based drug and alcohol treatment setting. Five hundred and eighty-six clients (420 males) attending counselling for a range of drug- and alcohol-related issues agreed to participate in the study. The major finding was that more alcohol consumption was reported on the RD, than on the QFI. Similarly, the RD detected a greater proportion of both heavy and high-risk drinkers than the QFI. It is argued that the RD may be preferable to the QFI as a measure of weekly alcohol consumption, for use in community-based treatment settings. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We welcome the commentaries by Hagger et al. and Stephens and consider their observations to be timely and constructive. Hagger et al. raise concerns regarding the sustainability of behaviour change once incentives have been removed and their influence on intrinsic motivation.We concur that questions regarding both of these issues remain but argue that, in the case of sustainability, there is some evidence to support long-term behaviour change, given particular conditions. Given that the question of maintenance is applicable to any health intervention, we propose that the role of incentives may be better matched with motivating initial behaviour change, and researchers should explore other mechanisms for sustaining behaviour change and intrinsic motivation, over a longer period of time.Stephens highlights the complexity of health behaviours and warns of the dangers associated with taking an individualised approach to health promotion.We support the need for both downstream and upstream approaches to reducing health inequalities and contend that financial incentives still have a potential role to play in encouraging health behaviour change.

Chronic conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and mental illness are increasingly prevalent and associated with considerable psychosocial burden. There is a need to consider population health approaches to reducing this burden. Web-based interventions offer an alternative to traditional face-to-face interventions with several potential advantages. This systematic review explores the effectiveness, reach and adoption of web-based approaches for improving psychosocial outcomes in patients with common chronic conditions. A systematic review of published work examining web-based psychosocial interventions for patients with chronic conditions from 2001 to 2011. Seventy-four publications were identified. Thirty-six studies met the criteria for robust research design. A consistent significant effect in favour of the web-based intervention was identified in 20 studies, particularly those using cognitive behavioural therapy for depression. No positive effect was found in 11 studies, and mixed effects were found in 5 studies. The role of sociodemographic characteristics in relation to outcomes or issues of reach and adoption was explored in very few studies. Although it is possible to achieve positive effects on psychosocial outcomes using web-based approaches, effects are not consistent across conditions. Robust comparisons of the reach, adoption and cost-effectiveness of web-based support compared with other options such as face-to-face and print-based approaches are needed.

Background: The use of financial incentives or pay-for-performance programs for health care providers has triggered emerging interest in the use of financial incentives for encouraging health behaviour change., Purpose: This paper aims to identify key conditions under which the use of financial incentives for improvements in public health outcomes is most likely to be effective and appropriate., Methods: We review recent systematic reviews on their effectiveness in changing health behaviour and identify existing moral concerns concerning personal financial incentives., Results: Current evidence indicates that incentives can be effective in driving health behaviour change under certain provisos, while a number of misgivings continue to be deliberated on. We outline a number of key principles for consideration in decisions about the potential use of incentives in leading to public health improvements., Conclusion: These key principles can assist policy makers in making decisions on the use of financial incentives directed at achieving improvements in public health.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of an "enhanced" invitation letter in increasing participation in an Australian cancer registry-based study and assess the representativeness of the study sample., Study Design and Setting: Eight hundred hematological cancer survivors, diagnosed within the last 3 years and aged 18-80 years at recruitment, were selected from one Australian state-based cancer registry. Half were randomly allocated to receive the standard invitation letter (control group). The remaining half received a modified invitation letter, incorporating content and design characteristics recommended to improve written communication (intervention group)., Results: Of the 732 eligible survivors, 268 (37%) returned a completed survey. There was no difference in participation between the intervention (n = 131, 36%) and control groups (n = 137, 38%; P = 0.53). Participants were representative of the population for characteristics assessed, except for age group at diagnosis. Survivors 50 years or older at diagnosis had higher odds of returning a completed survey, 50-59 (odds ratio [OR]: 2.53; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.47, 4.35), 60-69 (OR: 2.69; 95% CI: 1.58-4.58), and 70-80 (OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.07-3.35), than survivors aged 15-39 years at diagnosis., Conclusion: An enhanced invitation letter was not effective in increasing participation of hematological cancer survivors in an Australian cancer registry study. The study sample was moderately representative on variables assessed, with age group at diagnosis the only variable associated with participation. Research should evaluate strategies to increase participation in registry studies and focus on tailoring techniques to patient's age., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: There is growing international interest in the use of financial incentives in smoking cessation, yet little research on public opinion of the scheme. This paper reports on the acceptability of incentives for reducing smoking in pregnant women and the perceived size of incentive that would encourage smoking cessation during pregnancy., Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a convenience sample of 213 women attending the antenatal clinic of a large public hospital in Australia. Participants completed a questionnaire on their views on the use of incentives with responses measured on a 5-point Likert scale., Results: The majority of participants (60%) did not agree that paying pregnant smokers to quit is a good idea. Opinions regarding the likely effectiveness were mixed with 30% of respondents in agreement and 22% undecided. Most (62%) were not willing to pay smokers any amount to quit. Smokers were more likely to have more favorable views about incentives than nonsmokers (p < .0001) and considered payments of between $100 and >$1,000 acceptable as reward for quitting smoking., Conclusions: Acceptability for the use of financial incentives in reducing antenatal smoking is low among pregnant women. Future research should explore views of a wider audience and continue to gather stronger evidence of the efficacy of rewards for reducing smoking in pregnancy.