Reducing systematic bias in any group of study participants should be a priority of any researcher. This can be achieved by ensuring the sampling framework is adequate and by increasing response rates. Response rates in studies of general practitioners have to date tended to be low. Generalization of results to the wider population of GPs is therefore reduced. This paper systematically examines those factors which can reduce bias, recognising accurate identification of the target population, gaining good access to respondents, and maximising response rates as crucial factors. The importance of a medical peer in recruitment is examined. Applying these factors to a study situation, three different recruitment strategies were tested. As the strategy improved, there was an incremental improvement in the response rate (44%, 67%, 78%). These results indicate that by specifically addressing strategies which facilitate access to the target population, and increase the legitimacy and credibility of the study, significant improvements in response rates can be achieved.

This article describes results from a community initiated qualitative research project investigating barriers to the provision of care for people with dementia (PWD) and their carers. The study was conducted in a rural remote Tasmanian community ("Cape Coastal"). Focus group discussions were held with family member carers of PWD, members of the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), nurses employed in the local hospital and a local nursing home, community health nurses and local general practitioners. In addition, two semi-structured interviews were conducted with a dementia support worker allocated to service the region and a single family member carer. Barriers to the effective provision of care for PWD and their carers were identified. These were: distance and isolation; perceptions of geographic and professional boundaries including issues of medical dominance; and gaps in health care provider and carers? knowledge about dementia and dementia services. These results demonstrate that while Cape Coastal has many points in common with other rural and remote communities in Australia and in Canada and the United States (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], 2002), it is important to recognise local context when planning and providing services for PWD and other chronic diseases.

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