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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Practice Information (PI) survey?
The PI survey is a national effort aimed at collecting up-to-date information on audiologists' practice characteristics in order to positively influence national decision makers while helping to further develop and refine ADA's policy recommendations. Practice data being utilized by Congress, as well as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, are nearly a decade old for most specialties and must be updated to reflect current experience and costs. The PI survey will provide policy makers with current, accurate data across specialty and practice types so that they can make more informed, evidence based decisions.

Why should I participate in this study?
This study represents your practice's opportunity to communicate accurate financial and operational information to policy makers including members of Congress and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Your participation in this study will ensure that the voice and priorities of your professional specialty are clearly heard.

What type of information is being collected?
The PI survey is focused on collecting information on practice characteristics, and provider hours worked. The survey also seeks to quantify common professional expenses associated with medical practice (during 2006), and participation in Medicare. Finally, current topics of national interest such as medical malpractice coverage and the use of electronic medical records are explored.

What organizations endorse the study?
The AMA along with 70 other medical and non-medical health care organizations, including ADA, AAA and ASHA, have provided financial support and endorsement for the 2008 Practice Information survey.

Who is conducting the study?
The organizations endorsing the PI study have contracted with Dmrkynetec to collect this data on their behalf. Dmrkynetec is an independent, recognized research and consulting firm with significant experience in collecting medical practice information.

Why was I chosen?
You were randomly selected as part of a statistically-controlled sample to represent thousands of other providers in your specialty and region of the country. Your participation is critical to ensure that the information collected is representative of providers in all types of practice situations.

How long will this survey take?
There are two components associated with the survey; one to be completed by the provider and the other by the practice's manager/administrator. Advance materials include worksheets to help efficiently organize the information. Once these worksheets are filled in, each component of the survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete by phone or web.

Are my responses confidential?
The Dmrkynetec adheres to strict confidentiality guidelines. All information that would permit identification of any participant will be regarded as strictly confidential. Such information will be used only for purposes of the study and will not be disclosed or released for any other purposes without prior consent, except as required by law.

Where can I see results of the study?
Results of the final study may be published in AMNews, JAMA, the Journal of Health Economics, and a wide variety of other professional journals. In addition, practices participating in the 2008 PI survey will receive a special data summary document containing highlights of study results. This summary document will only be available to PI participants.