DocStyles - PNStyles

DocStyles Methodology

From 2013-2023, Porter Novelli Public Services conducted our DocStyles surveys via SERMO’s Global Medical Panel. Starting in Fall 2023, DocStyles is conducted via M3 Global Research. For both, panelists are verified using a double opt-in sign-up process with telephone confirmation at their place of work.

DocStyles is a web-based survey that is currently fielded twice a year in the spring and fall. Quotas are set to reach 1,000 primary care physicians (family practitioners and internists) and 250 of each specialty audience. Specialty audiences change across time but have often included pediatricians, OB-GYNs, nurse practitioners, oncologists, pharmacists and dieticians. Respondents are paid an honorarium of $20-$100 for completing the survey based on the number of questions asked of their specialty. Providers are screened to include only those who practice in the United States; actively see patients; work in an individual; group, or hospital practice; and have been practicing for at least three years. The survey takes anywhere from 10-40 minutes to complete depending on specialty, and response rates usually hover around 50 percent.

Specific sample sizes, response rates and survey durations for the past few years are shown below.

DocStyles 2013-2023

Sample	Invites Sent	Responses Received	Response Rate	Survey Length (Median Minutes)
2023 Spring
Primary care	1,162	1,003	62%	15
Pediatrics	347	250	72%	11
OB-GYN	430	250	58%	7
Nurse practitioner or Physician assistant	370	250	68%	14
2023 Fall A
Primary care	1,896	1,004	53%	25
Pediatrics	360	250	69%	21
OB-GYN	396	252	64%	11
Nurse practitioner or Physician assistant	456	266	58%	24
2023 Fall B
Primary care	1,396	1,001	72%	21
OB-GYN	423	252	60%	22
Nurse practitioner or Physician assistant	327	250	76%	21
2022 Spring
Primary care	1,395	1,000	72%	16
Pediatrics	363	250	69%	10
OB-GYN	447	253	57%	11
Nurse practitioner or Physician assistant	386	250	65%	18
2022 Fall A
Primary care	1,526	1,002	66%	23
Pediatrics	335	250	75%	16
OB-GYN	420	250	60%	19
Nurse practitioner or Physician assistant	306	250	82%	22
2022 Fall B
Primary care	1,545	1,002	65%	26
Pediatrics	332	251	76%	14
OB-GYN	422	251	59%	18
Nurse practitioner or Physician assistant	370	251	68%	27
2021 Spring
Primary care	1,548	1,002	65%	24
Pediatrics	371	250	67%	15
OB-GYN	403	250	62%	14
Nurse practitioner or Physician assistant	353	251	71%	25
2021 Fall
Primary care	1,535	1,000	65%	24
Pediatrics	381	251	66%	10
OB-GYN	403	250	62%	21
Nurse practitioner or Physician assistant	408	250	61%	19
2020 Spring
Primary care	1,514	1,007	67%	22
Pediatrics	394	251	64%	9
OB-GYN	361	251	70%	20
Nurse practitioner or Physician assistant	351	251	72%	21
2020 Fall
Primary care	1,448	1,000	69%	28
Pediatrics	330	252	76%	20
OB-GYN	365	251	69%	21
Nurse practitioner or Physician assistant	418	251	60%	25
2019
Primary care	1,490	1,000	67%	33
Pediatrics	390	250	64%	6
OB-GYN	399	250	63%	25
Nurse practitioner or Physician assistant	417	250	60%	31
2018 A
Primary care	1,290	1.001	78%	36
Pediatrics	362	250	69%	18
OB-GYN	307	250	81%	18
Nurse practitioner	531	252	48%	30
Oncology	666	253	38%	14
Pharmacist	309	250	81%	9
2018 B
Primary care	1,620	1,004	62%	25
OB-GYN	304	250	82%	23
Nurse practitioner	658	251	38%	26
2017
Primary care	1,593	1,003	63%	40
Pediatrics	430	250	58%	12
OB-GYN	441	251	57%	27
Nurse practitioner	1,785	256	14%	41
Oncology	1,958	250	13%	12
Pharmacist	418	250	60%	14
2016
Primary care	1,422	1,003	70%	45
Pediatrics	369	250	68%	14
OB-GYN	350	250	71%	20
Nurse practitioner	612	253	41%	53
Pharmacist	357	250	70%	11
2015
Primary care	1,122	1,000	89%	38
Pediatrics	325	250	77%	15
OB-GYN	347	250	72%	31
Nurse practitioner	487	251	51%	40
2014
Primary care	1,353	1,008	74%	26
Pediatrics	397	252	63%	16
OB-GYN	364	250	69%	21
Nurse practitioner	398	250	63%	26
2013
Primary care	1,438	1,006	70%	25
Pediatrics	399	250	63%	10
OB-GYN	364	251	69%	20
Nurse practitioner	456	250	55%	25