Table 2

Method of initial approach to families, by region

Region
Method of approach

North England
Indirect
Telephone
Child's paediatrician phoned; followed by phone call from researcher
West Sweden
Direct
Letter – opt-out
Researcher sent opt-out letter, followed by phone call
Northern Ireland
Indirect
Letter – opt-in
Child's primary notifier to the register sent opt-in letter, follow-up letters and in some cases telephoned some families
South East France
Direct
Letter – opt-out
Researcher sent opt-out letter, followed by phone call
South West Ireland
Direct
Telephone
Researcher phoned, followed by letter
East Denmark
Direct
Letter – opt-out
Researcher sent opt-out letter, followed by phone call
Central Italy
Indirect
Telephone
Doctor, social worker or therapist phoned family, followed by phone call by researcher
South West France
Direct
Telephone
Researcher phoned, followed by letter
North West Germany
Indirect
Face-to-face
Child's primary carer approached family face-to-face

Dickinson et al. BMC Public Health 2006 6:273   doi:10.1186/1471-2458-6-273