SVMC Community Health Needs Assessment 2021 - Catalog - Page 19
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Survey Limitations
As with any data, survey responses should be interpreted in the context of other data collected and
arranged for the assessment, and in consideration of the following limitations:
•
The survey was available only in English, necessitating speakers of other languages to request
assistance in completion of the survey, through translation app or other means. Most residents
in each county within SVMC’s service area speak only English or speak English “very well” (see
below).
English Proficiency6
Bennington Windham Berkshire Rensselaer
County
County
County
County
•
•
•
•
Washington
County
Percent of population
five years and older who
99.5%
99.1%
97.5%
97.6%
98.2%
speak English only or
speak English “very well”
Respondents needed to have access to the Internet and smartphone or computer.
Questions were personal in nature and may have been difficult for respondents to truthfully
answer, though every effort was made to ensure respondents were aware of the anonymity of
their responses. The sensitive nature of the survey made it susceptible to social desirability bias,
which occurs when individuals underreport behavior that is viewed as wrong (or is illegal), and
over report behavior that is viewed as positive. The survey was self-administered, removing the
pressure of an interviewer, in an attempt to mitigate this type of response bias.
Respondents did not precisely mirror the demographics of SVMC’s service area: responses are
weighted toward individuals 55 to 75 years old, women, retirees, and those with advanced
degrees. The number of respondents in other age, employment, and educational groups allowed
for robust analysis within categories, which can mitigate some of this overrepresentation.
Respondents to the survey constituted a convenience sample, not random sample, which means
that the results may not fully represent all residents within SVMC’s service area. The sample is
sufficient, however, for SVMC to be confident that the major themes in the data area likely held
by the community at large.
Secondary Data
Secondary data was collected from a variety of sources. The most recent data, for 2020 or 2021, was
used whenever possible, though many public health surveillance data sources lag behind present day by
one or more years.
Secondary Data Sources
Data sources were selected based upon reputability, robustness and validity of data provided, and the
level of geographic stratification possible. Priority was placed upon data from local departments of
6
Language Spoken at Home: American Community Survey. United States Census Bureau. 2019: ACS 5-Year Estimates Subject
Tables, S1601.
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
Community Health Needs Assessment 2021