Work

Research Fundamentals: Follow-up of Subjects in Clinical Trials: Addressing Subject Attrition

Year: 2004

Type: review

Abstract: Many published clinical trials have less than adequate follow-up. When conducting a clinical trial, researchers attempt to minimize data loss; however, some data may not be collected, particularly when subjects are lost to follow-up. Careful planning of research protocols, including comprehensive initial data collection, identification of locators, flexible scheduling, systematic subject tracking, monitoring subject loss, and systematically approaching problem cases can ensure high follow-up rates. This article presents a compendium of techniques and procedures that researchers can use to enhance follow-up and address attrition in their studies. Finally, this article outlines statistical techniques that can be used to address the effects of missing data, particularly when patients are lost to follow-up.

Source: Academic Emergency Medicine

DOI: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2004.tb00769.x

Authors: Robert H. Woolard, Kathleen Carty, Philip Wirtz, Richard Longabaugh, Ted D. Nirenberg, P. Allison Minugh, Bruce Becker, Patrick R. Clifford

Institutions: Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Lifespan, George Washington University, New York University

Language: English

Topic: Ethics in Clinical Research

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W2029973076

FWCI: 0.519

Cites: 32

Cited by: 70

Related to: 10