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BMC Medical Research Methodology
Published in: BMC Medical Research Methodology 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Participant retention practices in longitudinal clinical research studies with high retention rates

Authors: Martha Abshire, Victor D. Dinglas, Maan Isabella A. Cajita, Michelle N. Eakin, Dale M. Needham, Cheryl Dennison Himmelfarb

Published in: BMC Medical Research Methodology | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

There is a need for improving cohort retention in longitudinal studies. Our objective was to identify cohort retention strategies and implementation approaches used in studies with high retention rates.

Methods

Longitudinal studies with ≥200 participants, ≥80% retention rates over ≥1 year of follow-up were queried from an Institutional Review Board database at a large research-intensive U.S. university; additional studies were identified through networking. Nineteen (86%) of 22 eligible studies agreed to participate. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews, participants provided retention strategies based on themes identified from previous literature reviews. Synthesis of data was completed by a multidisciplinary team.

Results

The most commonly used retention strategies were: study reminders, study visit characteristics, emphasizing study benefits, and contact/scheduling strategies. The research teams were well-functioning, organized, and persistent. Additionally, teams tailored their strategies to their participants, often adapting and innovating their approaches.

Conclusions

These studies included specialized and persistent teams and utilized tailored strategies specific to their cohort and individual participants. Studies’ written protocols and published manuscripts often did not reflect the varied strategies employed and adapted through the duration of study. Appropriate retention strategy use requires cultural sensitivity and more research is needed to identify how strategy use varies globally.
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Metadata
Title
Participant retention practices in longitudinal clinical research studies with high retention rates
Authors
Martha Abshire
Victor D. Dinglas
Maan Isabella A. Cajita
Michelle N. Eakin
Dale M. Needham
Cheryl Dennison Himmelfarb
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Medical Research Methodology / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2288
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-017-0310-z

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