Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to identify and describe strategies available to optimize retention of a high-risk research cohort and assist in the recovery of study participants following participant dropout. Design and Methods: The Maternal Lifestyle Study (MLS), which investigated the effects of prenatal substance exposure (cocaine or opiates) on child outcome, is a prospective longitudinal follow-up study that extended from birth through 15 years of age. Retention strategies to maximize participation and factors that might negatively impact compliance were examined over the course of five follow-up phases. Findings: At the conclusion of the 15-year visits, MLS had successfully maintained compliance at 76%. Retention rates did not differ by exposure group. Conclusions: Maintaining ongoing participation of enrolled study subjects is a critical element of any successful longitudinal study. Strategies that can be used to reengage and maintain participants in longitudinal research include persistence, flexibility with scheduling, home visits, long-distance trips, increased incentives, and development of a computerized tracking system. Establishing rapport with families and ensuring confidentiality contributed to overall participant retention. The use of multiple tracking techniques is essential. Clinical Relevance: Researchers are challenged to maintain participants in longitudinal studies to ensure the integrity of their research.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 120-126 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Journal of Nursing Scholarship |
| Volume | 44 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 1 2012 |
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Keywords
- Compliance
- Longitudinal research
- Participant retention
- Tracking
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Nursing(all)
Cite this
Maintaining Participation and Momentum in Longitudinal Research Involving High-Risk Families. / Graziotti, Ann L.; Hammond, Jane; Messinger, Daniel S; Bann, Carla M.; Miller-Loncar, Cynthia; Twomey, Jean E.; Bursi, Charlotte; Woldt, Eunice; Ann Nelson, Jay; Fleischmann, Debra; Alexander, Barbara.
In: Journal of Nursing Scholarship, Vol. 44, No. 2, 01.06.2012, p. 120-126.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Maintaining Participation and Momentum in Longitudinal Research Involving High-Risk Families
AU - Graziotti, Ann L.
AU - Hammond, Jane
AU - Messinger, Daniel S
AU - Bann, Carla M.
AU - Miller-Loncar, Cynthia
AU - Twomey, Jean E.
AU - Bursi, Charlotte
AU - Woldt, Eunice
AU - Ann Nelson, Jay
AU - Fleischmann, Debra
AU - Alexander, Barbara
PY - 2012/6/1
Y1 - 2012/6/1
N2 - Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to identify and describe strategies available to optimize retention of a high-risk research cohort and assist in the recovery of study participants following participant dropout. Design and Methods: The Maternal Lifestyle Study (MLS), which investigated the effects of prenatal substance exposure (cocaine or opiates) on child outcome, is a prospective longitudinal follow-up study that extended from birth through 15 years of age. Retention strategies to maximize participation and factors that might negatively impact compliance were examined over the course of five follow-up phases. Findings: At the conclusion of the 15-year visits, MLS had successfully maintained compliance at 76%. Retention rates did not differ by exposure group. Conclusions: Maintaining ongoing participation of enrolled study subjects is a critical element of any successful longitudinal study. Strategies that can be used to reengage and maintain participants in longitudinal research include persistence, flexibility with scheduling, home visits, long-distance trips, increased incentives, and development of a computerized tracking system. Establishing rapport with families and ensuring confidentiality contributed to overall participant retention. The use of multiple tracking techniques is essential. Clinical Relevance: Researchers are challenged to maintain participants in longitudinal studies to ensure the integrity of their research.
AB - Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to identify and describe strategies available to optimize retention of a high-risk research cohort and assist in the recovery of study participants following participant dropout. Design and Methods: The Maternal Lifestyle Study (MLS), which investigated the effects of prenatal substance exposure (cocaine or opiates) on child outcome, is a prospective longitudinal follow-up study that extended from birth through 15 years of age. Retention strategies to maximize participation and factors that might negatively impact compliance were examined over the course of five follow-up phases. Findings: At the conclusion of the 15-year visits, MLS had successfully maintained compliance at 76%. Retention rates did not differ by exposure group. Conclusions: Maintaining ongoing participation of enrolled study subjects is a critical element of any successful longitudinal study. Strategies that can be used to reengage and maintain participants in longitudinal research include persistence, flexibility with scheduling, home visits, long-distance trips, increased incentives, and development of a computerized tracking system. Establishing rapport with families and ensuring confidentiality contributed to overall participant retention. The use of multiple tracking techniques is essential. Clinical Relevance: Researchers are challenged to maintain participants in longitudinal studies to ensure the integrity of their research.
KW - Compliance
KW - Longitudinal research
KW - Participant retention
KW - Tracking
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84861715572&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84861715572&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1547-5069.2012.01439.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1547-5069.2012.01439.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 22458928
AN - SCOPUS:84861715572
VL - 44
SP - 120
EP - 126
JO - Journal of Nursing Scholarship
JF - Journal of Nursing Scholarship
SN - 1527-6546
IS - 2
ER -