Dataset Information

A systematic review of the effect of retention methods in population-based cohort studies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Longitudinal studies are of aetiological and public health relevance but can be undermined by attrition. The aim of this paper was to identify effective retention strategies to increase participation in population-based cohort studies.

Methods

Systematic review of the literature to identify prospective population-based cohort studies with health outcomes in which retention strategies had been evaluated.

Results

Twenty-eight studies published up to January 2011 were included. Eleven of which were randomized controlled trials of retention strategies (RCT). Fifty-seven percent of the studies were postal, 21% in-person, 14% telephone and 7% had mixed data collection methods. A total of 45 different retention strategies were used, categorised as 1) incentives, 2) reminder methods, repeat visits or repeat questionnaires, alternative modes of data collection or 3) other methods. Incentives were associated with an increase in retention rates, which improved with greater incentive value. Whether cash was the most effective incentive was not clear from studies that compared cash and gifts of similar value. The average increase in retention rate was 12% for reminder letters, 5% for reminder calls and 12% for repeat questionnaires. Ten studies used alternative data collection methods, mainly as a last resort. All postal studies offered telephone interviews to non-responders, which increased retention rates by 3%. Studies that used face-to-face interviews increased their retention rates by 24% by offering alternative locations and modes of data collection.

Conclusions

Incentives boosted retention rates in prospective cohort studies. Other methods appeared to have a beneficial effect but there was a general lack of a systematic approach to their evaluation.

SUBMITTER: Booker CL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3103452 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

A systematic review of the effect of retention methods in population-based cohort studies.

Booker Cara L CL Harding Seeromanie S Benzeval Michaela M

BMC public health 20110419

<h4>Background</h4>Longitudinal studies are of aetiological and public health relevance but can be undermined by attrition. The aim of this paper was to identify effective retention strategies to increase participation in population-based cohort studies.<h4>Methods</h4>Systematic review of the literature to identify prospective population-based cohort studies with health outcomes in which retention strategies had been evaluated.<h4>Results</h4>Twenty-eight studies published up to January 2011 we ...[more]

PMID: 21504610

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Project description:Background & aimsThe incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) in older adults is increasing. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate progression of elderly onset (EO) IBD in population-based cohorts and compared it with adult onset (AO) IBD.MethodsIn a systematic review through June 1, 2019, we identified population-based cohort studies of EO IBD reporting the cumulative risk of hospitalization, surgery, mortality, treatment patterns, escalation, and/or malignancy. Data were synthesized using random-effects meta-analysis as cumulative risk of events at 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years, and compared with data from patients with AO IBD in the same cohorts.ResultsWe identified 9 studies, comprising 14,765 patients with EO IBD. In patients with EO Crohn's disease (CD), the cumulative 5-year risk of surgery was 22.6% (95% CI, 18.7-27.2) and was similar to that of patients with AO CD (relative risk [RR], 1.04; 95% CI, 0.80-1.34). Overall exposure to corticosteroids was comparable between patients with EO CD vs AO CD (5-year risk: 55.4%; 95% CI, 53.4-57.4; RR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.78-1.00), but exposure to immunomodulators (31.5%; 95% CI, 29.7-33.4; RR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.51-0.77) or biologic agents (6.5%; 95% CI, 5.6-7.6; RR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.25-0.52) was significantly lower for patients with EO CD than for patients with AO CD. Similarly, in patients with EO ulcerative colitis (UC), the cumulative 5-year risk of surgery was 7.8% (95% CI, 5.0-12.0), similar to the risk for patients with AO UC (RR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.79-2.11). Overall exposure to corticosteroids was comparable between patients with EO UC vs AO UC (5-year risk: 57.2%; 95% CI, 55.6-58.7; RR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.91-1.06), but exposure to immunomodulators (16.1%; 95% CI, 15.0-17.2; RR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.54-0.62) or biologic agents (2.0%; 95% CI, 1.6-2.5; RR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.24-0.52) was significantly lower for patients with EO UC than for patients with AO UC. Patients with EO IBD appeared to have increased mortality, but not malignancy, compared with the general population. There were few data on comorbidities or adverse effects of medications.ConclusionsIn a systematic review and meta-analysis, we found that patients with EO IBD have a similar risk of surgery as patients with AO IBD. However, patients with EO IBD are less likely to receive treatment with immunomodulators or biologic agents.

Project description:BackgroundMany current research needs can only be addressed using very large cohorts. In such studies, traditional one-on-one phone, face-to-face, or paper-based engagement may not be feasible. The only realistic mechanism for maintaining engagement and participation at this scale is via digital methods. Given the substantial investment being made into very large birth cohort studies, evidence for optimal methods of participant engagement, participation, and retention over sustained periods without in-person contact from researchers is paramount.ObjectiveThis study aims to provide an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses evaluating alternative strategies for maximizing participant engagement and retention rates in large-scale studies using digital methods.MethodsWe used a rapid review method by searching PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE databases from January 2012 to December 2019. Studies evaluating at least 1 e-engagement, participation, or retention strategy were eligible. Articles were screened for relevance based on preset inclusion and exclusion criteria. The methodological quality of the included reviews was assessed using the AMSTAR-2 (Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews 2) measurement tool, and a narrative synthesis of the data was conducted.ResultsThe literature search yielded 19 eligible reviews. Overall, 63% (n=12) of these reviews reported on the effectiveness of e-engagement or participation promotion strategies. These evaluations were generally not conducted within very large observational digital cohorts. Most of the contributing reviews included multipurpose cohort studies (with both observational and interventional elements) conducted in clinical and research settings. Email or SMS text message reminders, SMS text messages or voice notifications, and incentives were the most commonly used design features to engage and retain participants. For parental outcomes, engagement-facilitation interventions influenced uptake and behavior change, including video feedback, goal setting, and intensive human facilitation and support. Participant-stated preferences for content included new knowledge, reminders, solutions, and suggestions about health issues presented in a clear, short, and personalized way. Perinatal and postpartum women valued self-monitoring and personalized feedback. Digital reminders and multiple SMS text messages were specific strategies that were found to increase adherence to medication and clinic attendance, respectively.ConclusionsThis review adds to the growing literature evaluating methods to optimize engagement and participation that may apply to large-scale studies using digital methods; it is promising that most e-engagement and participation promotion strategies appear to be effective. However, these reviews canvassed relatively few strategies, suggesting that few alternative strategies have been experimentally evaluated. The reviews also revealed a dearth of experimental evidence generated within very large observational digital cohort studies, which may reflect the small number of such studies worldwide. Thus, very large studies may need to proactively build in experimental opportunities to test engagement and retention approaches to enhance the success of their own and other large digital contact studies.

Dataset Information

A systematic review of the effect of retention methods in population-based cohort studies.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

A systematic review of the effect of retention methods in population-based cohort studies.

Similar Datasets

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