long-term follow-up (research) long-term follow-up (research)
When researchers continue to collect data from study participants after initial research activities are completed.
Example of long-term follow-up (research) in a sentence
During long-term follow-up, participants may continue to have appointments with the study team to answer questions about their health.
More Info
Long-term follow-up usually follows a period of active treatment in a research study.
Long-term follow-up is done to collect data on the possible long-term effects of a study treatment that may not have happened during the initial research study.
For example, a member of the study team may call a participant every few months to see how they are doing and ask them questions about their health.
In some situations, long-term follow up is necessary or suggested after an intervention, like gene therapy.
Other info to think about when joining a study
Before joining a study, you should ask the study team if there will be long-term follow-up. If there is, you can confirm how long it will be and what will be involved in the ongoing data collection. For example, will you be sent questionnaires that you have to answer and return back to the study team?
If you are in a study that involves long-term follow-up, feel free to ask questions about what happens if you move away from the study site.
It may also be important for you to ask how they will stay in touch with you during long-term follow-up as the appointments may have more time between them.
