Karen A. Robinson|Cheryl R. Dennison|Dawn M. Wayman|Peter J. Pronovost|Dale M. Needham
Systematic review identifies number of strategies important for retaining study participants
Johns Hopkins Medicine|Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins Medicine|Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins Medicine|Johns Hopkins University
h2abstracth2h3objectiveh3 loss followup threatens internal external validity yet little research examined ways limit participant attrition conducted systematic review studies primary focus strategies retain participants health care research h3study design settingsh3 completed searches pubmed cinahl central cochrane methodology register embase august 2005 also examined reference lists eligible articles relevant reviews datadriven thematic analysis retention strategies identified common themes h3resultsh3 retrieved 3068 citations 21 studies eligible inclusion abstracted 368 strategies identified 12 themes studies reported median 17 strategies across median six themes commonly reported strategies systematic methods participant contact scheduling studies retention rates lower mean rate 86 reported fewer strategies difference number different themes used h3conclusionh3 available evidence suggests investigators consider using number retention strategies across several themes maximize retention participants research including explicit evaluation effectiveness different strategies needed