title: Adapting an evidence-based model to retain adolescent study participants in longitudinal research.
abstract: Maintaining contact with and collecting outcome data from adolescent study participants can present a significant challenge for researchers conducting longitudinal studies. Establishing an organized and effective protocol for participant follow-up is crucial to reduce attrition and maintain high retention rates. This paper describes our methods in using and adapting the evidence-based Engagement, Verification, Maintenance, and Confirmation (EVMC) model to follow up with adolescents 6 and 12 months after implementation of a health program. It extends previous research by focusing on two key modifications to the model: (1) the central role of cell phones and texting to maintain contact with study participants throughout the EVMC process and, (2) use of responsive two-way communication between staff and participants and flexible administration modes and methods in the confirmation phase to ensure that busy teens not only respond to contacts, but also complete data collection. These strategies have resulted in high overall retention rates (87-91%) with adolescent study participants at each follow-up data collection point without the utilization of other, more involved tracking measures. The methods and findings presented may be valuable for other researchers with limited resources planning for or engaged in collecting follow-up outcome data from adolescents enrolled in longitudinal studies.
authors.affiliation: The Policy & Research Group, 8434 Oak Street, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA. Electronic address: ecdavis4@illinois.edu.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: The Policy & Research Group, 8434 Oak Street, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA. Electronic address: hilary@policyandresearch.com.
authors.forename: Hilary
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Demby
authors.affiliation: The Policy & Research Group, 8434 Oak Street, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA. Electronic address: ljenner@policyandresearch.com.
authors.forename: Lynne Woodward
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Jenner
authors.affiliation: The Policy & Research Group, 8434 Oak Street, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA. Electronic address: alethia@policyandresearch.com.
authors.forename: Alethia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gregory
authors.affiliation: Louisiana Public Health Institute, 1515 Poydras Street, Suite 1200, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. Electronic address: mbroussard@lphi.org.
authors.forename: Marsha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Broussard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D040421:Cell Phone; D003142:Communication; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D018579:Patient Selection; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012107:Research Design; D035842:Research Subjects; D060145:Text Messaging; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Adolescents; Follow-up protocol; Longitudinal research; Participant retention methods; Tracking