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Telephone-based assessments to minimize missing data in longitudinal depression trials: a project IMPACTS study
Cindy Claassen1, Ben Kurian, Madhukar H Trivedi
1University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9119, USA.
Contemporary Clinical Trials
|September 2, 2008
Summary
Researchers can maximize patient data retention in longitudinal studies by using telephone-based follow-up procedures and a multi-step approach to minimize missing data in clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Missing data significantly threatens the validity of clinical efficacy and effectiveness trials.
- Longitudinal studies, particularly in mental health, face challenges in data collection.
- Face-to-face assessments can lead to higher rates of missing data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe methods for ensuring complete outcome assessments in a longitudinal study of major depressive disorder.
- To minimize missing data in public mental health sector subjects.
- To present telephone-based clinician interviews as a solution to data completion challenges.
Main Methods:
- A pre-planned, multi-step strategy was implemented to ensure data completeness.
- Key methods included obtaining multiple contact details, educating staff and patients, building rapport, and flexible persistence with phone appointments.
- A robust administrative and organizational structure was established before study commencement.
Main Results:
- The study achieved a 96.8% assessment completion rate for the primary outcome.
- This rate was observed in 310 out of 504 subjects completing 52 weeks of follow-up.
- Telephone-based follow-up assessments were utilized.
Conclusions:
- Telephone-based follow-up procedures effectively maximize patient data retention in longitudinal studies.
- A pre-defined, adaptable multi-step approach enhances data completeness.
- These methods are crucial for maintaining the integrity of findings in mental health research.
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