Retaining Patients

All clinical trial participants have the right to drop out of the study at any time.  If a patient chooses to drop out or fails to show up for follow-up visits, some of the data collected for this patient may be rendered unusable.  This is why retaining patients throughout the study is as important as enrolling them.

There are many ways in which a site can encourage its participants to remain in the study until the end.  Here are a few practical tips:

• Show the participant they are respected and valued for their committment throughout the study and the follow-up



• Be flexible when scheduling visits and testing



• Keep participants informed of study progress and results



• Keep referring clinicians informed of participants' treatment, progress, and adverse events, so they can help provide emotional support to participants and answer participants' questions



• Be sensitive to participants/small children and provide toys and books for children if possible



• Make reminder phone calls and/or send written reminders regarding upcoming appointments or follow-up visits.  A sample on-going study visit letter is available for your reference

This is the end of "Retaining Patients" and of "Recruitment Methods."  Use the "Avoiding Under-Representation" link to proceed.