163933 Data collection and management: Things to consider

Sunday, November 4, 2007: 9:00 AM

Sharon L. Hunt, MBA , Department of Cardiac Surgery Research, Inova Heart & Vascular Institute, Falls Church, VA
Linda L. Henry, PhD, RN , Department of Cardiac Surgery Research, Inova Heart & Vascular Institute, Falls Church, VA
Lisa M. Martin, MA , Department of Cardiac Surgery Research, Inova Heart & Vascular Institute, Falls Church, VA
Scott D. Barnett, PhD , Department of Cardiac Surgery Research, Inova Heart & Vascular Institute, Falls Church, VA
Niv Ad, MD , Department of Cardiac Surgery Research, Inova Heart & Vascular Institute, Falls Church, VA
One area of importance in longitudinal research is the management of the data. Techniques in managing repeated data elements and maintaining high data integrity will be addressed. Other topics such as the resources necessary and available to carry out a longitudinal study, the accessibility of the population to be studied, and the importance of maximizing the response rate to the surveys over time will be addressed. Maintaining a high response rate at the subsequent time points is vital to the success and reporting of the study results. Our institution began our present HRQL study in September 2005. To date, implementing our new design, we have enrolled over 600 patients who have undergone an open-heart cardiac procedure. Our overall response rate across all time points averages around 78%.

Learning Objectives:
#1: Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to list and discuss the essential elements involved in designing and implementing an intensive longitudinal study that combines clinical and health survey data. #2: Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to discuss the challenges and limitations in data collection and management of a longitudinal study that combines clinical and health survey data. #3: Upon completion of this course, the participant will demonstrate an understanding of the processes necessary to develop and implement a survey based longitudinal study.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: An Introduction to the Development and Implementation of a Longitudinal Health Survey: The ABCs
See more of: APHA-Learning Institute (APHA-LI)