This NIH-funded project is focused on creating free resources to assist investigators conducting longitudinal clinical research studies. There are many resources available through the project’s website (www.improveLTO.com) in the following areas:
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a database of common patient-reported and performance-based outcome measures for evaluating physical, cognitive, mental health, and quality of life, along with standardized information about these outcome measures;
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adaptable tools, templates, and manuals to reduce loss to follow-up of research participants, including an interactive searchable database of >600 retention strategies; and
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a statistical tool to address the “competing risk of mortality” when evaluating functional outcomes.