RT Journal
A1 SMITH, J. SCOTT
A1 WATTS, HUGH G.
T1 Current Concepts Review - Methods for Locating Missing Patients for the Purpose of Long-Term Clinical Studies*
JF The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
JO The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
YR 1998
FD March 1
VO 80
IS 3
SP 431
OP 8
DO 
UL http://dx.doi.org/
AB 
    Long-term follow-up studies are essential in the evaluation of the results of medical care. Unanticipated side effects and early promising results that deteriorate with time are not uncommon findings in the evaluation of newly developed medical treatments. In addition, changes in the health-care system are exerting pressure on health-care providers to contain the cost of medical services. In an effort to be more cost-effective, hospitals and physicians are incorporating cost data into the medical decision-making process. The decision to select one treatment instead of another may be made on the basis of the relative costs involved, particularly over the short term. The effect that these economic factors have on the medical outcome may not be known until long-term follow-up studies have been completed.