Which statement best describes active follow-up versus passive follow-up in registry data collection?

Which statement best describes active follow-up versus passive follow-up in registry data collection?

• A. Active follow-up involves proactive contact; passive relies on external data sources without direct contact
• B. Active follow-up relies on external data sources; passive involves direct contact
• C. Active follow-up uses only email
• D. Both are the same

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how follow-up data are obtained in a registry: whether the registry actively seeks out missing information or relies on information that arrives from other sources without direct outreach. Active follow-up means the registry takes initiative to contact patients, families, or providers to collect missing data—this can involve phone calls, mail, secure messages, or in-person visits. Passive follow-up relies on data provided by external sources or already existing records, without the registry making direct contact to obtain new information. Because this approach depends on proactive outreach, active follow-up generally yields higher data completeness and timeliness but requires more resources. The statement that active follow-up involves proactive contact and passive follow-up relies on external data sources without direct contact accurately captures the distinction. The other options either swap the definitions, limit active follow-up to a single method like email, or claim they are the same, which doesn’t fit how follow-up is actually carried out in registries.

The main idea here is how follow-up data are obtained in a registry: whether the registry actively seeks out missing information or relies on information that arrives from other sources without direct outreach. Active follow-up means the registry takes initiative to contact patients, families, or providers to collect missing data—this can involve phone calls, mail, secure messages, or in-person visits. Passive follow-up relies on data provided by external sources or already existing records, without the registry making direct contact to obtain new information. Because this approach depends on proactive outreach, active follow-up generally yields higher data completeness and timeliness but requires more resources. The statement that active follow-up involves proactive contact and passive follow-up relies on external data sources without direct contact accurately captures the distinction. The other options either swap the definitions, limit active follow-up to a single method like email, or claim they are the same, which doesn’t fit how follow-up is actually carried out in registries.