Layton Tanya, Eramudugolla Ranmalee, Sinclair Craig, Gad Imogen, Mortby Moyra E, Anstey Kaarin J
School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia.
Arch Public Health. 2025 Jun 16;83(1):156. doi: 10.1186/s13690-025-01646-9.
At the outbreak of the pandemic in Australia, which directly followed unprecedented bushfires, the PATH Through Life Study had just commenced data collection of its 5th wave for the 40s age cohort. Continuation of fieldwork required dynamic transition from an in-person structured assessment protocol, to remote assessment methods with adaptation of established measures. We aim to describe the methods used to adapt the longitudinal study to these events, and the implications of data collection methodology for analysis. Reflections on these experiences are essential for transparent reporting of protocol change, and for informing future study design.
Evaluation of the data collection process for the fifth follow-up assessment of the PATH Through Life Study, a population-based cohort of Australians aged 58-64 years (n = 2530). Evaluation metrics include response rates for interviews done in-person and remotely, observations from data collection modifications, and participant feedback. Additional online survey items measuring the impact of exposure to bushfires and COVID-19 were developed and deployed as part of the study.
Of 2147 contacted for follow-up, 1558 participants completed wave 5 (data collection commenced September 2019). By November 2019 (onset of the bushfires), 585 (37%) participants had completed face-to-face interviews and by March 2020, a further 1057 (68%) participants had completed their interviews at the onset of government restrictions relating to COVID-19. The shift to remote assessments resulted in 30% of assessments being completed by telephone. Challenges of the data protocol approach are discussed including the impact of multiple data collection pathways on analysis, and limitations of telephone interviews. Participant completion rates for the additional bushfire and COVID-19 surveys for the wave were 60% and 69% respectively; anecdotal participant feedback was positive regarding the inclusion of these measures.
Dynamic capture of exposure to unexpected events within the context of an established longitudinal study requires rapid design and protocol adaptations, and careful documentation of participation timing and pathways. Given the heightened public interest, participant response was encouraging, and the data captured not only enhances the value of the whole dataset, but is uniquely placed to address questions on population-level vulnerabilities and ongoing impacts of the exposures.
在澳大利亚疫情爆发之前，该国刚刚经历了前所未有的丛林大火。“人生之路研究”（PATH Through Life Study）刚刚开始收集其针对40多岁年龄组的第五轮数据。继续进行实地调查需要从面对面的结构化评估方案动态过渡到采用既定测量方法的远程评估方法。我们旨在描述为使纵向研究适应这些事件所采用的方法，以及数据收集方法对分析的影响。对这些经历进行反思对于透明报告方案变更以及为未来研究设计提供参考至关重要。
对“人生之路研究”中58 - 64岁澳大利亚人群队列（n = 2530）的第五次随访评估的数据收集过程进行评估。评估指标包括面对面访谈和远程访谈的回复率、数据收集修改的观察结果以及参与者反馈。作为研究的一部分，还开发并部署了额外的在线调查项目，以测量丛林大火和新冠疫情暴露的影响。
在2147名被联系进行随访的人中，1558名参与者完成了第五轮调查（数据收集于2019年9月开始）。到2019年11月（丛林大火爆发时），585名（37%）参与者完成了面对面访谈；到2020年3月，在与新冠疫情相关的政府限制措施开始实施时，又有1057名（68%）参与者完成了访谈。向远程评估的转变导致30%的评估通过电话完成。讨论了数据协议方法的挑战，包括多种数据收集途径对分析的影响以及电话访谈的局限性。该轮额外的丛林大火和新冠疫情调查的参与者完成率分别为60%和69%；参与者对纳入这些措施的反馈是积极的。
在既定的纵向研究背景下动态捕捉意外事件的暴露情况需要快速设计和调整方案，并仔细记录参与时间和途径。鉴于公众关注度的提高，参与者的回应令人鼓舞，所收集的数据不仅提升了整个数据集的价值，而且特别适合解决关于人群层面脆弱性以及暴露的持续影响的问题。
