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Health Services Research (HSR) Methods
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Retrospective Cohort Study
Synonyms: Historical Cohort

Most cohort studies are prospective; however, cohort studies that have reconstructed exposure data from historical records are referred to as retrospective cohort studies. In these studies, exposure and outcome data are followed up without actually following cases, which can result in considerable savings of time and money.

Further Reading
Gordis, L. 2000. Epidemiology, 2nd ed., Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Science.

Last, J. 1983. A Dictionary of Epidemiology, New York, NY: Oxford Medical Publications.