Emulation exposure and follow-up

Track strategy adherence and censoring

Specify initiation versus sustained strategies and handling of deviations. Censoring at treatment change can introduce selection, and adjustment needs measured predictors and support. Preserve competing-event definitions.

Flow diagram

Emulation exposure and follow-upF1.S1Define strategy adherenceF1.S2Construct follow-up windowsF1.S3Identify deviations and censoringF1.S4Specify censoring adjustmentF1.S5Document usable follow-upF1.N1Follow-up specificationEventDefinitionTime anchorCensoring ruleAdjustmentStrategydeviationOutcomeCompeting eventLoss tofollow-upF1.N2Assumptions and rationaleF1.N3Method and protocol evidenceF1.S0 Start flowEmulation exposure and follow-upF1.S999 End flowEnd flow

Steps

Define strategy adherence

Translate sustained or baseline strategies into observable exposure rules.

Construct follow-up windows

Specify observation end, outcome timing and competing events.

Identify deviations and censoring

Separate administrative loss, strategy deviations and informative censoring.

Specify censoring adjustment

Use weighting or other methods only with a stated estimand and assumptions.

Document usable follow-up

Preserve timelines, measurement gaps and data availability limits.

Emulation exposure and follow-up

End flow

Tables and supporting information

Follow-up specification

Follow-up specificationEventDefinitionTime anchorCensoring ruleAdjustmentStrategydeviationOutcomeCompeting eventLoss tofollow-up

Keep events and estimand-specific handling explicit.

Assumptions and rationale

Censoring at deviation can induce selection; adjustment requires measured predictors and adequate support.

Method and protocol evidence

Attach the protocol, methodological sources and versioned software specification supporting these decisions. Record citations and provenance; do not enter participant identifiers.

Sources