Table 1. Follow-up and censoring
Patient 1Patient 2
Index date (DD/MM/YYYY)01/02/201301/02/2013
Last date of follow-up31/01/201731/01/2017
CensoredNoYes
Censoring dateN/A31/01/2015
Effective follow-up4 years2 years
  • The table illustrates the outcomes computed for two fictional patients with the same index date, one of whom was censored (because they died) during the follow-up period. Outcomes (number of visits, continuity of care) are counted over the full follow-up period for both patients, but the effective follow up is shorter for patient 2 because she is only observed for 2 years after the index date.