followup

Follow-up, also written as follow-up or followup, denotes actions taken after an initial event to monitor results, obtain additional information, or complete an outcome. The term spans multiple domains and can function as a noun or a verb.

In medicine, a follow-up appointment or procedure is scheduled after a patient encounter to assess recovery, monitor treatment efficacy, detect complications, or plan further care. In research and clinical trials, a follow-up study collects data after the initial study period to evaluate longer-term effects, durability of results, or natural progression.

In business and service contexts, follow-up refers to communications or actions intended to maintain engagement with customers or prospects, verify satisfaction, renew subscriptions, or finalize a sale. In journalism, a follow-up question or interview seeks to deepen coverage after an initial report.

In project management and operations, follow-ups are tasks or reminders to ensure items on a plan are completed, decisions recorded, and stakeholders informed. Common methods include scheduled reminders, emails, phone calls, and CRM workflow automation.

Best practices include defining clear objectives for each follow-up, setting a timeframe, ensuring relevance and consent, and tracking outcomes with metrics such as response rates, completion rates, or time-to-resolution. Challenges include contact difficulties and privacy considerations.