seurantajakso

Seurantajakso is a Finnish term used in administrative, clinical, and research contexts to denote a fixed interval during which the status, outcomes, or effects of a prior action are observed and recorded. The period begins with a defined event or start of a program and ends when data collection and evaluation are completed or when follow-up obligations lapse. The concept emphasizes ongoing observation rather than a one-off assessment.

Usage and contexts

In health care and rehabilitation, a seurantajakso may follow an initial treatment or intervention to monitor symptoms, side effects, or recovery progress. In social services and unemployment benefits, it can designate the time during which recipients' adherence to program requirements and outcomes are tracked to determine continued eligibility or to assess effectiveness. In research and program evaluation, it refers to the follow-up phase in cohort studies or project evaluations, during which outcomes of interest are measured.

Characteristics

It has a defined duration, often specified by law, regulation, contract, or study protocol. It may be extendable if necessary. Data collection, reporting, and analysis are conducted within this period. Privacy, consent, and data protection considerations apply. The results of a seurantajakso can influence decisions about continuation, modification, or termination of services, funding, or further research.

See also

Follow-up period, monitoring, evaluation, data collection.