Box 3.

Important features of a research cohort study during any health emergency

• Risk identification and characterization of the disease in patients • Hypotheses generation with a potential to impact patient- and community-centered outcomes • Continual patient population assessment so that work to test hypotheses is best designed and fundamental processes are well framed and practiced • Flexibility to interact with clinical care and public health teams when the study could provide meaningful information, particularly in real time or near real time, including coordination with environmental sampling and testing • Potential to explore data, specimens, and the results of analysis over time, to include the potential for cooperative work with partners across stakeholder groups • Flexibility to adjust the schedule of events when exigencies such as when infection prevention and control posture or immediate patient interests require changes • Durable rather than fleeting investment of time and other resources, so that all are ready when new health emergencies present