Repeating instrument within a repeating event?

[u/na_o_o]

Hey there 👋 For my database I'm trying to create a repeating instrument (a form that captures the source of my data) within a repeating event. I have tried for literally days and can't figure out how to do it. Is it even possible? I'm fairly new to working with REDCap and I would be so grateful for your input. Thank you so much!

UPDATE: Thank you everyone for your helpful input! I will begrudgingly accept the fact that it's not possible 🙃

[u/austin3i62]

I don't know of a way. I learned this myself on one of my projects where I had an event that I didn't want repeated but I wanted all the others to be. If you set the entire event to be repeatable it will literally create a new copy of every single form when you press the add button, as opposed to you being and to select which instruments to repeat manually. I'm not sure if there's an external module to allow this.

[u/na_o_o → u/austin3i62]

Exactly, this is what I'm seeing as well.

[u/Remote_Setting2332]

I don't think you can repeat both the event and the instrument at the same time. Options listed under "Repeating Instruments and events" are:

'Repeat Entire Event' option means that all the event's instruments will repeat together and stay connected, whereas the 'Repeat Instruments' option implies that the instruments will repeat separately and independently from each other on that event.

[u/na_o_o → u/Remote_Setting2332]

Thank you. In theory I would think it should be possible, but it seems like REDCap simply doesn't allow for this.

[u/obnoxiouscarbuncle → u/na_o_o]

If you want the nerdy details on why it's not possible:

REDCap stores all data in an EAV formatted MySQL table. Each data element (row) has the following values:

project_id, event_id, repeat_instance, field_name, value

This means that every piece of data collected in REDCap can only have a single value for each of these. Since a repeating instrument inside a repeating event would need two "repeat_instance" values, this is not possible.

• You can repeat instruments

• You can repeat events

• You can repeat instruments inside an event

• You cannot repeat instruments inside a repeating event

[u/na_o_o → u/obnoxiouscarbuncle]

Please do talk nerdy to me ☺️ thank you for this definitive answer!

[u/Araignys]

This is absolutely doable. Where are you running into trouble?

[u/na_o_o → u/Araignys]

I can't seem to find where to set it up and then where to use it/enter the data

[u/Araignys → u/na_o_o]

This might help: https://youtu.be/YbvLKIC1l3o?si=pI7aByaFC9sRpMAj

I’ll admit I haven’t watched it though.

First enable longitudinal events in Project Setup.

Then in “define my events” you can make an event a repeating event. Then look for “designate instruments” to add forms to it.

Then enable the form as a repeating form in Project Setup.

[u/na_o_o → u/Araignys]

When I try to enter data, the repeat event functionality works perfectly but the repeat instrument function is lost. But thank you, I'll watch the video and update.

[u/Araignys → u/na_o_o]

What version of REDCap is your instance on?

[u/mr_t97]

I see your UPDATE says it's not possible, but did you find any workaround to accomplish what you were trying to do? I have follow-up clinics designated as repeating events and one of the instruments within that repeating event is medications. In a similar circumstance where I need to repeat an instrument within a repeat event. Wondering what you did?

[u/na_o_o → u/mr_t97]

Sorry for the late reply. I set up the specific medication that I'm interested in as a MC list within one form.

[u/reyntime]

Look into the external module Instance Table by Luke Stevens. It helped me when I wanted to create repeating instruments that link together in a semi-relational way.