Research often requires specialized information technology (IT) systems that vary from the standard clinical, office, or personal use cases. The Research Institute provides IT support catered to our research community – whether researchers require bespoke hardware, niche software solutions, or additional security measures for regulatory and compliance purposes – we are here to help. Our IT department works with researchers from the planning phase through to implementation and support.
Our core services include:
- Assessment and Procurement of Hardware and Software
- Data Transfer
- Training
- Data Management Support for Research Operations
REDCap
Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) is a secure web application for building and managing online surveys and databases. While REDCap can be used to collect virtually any type of data in any environment (including compliance with 21 CFR Part 11, FISMA, HIPAA, and GDPR), it is specifically geared to support online and offline data capture for research studies and operations. The software is free of charge and is currently in use by over 130 users at St. Joe’s.
REDCap allows researchers to build and manage online surveys and databases quickly and securely. It can be used to create case report forms, validate data entry in real-time, and export easily to Excel, PDF, and common statistical packages (SPSS, SAS, Stata, R).
Access to The Research Institute’s licensed REDCap platform is available to affiliated researchers and authorized staff members only. To request access to REDCap, please complete the REDCap Account Request Form.
The REDCap Users Group (RUG) is a recurring event series hosted by Doug Campbell. These sessions are open to all current and prospective REDCap users at St. Joe’s. RUG events are typically focused on a specific, pre-determined topic, such as new features, best practices, tips and tricks, etc.
Dovetale for Research
Dovetale – St. Joe’s implementation of the electronic digital health system Epic – can be used for research purposes by authorized personnel. The Research Institute offers Dovetale for Research training to researchers and staff.
The Research Institute offers monthly Dovetale for Research training sessions to researchers and staff. Before users can be scheduled for Dovetale training, they must have completed CITI GCP and CITI Privacy training modules.
Dovetale for Research training is only required if users will be performing research related activities on human subjects. For instance:
- Building research studies into the research module of Dovetale
- Using Access Research to generate a list of potential participants to contact which, once completed, will be available in Dovetale
- Adding participants to the Dovetale research study after contacting and consenting
- Scheduling participants for research visits in Dovetale
- Ordering tests (X-rays, MRIs, bloodwork, etc.) that will be paid from the research account associated with the study (not standard of care)
Please note that making entries into a participant's electronic chart outside of the research module is a clinical task. Research data should never be entered into the patient chart. Clinical access required for documentation is separate from the research training and modules.
For information regarding the next Dovetale for Research training session, and took book a seat, please contact Serena Lu-Beskrovnyi (slubeskr@stjoes.ca).
Other Software
The IT department may be able to provide assistance with procurement, general orientation, and resources for specific software platforms. Please contact Doug Campbell (dcampbel@stjoes.ca) for more information.
Questions?
Talk to one of our contacts for more information.
