Utilising readily available software tools for business and data management within a Medical Research Institute
Rachel Caldwell1 1Research Services – Ingham Institute For Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia2University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia
Abstract
Medical Research Institutes (MRIs) are heavily reliant on philanthropic donations to support important medical research. It can be difficult to have the expertise, and/or the resources to build and maintain sustainable, accessible software tools to support the researchers and support staff. The end goal was to provide and develop reliable, and centralised software solutions and business processes that would alleviate the pressure of high demand administrative tasks and data security risks.
Available software tools such as Microsoft© 365 and REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture), which are available at many higher education organisations and NSW Health, allows for such solutions to be developed. The Institute developed several inhouse solutions using these tools.
Solutions included a REDCap grant database for the institutes grants capture, management, and reporting; as well as utilising Microsoft© 365 tools such as Power Apps for data collection, reporting and automated workflows.
An example included creating a Microsoft Power App which was created to collect and distribute researcher bio profiles to the Institute’s external facing website. The App was an easily accessible, simple editable form that the researchers could use to submit a new or updated profile. Reminders, before the draft due date, and a biannual reminder, as well as approval automations were created. The application replaced manual data collections via emails and word templates.
Utilising Microsoft© 365 tools and REDCap has improved the efficiency of several high demand administrative processes and tasks. In addition, providing solutions for vital reporting to both internal and external stakeholders.
Biography
Rachel joined the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research in 2022 as part of the Research Services team. Her experience includes over 20 years of IT support / development, and project management across the university, science, and medical research sectors. Rachel’s role is responsible for the development, coordination, and delivery of reliable, database management systems, providing research support to the Institute’s multi-disciplinary research centres. She holds a PhD in Bioinformatics.