In July, the Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP) Data Management Team took a significant step forward by participating in an intensive four-day training session on the DFdiscover Clinical Data Management System (CDMS). This training, conducted by experts Michael Holdsworth and Telsa de Lange from the Office of Cyber Infrastructure and Computational Biology (OCICB) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), aimed to enhance the team's capabilities in handling clinical data with greater efficiency and precision.
DFdiscover is an advanced and agile CDMS that supports the collection of data from multiple sources, including Electronic Data Capture (EDC) and traditional paper methods. The system’s versatility promises to revolutionize the daily operations of the RHSP Data Management Team, enabling them to collect, verify, and analyze clinical data with enhanced flexibility, quality, and speed.
One of the highlights of the training was the introduction of DFcollect, a powerful mobile data collection tool that is an integral part of the DFdiscover ecosystem. The team learned how to develop mobile data collection solutions using DFcollect, a skill that will be particularly valuable in streamlining data collection processes across various field settings. This capability is expected to greatly improve the team's efficiency, especially in remote areas where traditional data collection methods can be challenging.
In addition to mastering the DFcollect tool, the training sessions included a comprehensive review of Data Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Good Clinical Data Management Practices. This review ensures that the RHSP Data Management Team adheres to the highest industry standards, maintaining the integrity and reliability of the data they manage.
This training marks a pivotal moment for the RHSP Data Management Team. Equipped with the latest tools and knowledge, the team is now better positioned to manage clinical data with greater effectiveness, ultimately contributing to the success of RHSP’s ongoing research and program delivery efforts.
We are excited to witness the positive impact these new skills and systems will have on our work. Stay tuned for more updates on our progress as we continue to advance our data management capabilities.