Research and Data Analysis Core

PROJECT ABSTRACT: RESEARCH AND DATA ANALYSIS CORE The primary objective of the Research Data and Analysis Core (RDAC) is to support the Dartmouth Learning Health System (LHS) Embedded Scientist Training and Research (E-STaR) Center and LHS scientists in conducting patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) and comparative effectiveness research (CER), and in disseminating and implementing PCOR/CER evidence within the LHS. The ability to efficiently achieve this objective builds on an existing system of interconnected institutional resources and our cumulative experience within the Dartmouth Health (DH) LHS. These include a variety of centers and cores across Dartmouth College and DH supporting research design, study coordination, informatics and analytic methods, as well as dissemination and implementation of research findings at DH and other health systems. The RDAC includes a skilled team of experts who will harness the resources of DC and DH to (a) support the design and conduct of PCOR/CER, (b) share knowledge gained from PCOR/CER projects, and (c) provide targeted support to implement findings into routine practice. The specific aims of the RDAC are: Aim 1: To support the development of embedded LHS scientists in conducting PCOR/CER projects according to existing guidelines and standards by providing expertise in: (a) design for observational, interventional, implementation, and qualitative studies; and (b) statistical and biomedical informatics, including the development of novel methods addressing specific PCOR/CER issues identified within the supported projects. Aim 2: For embedded LHS scientists’ PCOR/CER projects, to provide access to administrative claims data from Medicare, Medicaid, and internal and external healthcare registries; as well as primary data collection processes; and to develop embedded electronic health record (EHR) research tools and interventions, including decision support analytics and visualization tools for use by patients and providers. Aim 3: To facilitate the implementation of effective practices identified into routine care pathways and clinical practice within and beyond the DH LHS, by: (a) supporting high quality peer-reviewed scientific publications, (b) creating a curated repository of E-STaR projects to identify and catalogue scientific findings alongside implementation barriers and facilitators, and (c) providing coaching and support in improvement and implementation methods to enable integration into DH LHS clinical pathways. By specifically supporting the design, conduct, analysis, dissemination, and implementation of their research, the RDAC will provide essential contributions to the development of LHS scientists, their PCOR/CER and the DH LHS.