Implementing new tool during the pandemic distance work - case REDCap
Creators: name: Larmo, Katri
name: Heino, Tiina
name: Hepolehto, Iina
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2022
Subjects: REDCap
research data
libraries
co-operation

description: <strong>Abstract</strong> <strong>Introduction:</strong> REDCap is a tool for capturing research data, also sensitive and personal data. It was created in 2004 at Vanderbilt University (USA) and is now widely used all over the world. University of Helsinki got REDCap license in 2020 and the tool was launched for customer use in 2021. <strong>Aim:</strong> We describe the process of learning REDCap and starting the user education, all this during the pandemic distance work. How to communicate effectively, learn both together and independently, keep up the good spirit and sense of community and work intensively, with still enough time to breath and rest? The focus is on the individual information specialist point of view. <strong>Program Description:</strong> The initial REDCap admin team included 5 persons; 3 from the library and 2 from the IT-center. The system is owned by the library. REDCap was licensed in 2020 and launched to customers in 2021. The user support started with information campaign, webinar sessions and establishing REDCap-support-email. The first webinars were given from the survey data point of view, with good feedback. However, we soon discovered the need for webinars specializing to the clinical research data point of view. It was decided that Terkko information specialist gives these webinars, with the support of research data team members. This started intensive learning – both for the REDCap tool and for deeper understanding of the clinical research process. In October 2021, the first two webinars of “REDCap – clinical data” were given and since that we have collectively supported the customers with their REDCap projects. One of the Terkko information specialists is now on the admin team of REDCap. <strong>Evaluation:</strong> From the individual information specialist point of view, the key things to make this happen were: 1) Great support from colleagues and learning together 2) Strong motivation: we were very happy to get REDCap available for our customers. 3) Deadlines: “test webinar” given to colleagues, right after the summer holidays, gave good structure for working 4) Very generous sharing of information also form other organizations; e.g. an experienced REDCap-user and biostatistician from the University of Turku giving us a “private” webinar session 5) Active utilization of excellent REDCap webinars from YouTube – thanks to the distance work there were lot of good webinars available 6) Change to make stupid questions 7) Aiming to “growth mindset” (see Dr. Carol Dweck) 8) Customers’ questions and real life cases 9) Problem solving together with good colleagues and customers. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> When implementing new services, especially in exceptional times such as the covid pandemic and total distance working, it is crucial to have the good and continuous communication with colleagues, a strong sense of community and motivation. <strong>Human Touch:</strong> With this presentation we would like to invite EAHIL colleagues to this discussion – both about the practicalities of REDCap and creating a good supportive atmosphere that carries us through to the “new normal”.