I too, have used REDcap to track and accredit my CPD.
This study was published on October 31, 2024, in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science. It discusses how REDCap was effectively used to allow faculty to self-report course outcomes data for accreditation, highlighting an elevated level of user satisfaction compared to alternative data collection methods.
ABSTRACT of this study about REDCap
The Master of Science in Clinical Research Management program at Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences underwent significant restructuring aligned with the Clinical and Translational Science Award funding parameters. This evolution necessitated formal evaluation through accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The years-long accreditation process posed challenges, particularly regarding the collection of course learning outcomes data aligned with accreditation competency standards. The objective of this special communication is to report the rationale behind pursuing accreditation for clinical research degrees, the data collection challenges during the accreditation process, and a potential solution. In order to address existing university metric data gaps, Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) software was used to develop a data collection tool that streamlined the accreditation process and reduced the administrative burden. REDCap was effective in allowing faculty to self-report 3 years of course outcomes data for accreditation. There was an elevated level of user satisfaction compared to alternative data collection methods. A SWOT analysis identified the strengths and weaknesses of using REDCap, emphasizing strengths in functionality that include customizability, data validation, and compliance with regulatory standards. Overall, the advantages of leveraging REDCap for accreditation data collection, including customization, data security, and user-friendliness, outweigh the key disadvantage of REDCap, which is its limited reporting capabilities.
Take away message
Using REDCap for self-reporting course outcomes data in academic programs significantly enhances user satisfaction compared to alternative data collection methods. REDCap’s flexibility and ease of use make it an effective tool for accreditation processes in clinical research education.
Authors
Barbara Tafuto, MLS, PhD – Assistant Professor, Department of Health Informatics, Rutgers School of Health Professions, Newark, NJ, USA
Doreen W. Lechner, PhD – Assistant Professor, Department of Health Informatics, Rutgers School of Health Professions, Newark, NJ, USA