Regenstrief staff member discusses managing data at national conference for research professionals

Regenstrief Institute Research Manager Erin O’Kelly Phillips, MPH, presented on managing study data at the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) 2020 conference.  

SOCRA is the leading educational organization for clinical researchers in all areas. Thousands of research professionals attend the annual conference. This year it was held digitally, which provided the opportunity for attendance to many more participants.  

Phillips’ talk was titled “Managing Data Management: Lessons from a Large CMS Demonstration Project.” She played a major role in the groundbreaking OPTIMISTIC trial funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and conducted by Regenstrief and Indiana University School of Medicine. She helped manage data from multiple sources, including direct input from 40 nursing home facilities. She drew upon her experience to teach other research professionals about best practices for approaching data management in a large, complex project. 

The key takeaways she emphasized were: 

• Know your project stakeholders, from participants to data managers to faculty. 
• See yourself as a translator moving key information among different people on a diverse team. 
• Trust your research coordinator skillset.  

The 2020 SOCRA virtual conference was September 23-26. The four days of programming had eight different educational tracks. Phillips’ presentation was on the advanced management track.  

About Regenstrief Institute   

Founded in 1969 in Indianapolis, the Regenstrief Institute is a local, national and global leader dedicated to a world where better information empowers people to end disease and realize true health. A key research partner to Indiana University, Regenstrief and its research scientists are responsible for a growing number of major healthcare innovations and studies. Examples range from the development of global health information technology standards that enable the use and interoperability of electronic health records to improving patient-physician communications, to creating models of care that inform practice and improve the lives of patients around the globe.  

Sam Regenstrief, a nationally successful entrepreneur from Connersville, Indiana, founded the institute with the goal of making healthcare more efficient and accessible for everyone. His vision continues to guide the institute’s research mission.