The following memo was sent to all SMPH faculty on Tuesday, June 21. It is being shared here for viewing by all SMPH employees, including staff, learners and faculty.
Dear colleagues,
We want to update you on new informatics and IT initiatives at SMPH. These are designed to facilitate real world data centric research, enhance collaboration, and improve operational efficiencies on a school-wide scale.
The Wisconsin Real World Data Collaborative
The Wisconsin Real World Data Collaborative (RWDC) will consolidate vast amounts of real-world data from across Wisconsin into one easily accessible and compliant system. When fully built, the repository will include clinical data, biospecimens, data from state and federal agencies, and environmental data to provide a comprehensive view of Wisconsin’s health and tackle health issues in the state.
Purpose-driven compute capacity for research
Several new computing environments will significantly expand our research capacity involving HIPAA and non-HIPAA data.
1. Platform X
Platform X (for HIPAA data) is a new cloud-based data environment that supports HIPAA data access and analysis. Researchers can collect, store, and analyze data using desired tools in one place while meeting the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperate, reproducible) guidelines and the new data sharing guidelines from the NIH. This environment will also improve compliance and respect patient privacy. This cloud-based, fee-for-use computing is more economical for situations that do not need 24/7 compute and for launching small scale pilots. Access to Platform X is available to researchers as a fee-for-use service. (contact: platformX@med.wisc.edu)
2. Platform R
Platform R (for omics and imaging data): Over the next year we will create two hybrid environments that are both on-premises and scalable to the cloud. The first purpose-driven Platform R environment is under development and focuses on omics data analysis. It will contain common analysis tools and connect to Platform X for HIPAA data and for rapid scalability. The second environment will support imaging data and will be planned over FY24. (contact: platformR@med.wisc.edu)
These school-wide initiatives will eventually reduce the need for individual servers. Our data centers will undergo a standardization process in terms of computing and storage devices, and access policies will be updated to ensure efficient management of resources, provide effective support, and minimize risks.
Clinical trials recruitment and management
Over the past few years, we have implemented a suite of tools for clinical trials management. Starting July 1, the joint Informatics/Operations “Recruitment Team” will support clinical trials recruitment activities. Once a clinical trial is IRB-approved, the team will provide investigators with a preliminary list of potential candidate participants to recruit from. The team will also help facilitate recruitment using Epic MyChart for non-interventional studies, as well as Best Practice Advisories for difficult-to-recruit studies. Assistance for recruitment can be requested at data-driven-recruitment@med.wisc.edu.
Informatics and Information Technology Collaborative
The ongoing Informatics and IT Collaborative (IITC) project will unify the School of Medicine and Public Health’s common informatics and IT services, optimize the delivery of services, minimize risk, and enable greater service excellence across all departments, institutes, and centers. IITC will go live on July 1, 2023, with further changes and refinements occurring through 2025 and beyond. For more information, please visit go.wisc.edu/smphiitc.
FAQ about the IITC
Why are you doing this? Why is it needed?
The IITC will bring all IT staff together into cutting-edge core services lines housed in the SMPH Office of Informatics and Information Technology so we can create a thriving informatics and IT community who can accomplish more and serve more of our users better. This effort involves a series of thoughtful and transitional changes over a timeline that will result in a collaborative and connected team of informatics and IT staff organized into innovative service lines.
Who is in-scope for the Informatics and IT Collaborative?
Informatics and IT staff providing services to a department via its central informatics and IT team are in scope. These employees will report within the Office of Informatics and Information Technology effective July 1, 2023. Staff that report directly to investigators/labs will not be impacted at this time. In-scope staff have been engaged throughout the transition.
Will there be a reduction in IT staff?
The total number of informatics and IT staff will not be reduced. We are committed to collaborating with informatics and IT staff in a good faith effort to ensure everyone remains a part of our team.
How will you know and understand the needs of researchers? Will there be a reduction in user services?
The IITC will not be reducing or removing any current services provided to our researchers. There are a few ways that we will know and understand the needs of researchers, starting with a robust assessment platform where we are in active engagement with researchers to learn and understand their needs.
What if I am a non-IT staff member who does not heavily utilize informatics and IT services?
Your experience for services like desktop support will remain the same throughout this transition. You may begin to receive service from different individuals but the high quality of service will not change.
By unifying our informatics and IT talent, we can provide high-quality service while building additional school-wide capacity. This approach is a cornerstone in creating an environment of our SMPH community as we evolve into an innovative hub for data-driven discovery that advances clinical care.
Sincerely,
Jomol Mathew, PhD
Associate Dean for Informatics and Information Technology
Associate Professor, Population Health Sciences
School of Medicine and Public Health
Robert N. Golden, MD
Robert Turell Professor in Medical Leadership
Dean, School of Medicine and Public Health
Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs
University of Wisconsin–Madison