Which Solution is Right for my Project?
Data Management Solutions Comparison
The Medical College of Wisconsin currently offers three research data capture database development platforms, all of which are recommended over the more traditional choices of Excel, Filemaker and Access, since all three satisfy the HIPAA Privacy Rule requirements, while Excel, Filemaker and Access are much harder to use in a compliant fashion.
Clinical Research Informatics Data Management (CTRI-DM) is the application development platform of the Medical College of Wisconsin Translational Research Integrated Database Environment. It supports the design of custom research data capture systems and also offers integration with the Clinical Research Data Warehouse (CTRI-CRDW), which contains both current and historic clinical data from Froedtert. CTRI-DM research data management systems are custom-built by Clinical Research Informatics application developers in exchange for salary support to cover the time spent building the database. There is an annual maintenance fee. Learn more ›
REDCap was originally designed at Vanderbilt, and it is now used at more than 70 institutions worldwide. This is a self-service system, where the researcher defines the database fields either in a spreadsheet or with the help of user-friendly web tools. Once the database fields have been finalized, you can start entering data immediately. There is no annual maintenance fee, thanks to funding from the Medical College of Wisconsin CTSA. Learn more ›
Confluence Secure Research Wiki for Collaboration: A wiki is a dynamic website that can be easily edited by non-technical users through a web browser. CTSI provides HIPAA compliant, secure Wiki sites to researchers with the Confluence platform. Features include: Calendars, Task lists, Document Collaboration, and Discussion Groups. While this can be a great solution for storing meeting minutes, lists of patients, and other ‘documents’ in a safe and redundant manner, it has some limitations when it comes to storing research data. Learn more ›
The OnCore Clinical Trial Management System is an commercial product licensed for use at Medical College of Wisconsin, most frequently used in drug trials. Like REDCap, database design and modifications are done by the research team. The enterprise implementation of OnCore is managed by the Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Trials Office. Learn more ›
| Custom Solutions | REDCap | OnCore |
| Who can enter data | You must have an MCW ID, collaborators can be sponsored | Anyone, collaborators can be sponsored | Anyone, those from outside institutions can be issued and MCW ID |
| Multi-user | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Study size / complexity | Can be used for studies of all sizes. | Can be used for studies of all sizes | Can be used for studies of all sizes |
| HIPAA compliance | Can safely be used for both fully identified and anonymized studies | Can safely be used for both fully identified and anonymized studies | Can safely be used for both fully identified and anonymized studies |
| 21 CRF Part 11 compliance | N/A | N/A | OnCore is not 21CFR compliant. Forte's EDC product, Overture is. |
| Web enabled | Yes, this is a web application, and can be accessed from machines on the MCW network or on any network | Yes, this is a web application, and can be accessed from machines on any network | Yes, this is a web application, and can be accessed from machines on any network with proper credentials |
| Cost | Salary support charged for time spent customizing, plus a negotiable annual maintenance fee | Free | Please contact the Clinical Trials Office |
| Training | This is not self-service, training is provided on a project basis | In person with free consultation offered by the CTSI | Available through the Clinical Trials Office |
