Healthcare research institutes face increasing competition for limited grant funding. Advanced technology solutions provide a critical edge in securing these grants. This blog post outlines how organizations are maximizing research grants with strategic technology solutions to enhance research capabilities and strengthen grant applications.
Critical areas
Data Visualizations
When presenting research data sets to the web, data visualizations and interactive dashboards should replace static graphs and basic charts. Obviously, static charts are required for PDF or any offline reporting that is done.
Using R powers advanced statistical analysis and is fantastic for data processing, but it’s not super friendly for the web. Dynamic, interactive interfaces invite engagement and demonstrate a deep understanding of modern data practices. Using a framework like React or Angular in combination with HighCharts, Chart.js or other interactive charting libraries enable researchers to show datasets in an interactive manner. Being interactive not only gives the users more control over what they are viewing, but it allows you to display more complex findings in your data without overwhelming the end users.
API Development
Along with those data visualizations, robust APIs will enable seamless data flow and facilitate collaboration across the organization. It’s cumbersome and inefficient for statisticians to connect to a database, parse data and connect data sets each time they want to run models. Following REST principles will ensure maintainable and extensible endpoints that allow users to connect to data in a quarter of the time.
What does that mean? Imagine if you could have all your data centralized so that any properly authenticated user could access every data set at any given moment? That means you can spread your data sets across your entire organization through a single source repository where it’s always available without the need for IT staff to life a finger. By enabling researchers and statisticians easy access to the data, you can report on findings better and faster. Efficient back-end processing of complex data. Well-architected APIs position institutions for future growth and collaboration opportunities throughout their team as well as external partners.
Database Management
Optimize your SQL databases that handle large-scale datasets for efficient searching and delivery. Efficient querying techniques enable real-time data retrieval but a sub-optimal database or querying technique will be slow and could make the organization look out of sync or behind the competition. Good database designs balance performance with data integrity (good data vs bad data) and compliance requirements (HIPAA and patient specific data). Effective big data management instills confidence in the capacity to handle large-scale research projects securely.
Geospatial Analysis
Mapbox integration provides compelling geographical data visualizations. Custom map layers highlight specific data points for countries, states, counties and cities. Using spatial analysis can help researchers uncover health trends and disparities. Using location specific data visualization capabilities, you open doors to unique research opportunities and collaborations with other organizations or companies.
Case Study: Transplant Centers Interactive Report
Here’s a specific challenge we helped a research organization overcome: A healthcare research institute needed to present complex transplant data in an accessible, interactive format for multiple stakeholders, including grant reviewers, doctors, clinicians, and policymakers.
Our solution was the development of a comprehensive interactive report that uses the above mentioned technologies to deliver insights and complex data visualizations to the end stakeholders and users.
Key Features:
- Interactive graphs and charts for intuitive data exploration
- R-powered datasets for sophisticated statistical analysis
- Optimized SQL Server queries for efficient data retrieval
- Mapbox integration for geographical representation of transplant activities
- React components for a responsive and dynamic user interface
Results:
- First ever interactive report of data only previously available in PDF format
- Increase in stakeholder interaction with transplant data
- Improvement in data comprehension among non-technical audiences
- Successful follow up grant applications, citing advanced data visualization capabilities as a key factor
The landscape of medical research funding is evolving rapidly, with technology playing a central role. Institutions that fail to utilize technology strategies and solutions could become invisible or less attractive to major funding bodies. Modernizing the IT infrastructure is not just about getting new grants—it fundamentally enhances research capabilities, accelerates discoveries, and improves patient outcomes.
Strategic technology investments directly impact an institute’s ability to secure funding and their leading edge. The future of medical research hinges on the alignment of cutting-edge science with advanced technological capabilities.
Strategic Action Steps
The strategies outlined in this blog post offer a clear pathway to enhancing your organization’s capabilities and potential. However, translating these insights into actionable steps is crucial and can be overwhelming for teams now familiar with what is involved. The following action items provide a structured approach to implementing these technological advancements in your organization.
By following these steps, can systematically upgrade your research infrastructure, positioning itself at the forefront of data analysis and grant competitiveness. Each action item is designed to build upon the last, creating a comprehensive transformation of your technological capabilities.
- Conduct a comprehensive technology audit of your research infrastructure.
- Identify critical areas for technological enhancement in your grant application process.
- Develop a tailored roadmap for implementing advanced data management and visualization tools.
- Allocate resources for staff training on new technologies and data practices.
- Partner with experienced healthcare IT consultants to accelerate your technological transformation.
Don’t let outdated technology hinder your research potential. Contact our team to schedule a strategic consultation and take the first step towards maximizing technology strategy.