57 Implementation of an analytic resource navigation process at an Academic Medical Center

Abstract

Objectives/Goals: In 2018, a novel analytic resource navigation process was developed at Duke University to connect potential collaborators, leverage resources, and foster a community of quantitative researchers and scientists. We provide information about how this process works along with guidance for academic medical centers to develop similar initiatives. Methods/Study Population: Quantitative and qualitative scientists with expertise in data science, biostatistics, epidemiology, and related fields play a critical role in data collection, study design, analysis, interpretation, and implementation. The analytic resource navigation process connects researchers with quantitative scientists and relies on strong institutional knowledge of methodological expertise, understanding of research goals, educating researchers, and ongoing evaluation to understand unmet needs. University staff serve as navigators to help researchers identify the needed expertise, find potential collaborators, and track outcomes. Duke University’s tracking system for this navigation process, implemented in 2019, underwent a nearly five-year evaluation (November 2019 – September 2024). Results/Anticipated Results: In the nearly five-year evaluation of the process, 1247 requests from 813 unique researchers were navigated with a success rate of 93.8%. A total of 323 requests (256 unique researchers) were navigated in year 1, 285 requests (239 unique researchers) in year 2, 210 requests (179 unique researchers) in year 3, and 247 requests (192 unique researchers) in year 4. In the current year (partial year 5, 11/1/2023 – 9/18/2024), 182 requests have been navigated (159 unique researchers). Unsuccessful linkages occurred in 35 requests (2.8%) and 42 requests (3.4%) were withdrawn. Among the cases of unsuccessful navigation, 26 failed due to effort (e.g., insufficient effort available to meet the researcher’s deadline), 2 failed due to lack of expertise at the institution, and 4 failed due to a lack of sufficient funding. Discussion/Significance of Impact: The navigation process provides a critical resource for researchers who need to develop collaborations and a method for institutions to understand collaboration needs. Implementation requires training knowledgeable navigators, maintaining updated information about quantitative and qualitative methodologists, and institutional support.