The Data and Resources Core has dual missions:
- To develop and share resources and provide supports that will advance research on deprescribing, and
- To spearhead initiatives to develop new science and consensus projects around measurement and data
In the beginning years of the network, we will be developing and disseminating resources that will be valuable to investigators conducting deprescribing research, and providing targeted consultations to investigators.
A Repository of IRB and DSMB Materials for Deprescribing Studies
Deprescribing studies may encounter some unique challenges related to human subjects protections and plans for safety monitoring. Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) may have questions about potential risks to patients, and researchers and IRBs may question which safety outcomes should be monitored. To help researchers navigate these challenges, we have gathered materials to share from several ongoing deprescribing studies, to serve as resources for the larger research community.
The materials available here include: portions of grant applications addressing Human Subjects issues; study consent forms; portions of IRB applications; examples of Data Safety & Monitoring Plans (DSMPs); and examples of reports you might provide to your Data Safety and Monitoring Board (DSMB). While there is no single right way to construct IRB applications, DSMPs, or related documents, these examples show how some thoughtful investigators have navigated these issues successfully in their own research.
Literature Search Strategy Guidance
The field of deprescribing has evolved over the past thirty years, and investigators conducting deprescribing research need to know what other studies are in their area to gain insights, facilitate collaborations, harmonize measures across studies, and to avoid duplication of efforts. To further support these efforts, we have developed a literature search strategy guidance tool that can use broad and narrow search parameters tailored to an investigator’s purpose for the literature search.
Consultation Services
Ongoing mentorship is essential for junior investigators. However, sometimes both junior and senior investigators can benefit greatly from a targeted conversation with a content expert. Therefore, we have established a one-on-one consulting service.
A Repository of Measures Relevant to Older Adults
Our network is focusing on measures particularly relevant to deprescribing. The Older Americans Independence Centers (OAIC) Geriatric Research Instrument Library (GRIL) has been working hard to develop a repository of measures that are applicable to older adults in general many of which will be useful to investigators doing deprescribing research.
Geriatric Research Algorithms & Statistical Programs (GRASP)
The Older Americans Independence Centers (OAIC) GRASP provides a list of statistical analysis programs useful for biostatisticians studying aging.
A comprehensive database of completed and ongoing studies
Investigators conducting deprescribing research need to know what other studies are in their area to avoid duplication of efforts, facilitate collaborations, gain insights, and harmonize measures across studies.Have you been part of a completed or ongoing deprescribing study? Please sign up here so that we can email you to learn more about your study as the Core’s work progresses.
