EDGE Clinical Research
The Clinical Informatics Research Unit
The Clinical Informatics Research Unit (CIRU) is an applied research and enterprise unit within the University of Southampton Medical School, its core aim and vision is to transform clinical research and practices through novel approaches to information and software management – delivering healthcare innovation through informatics.
The CIRUs most significant research undertaking to date is EDGE. Approximately 15 years ago Professor James Batchelor, Director of the CIRU, developed EDGE, a Local Portfolio Management System (LPMS) and associated services for use within UK clinical research on a software as a service (SaaS) model. Using purpose-built software, EDGE not only fulfils the role of a traditional Clinical Trials Management System (CTMS), but brings research teams together into a transformative, collaborative workspace to share best practice skills. Its ultimate aim is to unify clinical research teams nationally and internationally in order to influence and improve routine clinical care, and thereby enable a better quality of life for patients.
The EDGE programme has 3 core elements: the software, the collaborative environment for sharing of ideas and best practice and the principle of entering the right data once.
In keeping with our NHS and academic background, coupled with input from the EDGE community, 80% of the regions in England adopt EDGE for the management of their clinical trial portfolios. EDGE is also being adopted into the national health research systems within the devolved nations of the UK, as well as throughout Canada, with further partnerships emerging and evolving in Asia and Europe.
James is also a Committee member and advisor to the Republic of Ireland e-Health Programme, as well as being involved in the development of clinical research standards with the University of Cologne. James has worked in this area of research for over 15 years and is well-known within the research community, both in the United Kingdom and overseas, for his no-nonsense and practical solutions to clinical informatics.
The CIRU also has growing links with other university/hospital based groups outside of the UK, offering opportunities for collaboration with the wider healthcare communities. The benefits from international collaborations in the area of standardisation/data interoperability are considerable from an impact perspective. The CIRU acts as a vehicle through which researchers can collaborate more effectively and share IPR and ideas which will help drive standards, reduce data re-entry and promote collaboration.
The CIRU is also looking at clinical and patient-focused systems and the use of adaptive user interface (UI) and user experience (UX), taking a strong consultative and collaborative approach with the NHS and clinical teams. In this context, the CIRU acts as the hub for clinical innovation involving the NHS, University and the wider commercial sector, and recently the CIRU has successfully developed healthcare focussed apps for use in the clinical setting.
With over 24,000 students, 6500 staff, and an annual turnover in excess of £550m, the University of Southampton is acknowledged as one of the country’s top institutions for medicine, engineering and computer science.
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