Research Outcomes in Children's Surgery (ROCS)

• IRB submission
• Multi-site IRB
• PRMS submission (cancer center)
• Research Agreements (data sharing, data transfer)
• REDCap build (database, survey)

• Data abstraction
• Patient study enrollment support
• Qualitative interviews with study participants
• Epic/OnCore documentation 

• Assistance setting up and administering participant stipend requests
• Assistance in ordering research supplies
• Provide reference materials/ instructions (regulatory requirements, translation services, etc)
• Can refer out to other research groups depending on needs (RI, Compass, EPIC)

• Sample size calculation
• Analysis plan and protocol development
• Big data analysis (PHIS, TQIP)
• Retrospective data consulting
• Prospective data consulting
• Database structure and review (REDCap, data format)
• Randomization schedules
• Clinical trial and general study design
• Abstract and poster development
• Manuscript and grant preparation

• Study design
• Study protocol development
• Aims and hypothesis
• Recruitment approaches including appropriate inclusion and exclusion
• Developing a research program
• Creating a game plan for submitting grant proposals
• Develop conceptual models to guide data collection including appropriate outcomes measures 

In August 2023, ROCS conducted our 5th annual research bootcamp with three virtual sessions, designed for new researchers and trainees. The series provides an overview of key phases of research, didactic content including best practices, and opportunities for interactive engagement of material. The presenters also shared lessons learned and available resources across campus.

You can find more info of these sessions here:

• Data Preparation for your Biostatistician (PDF)
  
• Conducting Research 101 (PDF)
• Data Collection Practices (PDF)
• Building a Manuscript (PDF)
• Designing a Presentation (PDF)

The 2024 virtual Bootcamp will be held over three dates TBD in August 2024.

Please contact Claudia Mata at Claudia.Mata@childrenscolorado.org for access to the full presentation video files from previous years.

*SAVE THE DATE*
The Center for Children’s Surgery’s 7th Annual Research Symposium is scheduled to be held Friday, February 16, 2024 from 8:30-3:30 PM in-person in Mt. Yale/Mt. Princeton.

The symposium will highlight and celebrate the excellent work conducted by faculty, trainees, and research staff within the CCS. This event will include research presentations, a poster session, and panel sessions related to pediatric surgical care in the areas of Basic Science, Translational Science, Outcomes/Health Services, Multidisciplinary Team Science, and Quality Improvement. RSVPs will be required.

Please contact Samantha Wilson at samantha.wilson@cuanschutz.edu with questions.

Under the leadership of Dr. Jill Kaar, Director of Outcomes Research, the CCS hosts a monthly work in progress (WIP) meeting for interested CCS faculty from 9-10AM the 2nd Friday of each month.

During each meeting, attendees present their research ideas, projects, proposals, manuscripts and more to the group for feedback. We have a blend of experience from assistant, associate, to full professors.

Dr. Kaar is very excited to connect faculty across various areas of expertise and build more excitement for conducting research within the CCS community.

Please contact Dr. Kaar with questions jill.kaar@cuanschutz.edu.

ROCS has established a virtual collaborative space for all clinical research coordinators within CCS departments and divisions. The forum meets every fourth Tuesday of the month from 10-11AM.

During these meetings we work with coordinators to navigate existing or new research processes at both CHCO and CU as well as provide a platform for coordinators to share new information or tips/tricks they have developed on their own.

Our primary objective with this forum is to establish a community across all CCS coordinators and centralize information dissemination and processes.

Please contact Dr. Kaar with questions or if you would like to be added to the meeting jill.kaar@cuanschutz.edu.

ROCS now has a research coordinator available to assist with study operations. Areas of support include: data abstraction, patient study enrollment support, qualitative interviews with study participants and Epic/OnCore documentation. This support is meant to supplement current research staff within Divisions/Departments (not replace) and to assist those faculty with no research coordinator support.  

Requests for support must be submitted via the intake process and will be reviewed for approval and assignment on a rolling basis. We will do our best to accommodate as many requests, across as many units as possible. 

• Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) dataset
  • Comparative pediatric database comprised of 49 pediatric hospitals nationwide
  • Patient abstract, diagnoses (ICD-9/10), procedures, billed transactions, utilization
• Benefits of PHIS
  • Clinical and resource utilization for inpatient, ambulatory surgery, emergency department, and observation unit patient encounter
  • Good source for gathering preliminary data using CHCO’s own operational data or comparing nationwide data
• Other Big Data available
  • Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID), Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP), Trauma Quality Program (TQP), National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)