Data and Information Management Systems (DIMS) Project

This project aimed to review the current data systems of CTUs and produce options for future development. It was managed by the NIHR Information Systems team working closely with the Registered CTUs and has involved a high level of collaborative working from the 40 registered CTUs.

The project made a series of recommendations contained in four white papers. These included:

  • Development of a number of functional and operational standards for trials unit information systems  
  • Adoption or co-development of data standards to support inter-operability and data-sharing
  • Development and maintenance of tools and organisation structures to support the introduction of operational and data standards
The DIMS white papers are available in the "Useful Links" section on this page.

Standardisation has the potential to deliver considerable cost savings for all funders in terms of CTU data systems development. Delivery of the recommendations from the initial report for this project will be taken forward under the proposed Standards and Information Systems (SIMS) Programme for CTUs and will require leadership from IS partners in collaboration with the Registered CTUs.

Further information is available from the NIHR IS team at crncc.info@nihr.ac.uk.

©2005 United Kingdom Clinical Research Collaboration.