ATHENA data collectors' review day at SHM

The first review day for our data collectors following the launch of our new data entry system, DataCapTree, took place on 11 October. The day consisted of various presentations on medical topics, as well as information about new components (protocols) in DataCapTree. 

The day was opened by a word of welcome from SHM’s deputy director, Sima Zaheri, followed by the first presentation of the day by Colette Smit, one of SHM’s researchers. Colette refreshed the data collectors’ knowledge on viral hepatitis and discussed hepatitis A and B vaccinations, and also provided additional information on how to interpret relevant laboratory results. 
Shula Grivell, who coordinates SHM’s helpdesk and helped to build DataCapTree, gave the second presentation on malignancies. In her presentation, Shula provided an overview of terminology that data collectors may encounter and also focused on certain protocols that now allow more extensive data collection.

The morning programme was rounded off by Ferdinand Wit, HIV-treating physician and SHM researcher, who gave a talk on the various types of arrhythmia and their clinical presentations, diagnosis and treatment.

The afternoon programme focused on DataCapTree and started off with a talk by Tieme Woudstra from SHM’s data management team and member of DataCapTree’s construction team. Tieme presented the new protocols for collecting data on intoxications and gave a demonstration of the expanded protocols for the collection of data on smoking, alcohol use, drugs, and medication abuse. In the second part of the afternoon, Shula Grivell and Femke Paling gave an update of the queries and reports most frequently submitted to SHM’s helpdesk for data collectors. Finally, Leonie de Groot, SHM’s coordinator for data collectors, highlighted the priorities for data collection in the coming months.

The day was rounded off with an interactive quiz that used case studies to test medical knowledge and also invited feedback on how the data collectors experienced using DataCapTree. Ideas were also shared on how the data entry system could be made even more user friendly. All-in all, it was a successful day with a packed programme!