For the past 12 months, the OpenClinica development team has been working diligently on the next major OpenClinica release. In a prior blog post (OpenClinica 3.1 (project “Amethyst”) Preview), I discussed some of the new functionality and key improvements this forthcoming release will include. Since then, the development team has added some more pieces of functionality, most notably:
- Re-factoring of Extract Data to enable custom data transformations
- Discrepancy Note “Days Open” filter
- Discrepancy Note “Days Since Updated” filter
- CRF Header updates
- Additional study parameter configuration options
- Interviewer Name – not used
- Interview Date – not used
- Location – not used
- OpenClinica Data Mart for ad hoc reporting*
- GUI-based Rules designer*
Custom Data Transformations
From a development perspective, perhaps the most significant piece of functionality in the above list is the complete re-factoring of the Extract Data module. In prior versions of OpenClinica, the Extract Data module would natively export CDISC ODM 1.2, CDISC ODM 1.3, both ODM 1.2 and 1.3 with OpenClinica extensions, tab-delimited text, and an SPSS file format. While these formats will continue to be available in 3.1, OpenClinica will have the ability to process (via XSL style sheets) any CDISC ODM 1.3 data set into any other data format.
This new XSL method of extracting data from OpenClinica opens up a new world of formats in which data may be obtained from OpenClinica. To create a new extract format, all one has to do is configure a new XSL style sheet. Organizations can write their own XSL style sheets then configure a file called extract.properties that allows OpenClinica’s XSL transformation engine to convert the data in the ODM XML file into the organization’s desired format.
GUI-based Rules Designer*
The GUI-based Rules designer is a project currently underway that allows users to build cross-field/cross-form multivariate edit checks without having to interface directly with XML. Its intuitive, drag and drop interface hides much of the current complexity in creating and managing Rules, while retaining the system’s robust capabilities in this area. Users will be able to work directly with the Item Names as defined in a CRFs definition, eliminating the need to keep track of OIDs.
OpenClinica Data Mart*
The OpenClinica Data Mart presents clinical data from OpenClinica studies in a readily-accessible relational database for ad hoc reporting and analysis. The Data Mart enables data managers, project managers, and researchers to create reports and mine data using standard business intelligence software or SQL reporting tools
Beta Timeframe
We currently expect the first Beta of 3.1 to be available towards the end of November. This Beta will be feature complete, and blocking issues that prevent the testing of new features will have been resolved. Once the first Beta is released, we will begin the 3.1 Pilot Program. We currently have 10 organizations participating in the Pilot Program, but if your organization would like to volunteer as well please contact me.
Please be sure to check back the OpenClinica Blog often as I post future updates on the 3.1 timelines.
– Paul Galvin, OpenClinica Project Manager
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*Both the GUI-based Rules designer and Data Mart will be Enterprise only applications and will not be part of the publicly released 3.1 Beta.