Research IT maturity models for academic health centers: Early development and initial evaluation

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Information Technology Management

Background:

• Effective health science research increasingly depends on robust research IT systems.
• Academic health centers face pressures from data growth, technological advancements, and regulatory challenges, driving IT investment.
• Current research IT investment strategies lack standardization and comparable guidance across institutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose the creation and application of maturity models for research IT.
• To guide institutional strategic investment in research informatics and information technology (research IT).
• To measure readiness for clinical and research infrastructure and sustainability of expertise.

Main Methods:

• Development and application of maturity models.
• Assessment of current organizational state and readiness for IT investment.
• Pilot studies involving engagement with medical school IT leaders and refinement across peer institutions.

Main Results:

• Maturity models provide a framework for evaluating research IT investments.
• They enable consistent approaches to research IT implementation across academic health centers.
• Pilot work demonstrates the utility of maturity models in planning and cross-institutional application.

Conclusions:

• Maturity models can standardize and improve strategic planning and investment in research IT.
• They offer a mechanism to link IT investments to institutional goals and assess readiness.
• These models are valuable tools for leadership in navigating complex research IT landscapes.