RC-VALO Publish and promote clinical research

— What is the expertise and experience of Direct Epidemio-Statistics in epidemiology and statistics?

The team members have a strong academic background, with advanced degrees in machine learning and postdoctoral experience in epidemiostatistics. The team members have published in leading journals. The company is also certified CIR by the Ministry of National Education and Research (2022-23-24). This combination of education, training, and professional experience provides the team with a high level of expertise in designing clinical studies and epidemiostatistics to improve the design of these studies.

— Will the mission be executed quickly? What will be the timelines?

Completing projects for our clients within deadlines is important to Direct Epidemio-Statistics. To answer the question of availability, we can provide an overview of our current workload and work with you to discuss the timeline for your project. If needed, we are flexible on the scope of the project. The project can also be done in stages. We aim to communicate openly and transparently. We will keep you informed of any delays or potential issues that may arise.

— What are the fees?

The price of Direct Epidemio-Statistics services varies based on several factors, including whether it is a one-time consultation or an ongoing contract, the budget of the clinical research project, and the nature of the client. For example, a one-time consultation is generally more expensive than a consultation as part of a longer collaboration with multiple consultations because a longer collaboration involves time and resources that can span a longer period, while a one-time consultation requires more intensive and targeted effort, resulting in a higher one-time cost. Additionally, the price is affected by whether or not the consultants are involved in disseminating the results in scientific journals and the visibility it brings.
Rates depend heavily on the time spent on publication. For example, for a SIGAPS-A or -B, several weeks to months of work are required. However, for a SIGAPS-E or NC, the epidemiostatistics can be expedited in a few days to hours.

— Can references from previous clients be provided?

The team members at Direct Epidemio-Statistics have diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise. Some of this expertise was developed prior to clients coming to the company, while other expertise has been developed at Direct Epidemio-Statistics. Regarding references, we do not make all of them public. However, for a selection of our clients, we list their names and testimonials on our website or on social media. If you are interested in specific references or would like to speak with one of our former clients, please feel free to contact us, and we will do our best to fulfill your request.

— How will the analysis ensure objectivity and impartiality?

Objectivity and impartial analysis are essential for the long-term credibility of Direct Epidemio-Statistics. To ensure that our analysis meets these standards, we use established methods and review the data and results with you. We can also involve multiple analysts or independent reviewers to further guarantee objectivity and impartial results. If necessary, we can also sign a conflict of interest statement to further demonstrate our commitment to objectivity and impartial analysis.

— How will communication and collaboration be handled during the project?

Direct Epidemio-Statistics regularly communicates with you through your preferred method, whether it is via email, phone, or video conference. We establish a step-by-step schedule and provide regular updates on progress. To ensure the project is conducted efficiently, we encourage open and transparent communication.

— What measures will be taken to protect the confidentiality of data and research?

To ensure the confidentiality of clients' data and research, Direct Epidemio-Statistics only accepts anonymized data, which means that Direct Epidemio-Statistics does not have personally identifiable information (PII); therefore, the risk of patient confidentiality breach is very low. Additionally, the computer systems of Direct Epidemio-Statistics have hard drives that encrypt data at rest, providing an additional layer of security for your data. Finally, the team is aware of the importance of confidentiality and the potential threats that exist.

— How does billing work in the context of a public hospital?

Direct Epidemio-Statistics understands that billing processes can be complex, especially for young physician-researchers working in public hospitals. Your public hospital most certainly uses CHORUS, the national state portal that simplifies and speeds up the payment process for providers by public administrations—and thus, your hospital. To invoice you, we need the Principal Investigator (PI) to be authorized to sign a quote (if applicable, add someone with that authority such as a department head). And then, simply indicate the target service to which to direct the digital invoice. In terms of VAT, the amount is generally not relevant to the spending and budget decision as hospitals are also VAT collectors (all or part of the VAT will be offset).

— What are the deliverables?

The deliverables are an analysis report (PDF) in English, ranging from 10 to 50 pages (indicative), with a methods section, a list of the main findings, and paragraphs, tables, and graphs to write the article. Argumentative and editorial contributions to articles, as well as responses to reviewers at the methodological and statistical level, are also part of the deliverables.

— What are the timelines?

The timeline for carrying out the epidemiostatistical analysis is estimated and specified in the quote as a time interval. This timeline mainly depends on the targeted impact factor, but also on our familiarity with the subject matter and our workload plan. In general, the mission starts at the signing of the order and ends at the latest on the date of publication in a scientific journal.

— What are the prerequisites for the mission?

The mission requires anonymized, raw, untreated, and unimputed data, including data throughout the lifecycle (create, update, delete), co-authorship of articles in position 3 (from the beginning or end), and being a statistical and manuscript contributor to the articles.