How Using R Impacted our Client Work and Streamlined our Processes

Last October, OMNI's Quantitative Best Practice Team launched an initiative to use the programming language and statistical software R for analysis, reporting, and visualization. As we discussed in a previous blog, we were excited about R's wide-ranging capabilities and the possibility of streamlining our processes by combining the functionality of several other software programs. Over the last year, we used R in many projects across our work. Here are highlights of how R has informed our work and impacted our clients.

Automating data tracking systems
As evaluators on the Virginia State Opioid Response Grant, OMNI is responsible for tracking substance use treatment data from across Virginia. The data is collected by over 40 Community Service Boards (CSBs).

We were able to use R to streamline the creation of data tracking sheets in Excel for each CSB. Because of R, we are now able to provide automated, timely, community-specific data in ways we couldn’t before. These tracking sheets are updated each week to help CSBs understand their specific data collection needs and timelines.

Providing additional detailed reports for our clients
The Colorado Family Resource Center Association (FRCA) aims to strengthen families by providing comprehensive community-based services. There are over 30 Family Resource Centers across Colorado. As part of our annual evaluation, we produce individual reports for a subset of Family Resource Centers.

R allowed us to update our process for creating these center-level reports to be more efficient and incorporate more relevant data for each center. The newly-automated reporting process allowed us to create additional reports for centers that we previously could not have made due to budget and time constraints.

Using a single tool for both quantitative and qualitative data analysis
In March 2020, OMNI created a survey for substance use disorder treatment providers to examine the impact of COVID-19 on treatment and recovery. This survey included both quantitative measures (e.g. a numeric rating of the helpfulness of telehealth) and qualitative measures (e.g. open-ended questions about the helpfulness of telehealth). 

OMNI has historically used separate tools for analyzing these two types of data. We were able to use R to analyze the entire survey which streamlined and simplified our reporting process. We now have a resource for addiction treatment providers to inform their own practice as the pandemic continues. Click here to view the report.

This Fall we are planning to hold another training on the fundamentals of R so that additional staff can build their capacity in R. In addition, we are continuing to discover new ways to use R including mapping, connecting directly with online survey platforms, and creating interactive data visualizations. We look forward to seeing how R continues to impact our work!