Automatically sync REDCap research records into PostgreSQL

Pulls new REDCap records on a schedule and keeps a matching PostgreSQL database up to date, no duplicates.

How the work actually flows

It branches. Exactly one path is taken; runs once per each redcap record.

Pattern: Exclusive Choice (4) · Simple Merge (5) · Multiple Instances without Synchronization (12)

flowchart TD trig(["scheduled check of REDCap"]):::trigtime s0["Fetch new records from REDCap"]:::svc s1["Confirm destination table"]:::task s2[["Upsert each record"]]:::mi trig --> s0 s1 -->|"one per each REDCap record"| s2 gx{"× table already exists"}:::gate s0 --> gx p00["skip creation"]:::task gx -->|"table exists"| p00 p10["create table automatically"]:::task gx -->|"table missing"| p10 jn{"○ table ready"}:::gate p00 --> jn p10 --> jn jn --> s1 out[/"PostgreSQL table synced with REDCap"/]:::out pay{{"database always current without exports"}}:::pay s2 --> out out --> pay classDef task fill:#e7f6fe,stroke:#34b8f0,color:#2c2a29 classDef svc fill:#f6f8fa,stroke:#7c8795,color:#2c2a29 classDef mi fill:#e7f6fe,stroke:#0079a8,color:#2c2a29,stroke-width:2px classDef human fill:#fff,stroke:#0079a8,color:#0079a8 classDef store fill:#f6f8fa,stroke:#0079a8,color:#2c2a29 classDef trig fill:#00a4eb,stroke:#0079a8,color:#fff,font-weight:bold classDef trigtime fill:#00a4eb,stroke:#0079a8,color:#fff,font-weight:bold classDef trigdata fill:#8ad4f5,stroke:#0079a8,color:#06314c,font-weight:bold classDef gate fill:#fff,stroke:#e8a23d,color:#6b4708,font-weight:bold classDef out fill:#1f9d6b,stroke:#167a53,color:#fff,font-weight:bold classDef pay fill:#06314c,stroke:#021f33,color:#fff
Starts itA stepAn outside serviceRuns once per itemOne path onlyPaths rejoinResultPayoff
Build size
Standard

A mid-size build with several tools working together.

Business functions
Spreadsheet & Database Ops
Connects
REDCapPostgreSQL

The problem it solves

You collect research data in REDCap, but getting it into a database for analysis usually means manual exports and imports every time you need fresh numbers. That delay slows down reporting and makes it easy for your database to fall out of sync with what's actually in REDCap.

Who it fits

Health researchers, clinical study teams, or data managers who use REDCap and need the data in a real database.

How it works

  1. On a schedule, the system checks REDCap for records through its API
  2. It creates the destination table in PostgreSQL automatically if needed
  3. Each record is saved into PostgreSQL, updating existing rows instead of duplicating them
  4. Your PostgreSQL database stays current with REDCap without any manual export
What you get

Records that match between REDCap and Postgres every time

Your PostgreSQL database mirrors your REDCap study records automatically, staying current without anyone exporting or re-entering data.

What you get

An always up-to-date PostgreSQL table mirroring your REDCap project data.

What you need

A REDCap project with API access and a PostgreSQL database.

We can build this. But should you?

The hard question is not how to build it. It is whether this is the right thing to build first.

That is what a Fractional Chief AI Officer figures out with you, before anyone writes a line of code.

Let's Talk Strategy

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