title: User testing and performance evaluation of the Electronic Quality Improvement Platform for Plans and Pharmacies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To user-test and evaluate a performance information management platform that makes standardized, benchmarked medication use quality data available to both health plans and community pharmacy organizations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multiple health/drug plans and multiple chain and independent pharmacies across the United States.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the first phase of the study, user experience was measured via user satisfaction surveys and interviews with key personnel (pharmacists, pharmacy leaders, and health plan leadership). Improvements were subsequently made to the platform based on these findings. During the second phase of the study, the platform was implemented in a greater number of pharmacies and by a greater number of payers. User experience was then reevaluated to gather information for further improvements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The surveys and interviews revealed that users found the Web-based platform easy to use and beneficial in terms of understanding and comparing performance metrics. Primary concerns included lack of access to real-time data and patient-specific data. Many users also expressed uncertainty as to how they could use the information and data provided by the platform.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study findings indicate that while information management platforms can be used effectively in both pharmacy and health plan settings, future development is needed to ensure that the provided data can be transferred to pharmacy best practices and improved quality care.
authors.affiliation: Program Evaluation and Research Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. Electronic address: jlpringle@pitt.edu.
authors.forename: Janice L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Pringle
authors.affiliation: Coordinator of Operations, Program Evaluation and Research Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Shannon M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kearney
authors.affiliation: Senior Research Specialist, Program Evaluation and Research Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grasso
authors.affiliation: Development, CECity. com, Inc., Homestead, PA.
authors.forename: Annette D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Boyer
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Quality Solutions, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Mark H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Conklin
authors.affiliation: Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Medical Affairs, U.S. Region, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., Deerfield, IL.
authors.forename: Keith A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Szymanski
mesh_terms: D022126:Access to Information; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000592:standards*; D063025:Health Information Management / Q000592:standards*; D063005:Health Information Systems / Q000592:standards*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000592:standards*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000592:standards*; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires