title: Implementation of a Multimodal Mobile System for Point-of-Sale Surveillance: Lessons Learned From Case Studies in Washington, DC, and New York City.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In tobacco control and other fields, point-of-sale surveillance of the retail environment is critical for understanding industry marketing of products and informing public health practice. Innovations in mobile technology can improve existing, paper-based surveillance methods, yet few studies describe in detail how to operationalize the use of technology in public health surveillance.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this paper are to share implementation strategies and lessons learned from 2 tobacco, point-of-sale surveillance projects to inform and prepare public health researchers and practitioners to implement new mobile technologies in retail point-of-sale surveillance systems.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2011 to 2013, 2 point-of-sale surveillance pilot projects were conducted in Washington, DC, and New York, New York, to capture information about the tobacco retail environment and test the feasibility of a multimodal mobile data collection system, which included capabilities for audio or video recording data, electronic photographs, electronic location data, and a centralized back-end server and dashboard. We established a preimplementation field testing process for both projects, which involved a series of rapid and iterative tests to inform decisions and establish protocols around key components of the project.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Important components of field testing included choosing a mobile phone that met project criteria, establishing an efficient workflow and accessible user interfaces for each component of the system, training and providing technical support to fieldworkers, and developing processes to integrate data from multiple sources into back-end systems that can be utilized in real-time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A well-planned implementation process is critical for successful use and performance of multimodal mobile surveillance systems. Guidelines for implementation include (1) the need to establish and allow time for an iterative testing framework for resolving technical and logistical challenges; (2) developing a streamlined workflow and user-friendly interfaces for data collection; (3) allowing for ongoing communication, feedback, and technology-related skill-building among all staff; and (4) supporting infrastructure for back-end data systems. Although mobile technologies are evolving rapidly, lessons learned from these case studies are essential for ensuring that the many benefits of new mobile systems for rapid point-of-sale surveillance are fully realized.
authors.affiliation: Truth InitiativeEvaluation Science and ResearchWashington, DCUnited States; Department of Health, Behavior, and SocietyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimore, MDUnited States.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4730-2535
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cantrell
authors.affiliation: Truth InitiativeEvaluation Science and ResearchWashington, DCUnited States; Department of Prevention and Community HealthGeorge Washington University Milken Institute School of Public HealthWashington, DCUnited States.
authors.forename: Ollie
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7933-8463
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ganz
authors.affiliation: Truth InitiativeEvaluation Science and ResearchWashington, DCUnited States; Department of Prevention and Community HealthGeorge Washington University Milken Institute School of Public HealthWashington, DCUnited States.
authors.forename: Vinu
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7827-0639
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ilakkuvan
authors.affiliation: Survos LLC Washington, DC United States.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4140-731X
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tacelosky
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Behavior, and Society Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Baltimore, MD United States.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6605-1327
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kreslake
authors.affiliation: College of Global Public Health New York University New York, NY United States.
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1145-4193
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moon-Howard
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociomedical Sciences Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health New York, NY United States.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4425-6935
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aidala
authors.affiliation: Truth InitiativeEvaluation Science and ResearchWashington, DCUnited States; College of Global Public HealthNew York UniversityNew York, NYUnited States.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9841-9333
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vallone
authors.affiliation: Steven A Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies Truth Initiative Washington, DC United States.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6034-8768
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anesetti-Rothermel
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Behavior, and SocietyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimore, MDUnited States; College of Global Public HealthNew York UniversityNew York, NYUnited States; Department of OncologyLombardi Comprehensive Cancer CenterGeorgetown University Medical CenterWashington, NYUnited States.
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5764-4980
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Kirchner
keywords: implementation; marketing; mobile technology; point-of-sale; public health surveillance; tobacco; tobacco industry advertising