Technical Tools

The technical tools are, for the most part, web-based applications designed to provide faster access to up-to-date information for the evaluation and continuous improvement of services.

• Dynamic Description of Health and Social Services (FR: DDS)
• Automated Text Classifier of Empirical Research (ATCER)
• Collaborative monitoring system of trends in patient-oriented research (eSRAP)
• Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®)
• Guide to mHealth Implementation

Dynamic Description of Health and Social Services (FR: DDS)

Web application offering a dynamic description of front-line health and social services in Quebec

This interactive application provides an integrated and up-to-date vision of front-line health services in Quebec. Developed in response to a need expressed by researchers, managers, patient partners and practitioners, the DDS is a tool for the evaluation and continuous improvement of services.

Authors: Kilpatrick (UdM) & Pluye (McGill)

Link: https://ddsquebec.cirano.qc.ca (French only)

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Automated Text Classifier of Empirical Research (ATCER)

Web classifier that automatically selects scientific publications (producing a qualitative or quantitative data collection-analysis or both) to speed up mixed rapid reviews

This application is intended to facilitate the work of policy makers, information specialists, researchers and graduate students who plan and conduct mixed literature reviews (literature reviews that include qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method studies). This tool categorizes studies as “scientific” vs. “non-scientific”. ATCER allows one to save time and resources when selecting studies.

Authors: El Sherif (McGill) & Nie (UdM)

Link: https://atcer.iro.umontreal.ca/index

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Collaborative monitoring system of trends in patient-oriented research (eSRAP)

Web platform for collaborative monitoring of trends in patient-oriented research (eSRAP) (3 versions: eSRAP-summaries, -comments and -interactions)

eSRAP is a collaborative monitoring platform designed to help communities interested in a topic (including researchers, clinicians, decision-makers and patient partners) to stay up to date on the latest scientific publications on that topic. eSRAP facilitates the selection of relevant publications and access to selected publications. eSRAP aims to optimize the sharing of monitoring efforts and knowledge, and ultimately to democratize monitoring.

Authors: Tang et al (NRC & McGill)

Link: eSRAP
Tutorial: (English)/ Tutoriel: (Français)

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Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®)

The Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) is a set of person-centered measures to assess how people feel and function.

“Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are questionnaires measuring the patients’ views of their health status” (Kingsley & Patel, 2017).

PROMIS uses advances in information technology, psychometrics, and qualitative, cognitive, and health survey research to measure patient reported outcomes such as pain, fatigue, physical function, emotional distress, and participation that have a major impact on quality-of-life across chronic diseases. Self reported and parent-reported measures in adults and children are available.

Our component’s initiative in connection with the PROMs was to translate them into French, respecting the standards of transcultural adaptation and the rigor necessary to preserve the psychometric properties of the PROMs. Here is a list of the PROMs that have been translated (https://www.mcgill.ca/can-pro-network/french-translations-0).

French versions of many measures are available by contacting [email protected] or [email protected].  To request any other language, please contact [email protected].  Note that French and other available languages are subject to a distribution fee.

Please note that PROMIS measures cannot be translated without permission. Be sure read the Terms and Conditions of Use here for more information.

Link: PROMIS-Canada, PROMs translated into French

Do not hesitate to contact us ([email protected]) if you have specific needs in terms of PROMs.

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Guide to mHealth Implementation

 A six-step guide to implementing mobile health to empower and educate patients

Mobile health (mHealth) describes the use of mobile and wireless technologies (i.e., applications, smartphones, tablets, self-monitoring devices, mobile services, etc.) to support the achievement of health objectives. With consideration of the growing capabilities, ease of use, and availability of applications and smart devices, mHealth tools may be used to empower and educate patients, detect symptoms, promote behaviour change, manage illness, medication or appointment reminders, counselling, and education.

To understand how to influence mHealth tool use among patients, caregivers, and clinicians, we synthesized 30 literature reviews about mHealth tool implementation strategies, recommendations, facilitators, and barriers. In response to a request from the Unité de soutien SSA du Québec, we distilled our results into six mHealth tool implementation steps, detailing their importance and actionable strategies. It is our hope that implementers can follow these steps to optimize mHealth tools effectiveness, address usage barriers, and meet user needs. 

A French version is coming soon.

Link: Guide

Authors: Bush, P. L., Chu, D., Engler, K. C., Lussier, S., Barnett, T. A., & Lebouché, B. (2024). A 6-Step Guide to mHealth Implementation. Unité de soutien SSA Québec