Ten steps to using mast in real life projects in Renewing Health

Ten steps to using MAST in real life projects in Renewing Health

Step 1: Get introduced to MAST

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  Participate in the MAST seminar in Berlin, May 5^th 2010
  
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  Read the MAST Manual
  
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  Questions to MAST: Contact Kristian Kidholm ([e-mail])
  

Step 2: Preceding considerations before assessment is initiated

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  Determine the aim of the telemedicine application and the alternative technologies.
  
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  Consider whether the legislation and reimbursement is in place, the maturity of the application and the number of patients expecting to use of telemedicine application. These issues determine whether you are ready to carry out an assessment on the basis of MAST.
  
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  See MAST Manual section 5
  

Step 3: Identify the relevant outcome measures

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  Based on the existing scientific literature, results from pilot studies and local experience with the telemedicine application the relevant (theoretical) outcomes and (empirical) outcome measures should be selected.
  
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  The specific outcome measures and instruments for data collection used will depend on the diagnoses of the patient group, the purpose of the telemedicine application and the organisations using the application.
  
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  Together with the Cluster Manager and the project teams within each cluster a number of common primary outcome measures are identified. Collection of secondary outcomes, only relevant to the individual project, is also possible.
  
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  Notice that a short questionnaire for assessment of the opinion of patients, relatives and professionals will be provided and should be included if the perception of the patients, the relatives and the professionals are considered relevant outcomes. Information about questionnaires: Contact Kristian Kidholm ([e-mail])
  

Step 4: Produce a draft of your scientific trial protocol [month 6]

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  Produce a draft of your scientific protocol for your real life project based on a template.
  
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  The protocol should include detailed description of objectives, design, methodology, primary and secondary outcomes (clinical outcomes, subjective patient’s perception, organisational and economic consequences), statistical considerations and organisation of the project.
  
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  Template will be provided by Reinhard Prior, who will also assist local project teams. Contact: Reinhard Prior ([e-mail]).
  

Step 5: Produce your final scientific trial protocol [month 12]

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  Contact: Reinhard Prior ([e-mail])
  

Step 6: Enrolment and randomisation of patients

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  Remember to collect data on patients not willing to participate in the project and the study
  

Step 7: Start the data collection

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  Collection of data from patients, relatives, professionals and registers.
  
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  Collection of ex-ante and ex-post value for all outcome measures
  

Step 8: Feed the database

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  To prepare data for statistical analysis data must be entered into a database. A database will be produced by Region Syddanmark and will be ready for use in February 2011.
  
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  The database will be adjusted to your local data collection and your local needs.
  
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  You will be contacted in the fall of 2010 regarding which data you are collecting and how data should be entered into the database
  
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  Contact Kristian Kidholm ([e-mail])
  

Step 9: Analyze your data

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  Analysis of data is made locally by the local project teams in collaboration with the cluster managers.
  
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  Use appropriate scientific methods to analyse data within each of the MAST domains, e.g. use statistical analysis to analyse quantitative data and to estimate statistical significance and control for possible confounders.
  
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  Assistance to cluster managers and local project team: Contact Reinhard Prior ([e-mail])
  

Step 10: Report your results – the final pilot evaluation [month 31]

- Use the 7 MAST domains to structure your report

- A template for reporting will be provided

- Assistance to cluster managers and local project team: Contact Kristian Kidholm ([e-mail])