Metrics Implementation in an Industry-Based Medical Information Department and Comparison to Metrics Tracked within Other Industry-Based Medical Information Departments

Abstract

There was no formal metrics system in place for the medical information (MI) department at Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Therefore, the MI department of Solvay sought to develop a formal metrics system for accurately capturing and reporting workload statistics.

A preimplementation survey was administered to assess the impression of MI core function workload including medical response letters, medical inquiries, and promotional review. Monthly workload statistics were captured for each MI team member, and averages at 3 and 6 months were compared to preimplementation survey averages. Another survey gathered information regarding workload tracking practices in other industry-based MI departments.

The majority (60-65%) of metrics captured were inconsistent with presurvey perceived averages. The formal metrics system implemented at Solvay more accurately depicts workload and the accomplishments of MI employees, enables better prediction of staffing requirements, and is consistent with workload monitoring practices of other pharmaceutical industry companies surveyed.