Improving knowledge of quality and safety among general and acute care medicine advanced trainees through a brief quality improvement workshop

Ar Kar Aung; Mary-Ann Ryall; Sarah Davis; Aditi Shukla; Anne Knight; Jennifer Lee

doi:10.11157/fohpe.v25i1.726

Authors

Ar Kar Aung Alfred Health, Australia; Monash University, Australia
Mary-Ann Ryall Central Coast Local Health District, Australia; University of Newcastle, Australia
Sarah Davis Illawarra and Shoalhaven Local Health District, Australia
Aditi Shukla South Western Sydney Local Health District, Australia
Anne Knight Hunter New England Local Health District, Australia; University of Newcastle, Australia
Jennifer Lee New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, United States of America

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11157/fohpe.v25i1.726

Keywords:

Internal Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand, quality improvement, quality and safety, medical education

Abstract

Introduction: Quality and safety is a core competency, yet there are limited formalised quality improvement (QI) courses for physician trainees offered in Australia.

Methods: An introductory QI workshop was conducted for trainees at the Internal Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand (IMSANZ) Conference 2022. The workshop covered principles of improvement science, QI tools and plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles. The contents were delivered through a small-group experiential learning format. Pre- and post-workshop surveys were administered to evaluate the participants’ perceptions and improvement in QI knowledge domains.

Results: Thirty-five trainees attended the workshop. Of all respondents, none had received formal QI training previously. Statistically significant improvements in nearly all QI knowledge domains were noted in the post-workshop evaluation along with improvement in participants’ motivation to further learn QI processes relevant to their vocation.

Conclusion: An introductory workshop can significantly improve knowledge and motivation to further learn QI amongst physician trainees.

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