Quality Improvement (QI)

Quality improvement (QI) is an integral part of clinical research and optimizing patient care. CIM will gain the foundations of QI by working through modules from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and the Evidence-based Practice for Improving Quality (EPIQ) workshop.By these means, all residents are expected to participate in the process by developing their own QI question and research proposal, with collaboration between residents and facilitators. Each resident must complete one QI project proposal as part of these group exercises.

What is Quality Improvement?  Where do I start?

Quality improvement (QI) research strives to bridge the gap between ideal and actual care. It is distinct from other types of research in that the focus of QI is on how to improve the process of delivering interventions that are known to improve patient outcomes. Simply put, it is practice improvement that aims to develop a healthcare system that is safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient and equitable.

Many resources and online modules exist that teach the basics of QI. We suggest the following for beginners:

• Institute for Healthcare Improvement: Online-based modules that can be accessed for free using the University of Alberta’s organizational subscription. Requires you to create a personal account with your U of A email address.

• Duke University: Online learning modules, no registration needed. 

• QWOGO: University of Alberta database compiling many QI resources, including U of A specific resources. Registration required.

• EPIQ: A Canadian-developped evidence-based QI process

In order to complete the QI Curriculum, residents must:

1. Complete the EPIQ workshop on Quality Improvement training

2. Complete a QI project proposal--this will be done in groups and completed by the end of EPIQ workshop

3. Complete the IHI online modules on patient safety (PS101-PS105)

4. Present a 10-15 minute presentation of their proposal at a QI Academic Half Day

5. Current R1s only: From their proposal, develop the project with assistance of a QI champion

Additional QI Resources

• List of DoM QI Faculty Contacts & Mentors

• QI Primer from Duke University

• Online collaborative workspace with links to QI resources (registration required)

• Simple visual primer (video) on QI