All about Quality Improvement Projects
Quality improvement projects are an important part of every doctors training in the UK. These can be done at any level - whether it is a training post or a non training post.
What is a quality improvement project?
In simple terms, it involves the following:
1. Identifying an issue in the system which can be fixed.
2. Measuring the effects of the current system (eg in the form of a proforma).
3. Thinking of a change - ie making a recommendation
4. Implementing that change
5. Measuring the effects of the new system.
6. Presenting the whole process (in the form of a presentation or a poster).
Are there any common examples?
For example, if you do not like the new cannulas your trust has started using, you can make a proforma and give it to the junior doctors, nurses and clinical support team members who cannulate patients frequently.
You have thus "measured" the current affects of this system.
Now you can talk to the head of supply and other professionals involved in this and request them to change these to the cannulas everyone was used to by showing them a simple graph you have made by analyzing the data in the filled proformas.
If they agree (ie it is financially feasible, etc which it should be as the professionals doing this are not happy with it and have to recannulate patients multiple times thus wasting cannulas), then they might consider bringing that change you have suggested.
Once the old cannulas are back, you can then ask everyone to fill out the proformas again.
Analyze the data again
Present this in your CPD lectures, grand round lectures, educational half day or/and conference. Make a poster as well.
Any more examples?
Changing the handover system in your trust.
Ensuring that there is a set rota which mentions all of the doctors on call.
Ensuring that the rota coordinator emails/puts up the weekend rota on the intranet 2 days in advance.
Introducing a new "friday ward round" paper which is attached to the patients notes and mentions the esclatation plan and any outstanding jobs for the weekend on call team.
So to summarize, you identify an issue, measure the effects of it, think of a solution and then implement that solution. You then re-measure the effects of the new change you have implemented and then show this to your team members in the form of a presentation or poster. Or both.
I have identified a problem in my trust. How should I go about it?
Remember this SMART goals mnemonic :
1. Specific
2. Measurable
3. Achievable
4. Relevant
5. Time-bound
My project is all of the above. What should I do next
Talk to your supervisor. You need his/her support in this. They know people whom you can meet and they can hep facilitate the whole process.
How important are quality improvement projects?
It is a necessary point in the appraisal process:
https://www.gmc-uk.org/doctors/revalidation/revalidation_information.asp
What is a quality improvement project?
In simple terms, it involves the following:
1. Identifying an issue in the system which can be fixed.
2. Measuring the effects of the current system (eg in the form of a proforma).
3. Thinking of a change - ie making a recommendation
4. Implementing that change
5. Measuring the effects of the new system.
6. Presenting the whole process (in the form of a presentation or a poster).
Are there any common examples?
For example, if you do not like the new cannulas your trust has started using, you can make a proforma and give it to the junior doctors, nurses and clinical support team members who cannulate patients frequently.
You have thus "measured" the current affects of this system.
Now you can talk to the head of supply and other professionals involved in this and request them to change these to the cannulas everyone was used to by showing them a simple graph you have made by analyzing the data in the filled proformas.
If they agree (ie it is financially feasible, etc which it should be as the professionals doing this are not happy with it and have to recannulate patients multiple times thus wasting cannulas), then they might consider bringing that change you have suggested.
Once the old cannulas are back, you can then ask everyone to fill out the proformas again.
Analyze the data again
Present this in your CPD lectures, grand round lectures, educational half day or/and conference. Make a poster as well.
Any more examples?
Changing the handover system in your trust.
Ensuring that there is a set rota which mentions all of the doctors on call.
Ensuring that the rota coordinator emails/puts up the weekend rota on the intranet 2 days in advance.
Introducing a new "friday ward round" paper which is attached to the patients notes and mentions the esclatation plan and any outstanding jobs for the weekend on call team.
So to summarize, you identify an issue, measure the effects of it, think of a solution and then implement that solution. You then re-measure the effects of the new change you have implemented and then show this to your team members in the form of a presentation or poster. Or both.
I have identified a problem in my trust. How should I go about it?
Remember this SMART goals mnemonic :
1. Specific
2. Measurable
3. Achievable
4. Relevant
5. Time-bound
My project is all of the above. What should I do next
Talk to your supervisor. You need his/her support in this. They know people whom you can meet and they can hep facilitate the whole process.
How important are quality improvement projects?
It is a necessary point in the appraisal process:
https://www.gmc-uk.org/doctors/revalidation/revalidation_information.asp
You also get points for this when you apply for training posts.
PLUS this also helps improve patient care.
Should I do a quality improvement project in my home country?
You can do a quality improvement project anywhere. However you should focus on your exams if you are in your home country and come to the UK ASAP. If you have time in your home country and can give UK based post graduate exams in your home country then you could give those.
Prioritize everything.
You primary priority should be to get registration with the GMC ASAP.
If you have time, give a UK based post graduate exam.
If you still have time, do a quality improvement project.
If I do a quality improvement project in my home country, will it help me get a job in the UK?
Everyone manages to get a job in the UK as a non trainee. I did not do this and I still managed easily. So did a lot of my friends and colleagues.
You will get plenty of opportunities to do quality improvement projects when you start working in the UK.
Here are some official links to quality improvement projects:
http://www.rcgp.org.uk/training-exams/mrcgp-workplace-based-assessment-wpba/qip-guidance.aspx
https://improvement.nhs.uk/improvement-hub/quality-improvement/
Should I do a quality improvement project in my home country?
You can do a quality improvement project anywhere. However you should focus on your exams if you are in your home country and come to the UK ASAP. If you have time in your home country and can give UK based post graduate exams in your home country then you could give those.
Prioritize everything.
You primary priority should be to get registration with the GMC ASAP.
If you have time, give a UK based post graduate exam.
If you still have time, do a quality improvement project.
If I do a quality improvement project in my home country, will it help me get a job in the UK?
Everyone manages to get a job in the UK as a non trainee. I did not do this and I still managed easily. So did a lot of my friends and colleagues.
You will get plenty of opportunities to do quality improvement projects when you start working in the UK.
Here are some official links to quality improvement projects:
http://www.rcgp.org.uk/training-exams/mrcgp-workplace-based-assessment-wpba/qip-guidance.aspx
https://improvement.nhs.uk/improvement-hub/quality-improvement/
https://www.google.co.uk
2. Do not give up! If you have the support of your supervisor, you can do a lot.
And remember! This is not only for your CV but also to improve patient care in the long run which is our primary goal!
My tips:
1. Be smart about this. Do not take up a big project which is very difficult to implement.2. Do not give up! If you have the support of your supervisor, you can do a lot.
3. Even simple small projects are well appreciated.
4. You can do it! Just talk to the relevant people once you have an idea.
5. Always think about improving your workplace. All of these "thoughts" can be implemented in the form of quality improvement. So discuss any idea you have with your supervisor.
And remember! This is not only for your CV but also to improve patient care in the long run which is our primary goal!
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