On the pursuit of clinical excellence

The purpose of this paper is to offer a pragmatic definition of clinical excellence.

The paper is a conceptual review of key studies relating to clinical excellence.

The pursuit of clinical excellence can be profitably considered in terms of 15 pillars of excellence comprising “technical” pillars, “personal” pillars, and “future” pillars. The five technical pillars are: evidence‐based thinking and practice; professional and peer accreditation; decision support systems; effectiveness and efficiency; learning and risk management. The five personal pillars comprise: interpersonal skills; collaboration and leadership; resilience and stress management; user involvement; moral principles. The five future pillars consist of: policy and succession planning; teaching and training; innovation; research and publications; income‐resource generation.

These 15 pillars of excellence may serve as an aide‐memoire for clinicians in their professional practice, as a pragmatic framework for both individual and organizational appraisal, accreditation, revalidation and reward systems, and as a teaching tool for a range of health‐care professionals.