An improvement model to optimise hospital interdisciplinary learning
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance
ISSN: 0952-6862
Article publication date: 13 June 2016
Abstract
Purpose
Interdisciplinary healthcare education and collaboration facilitates healthcare quality improvement (QI). Education challenges include cost, logistics and defining the optimum staff-engaging method. The purpose of this paper is to determine the optimum QI educational model and measure its impact using plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors established an on-site interdisciplinary QI learning collaborative: weekly 30-minute learning sessions close to the working environment; a learning materials Twitter repository; and junior doctor-led QI work streams aligned with surgical directorate quality goals supported by a mentorship network. Delivery style (lectures, workshops and QI project reporting) and learning session content was planned weekly using PDSA cycles and modified using participant feedback (score 0-10). All surgical directorate QI work streams were measured before and at nine months.
Findings
From May 2014 to February 2015, there were 32 learning sessions with 266 scores (median 12 weekly, range 5-21). Workshop delivery scored the highest (mean score 9.0), followed by live project reports (mean score 8.8). The surgical QI work streams increased threefold from four to 12, including six junior doctor-led projects.
Practical implications
By proactively acting upon feedback, the authors centralised QI measurement and tailored learning sessions to staff needs. Building sustainability involves continually refining learning curriculum and QI work streams, and expanding the mentorship network.
Originality/value
The collaborative was established at no additional cost. Twitter is used to promote meetings, facilitate conversations and act as a learning repository. The mentorship framework builds QI and coaching expertise.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Helen Ryan, Dawn Shoebridge, Marie Kelly, Kate Costello, Yvonne Downey, Des O’Toole and all the Beaumont Hospital staff who contributed to the mentorship network, and the QI interdisciplinary learning collaborative.
Citation
McNamara, D.A., Rafferty, P. and Fitzpatrick, F. (2016), "An improvement model to optimise hospital interdisciplinary learning", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 29 No. 5, pp. 550-558. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-10-2015-0131
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited