Introduction to Quality Improvement in Healthcare from Coursera

This course introduces you to the concepts, theories and application of Quality Improvement (QI) in healthcare from a global perspective. You will hear from patients, clinicians and academics what quality improvement means to them, and how they work together to deliver change. Studying the challenges, they faced and strategies they utilised to overcome those challenges, you will learn to apply and critique core QI methods, from experts in the field.

By the end of this module you will be able to:

1. Recognise the characteristics of different approaches to quality improvement in order to critique them and make decisions as to when to deploy them.

2. Explain the necessary components of a structured approach to quality improvement in order to apply key quality improvement methods to support the planning, design, implementation and evaluation of improvement efforts.

What's inside

Syllabus

Healthcare Quality and Quality Improvement

In this module you will learn what is meant by quality in healthcare and why quality improvement is needed, and gain a high level appreciation for some important approaches to quality improvement. You will hear from a patient perspective about the implications of poor quality healthcare, and see some evidence of the global scale of the problem. You will learn about a well-studied example of a quality improvement initiative, the Michigan Keystone project. In addition, you will participate in activities to enable you to reflect on your own knowledge and experience of quality, and quality improvement, in health and care systems.

Engaging and Empowering Stakeholders with a Shared Vision

In this second module of the course you will be introduced to stakeholder engagement and empowerment including the importance of community, patient and public involvement. You will engage with lived experiences of service users and communities working together with clinicians and academics to improve health and healthcare. You will learn about the importance of good leadership and building a shared vision, and how to practically develop a programme theory for improvement through the Action Effect method.

Healthcare Processes: Mapping and Implementing Changes

This third module provides an introduction to process mapping and the Plan-Do-Study-Act Cycle as tools to support QI in practice. These methods are core in many approaches to improvement, used to understand and then improve processes of care. You will hear from experts in the field about their use of these methods, and their experiences leading quality improvement in practice, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. You will learn about challenges they encountered and strategies they used to overcome them.

Long Term Success and the Importance of Context

In this fourth module you will consider issues relating to the long term success of improvement initiatives – what influences whether improvement is sustained once achieved? You will apply an evidence-based tool promoting long term success to example QI initiatives. The context in which an improvement initiative takes place has a significant impact on both implementation and outcomes. Considering two contrasting case studies, one set in rural Guatemala and one in the USA, you will learn how to identify different elements of context and their interaction. In the later part of the module you will learn about common challenges and obstacles that QI teams face when designing and implementing their QI projects, including the role of fidelity in the application of quality improvement methods.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their quality improvement skills

Provides a structured approach to quality improvement, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder engagement and process mapping

Led by experienced instructors in the field of quality improvement in healthcare

Emphasizes the importance of context and sustainability in successful quality improvement initiatives

Provides practical examples and case studies from various healthcare settings

Assumes prior knowledge of healthcare quality and quality improvement concepts

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Quality Improvement in Healthcare with these activities:

Attend a Healthcare Quality Conference

Show steps

Expand your knowledge and network by attending a conference focused on healthcare quality and quality improvement.

Browse courses on Healthcare Quality

Show steps

Research and identify relevant conferences.
Register for the conference and plan your attendance.
Attend keynote speeches and presentations on current trends and best practices.
Participate in workshops and discussions to engage with experts and peers.
Connect with professionals in the field and exchange ideas.

Volunteer at a Healthcare Quality Improvement Organization

Show steps

Gain practical experience and contribute to quality improvement efforts in a real-world setting.

Browse courses on Healthcare Quality

Show steps

Identify and contact relevant healthcare quality improvement organizations.
Inquire about volunteer opportunities and eligibility requirements.
Attend orientation and training sessions.
Participate in quality improvement projects or initiatives.
Reflect on your experiences and identify areas for personal and professional growth.

Process Mapping Exercises

Show steps

Gain hands-on practice in process mapping to understand and improve healthcare processes.

Browse courses on Process Mapping

Show steps

Identify a healthcare process to map.
Gather necessary data and information.
Create a visual representation of the process using a process mapping tool.
Analyze the process for inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
Develop recommendations for process improvement.

Three other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all six activities

Data Analysis for Quality Improvement Workshop

Show steps

Enhance your data analysis skills specifically for quality improvement initiatives.

Show steps

Identify and register for a relevant workshop.
Review pre-workshop materials and prepare any necessary data.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in hands-on exercises.
Apply the learned techniques to analyze data for quality improvement purposes.
Share your findings and insights with fellow participants.

Contribute to the Quality Improvement Open Source Project

Show steps

Gain practical experience in quality improvement by contributing to an open-source project.

Show steps

Identify a specific area or issue within the project that aligns with your interests and skills.
Review the project documentation and codebase.
Propose a change or improvement to the project.
Collaborate with other contributors to refine and implement your proposal.
Test and evaluate the impact of your contribution.

Develop a Quality Improvement Plan for a Specific Healthcare Setting

Show steps

Apply your learning by creating a comprehensive quality improvement plan for a real-world healthcare setting.

Show steps

Select a specific healthcare setting and identify an area for improvement.
Conduct a needs assessment and gather relevant data.
Develop a quality improvement aim and specific objectives.
Design and implement an intervention plan.
Monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of the intervention.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Quality Improvement in Healthcare will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Quality Improvement Specialist

A Quality Improvement Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing quality improvement programs in healthcare organizations. They may work on a variety of projects, such as improving patient safety, reducing healthcare costs, or improving patient satisfaction. This course may be useful to Quality Improvement Specialists by providing them with a strong foundation in quality improvement methods and techniques. This knowledge can help them to develop and implement effective quality improvement programs that lead to better patient care and outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Improvement Specialist

Patient Safety Officer

A Patient Safety Officer is responsible for developing and implementing patient safety programs in healthcare organizations. They may work on a variety of projects, such as improving medication safety, reducing falls, or preventing infections. This course may be useful to Patient Safety Officers by providing them with a strong foundation in quality improvement methods and techniques. This knowledge can help them to develop and implement effective patient safety programs that lead to better patient care and outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Patient Safety Officer

Healthcare Quality Manager

A Healthcare Quality Manager is responsible for developing and implementing quality improvement programs in healthcare organizations. They may work on a variety of projects, such as improving patient safety, reducing healthcare costs, or improving patient satisfaction. This course may be useful to Healthcare Quality Managers by providing them with a strong foundation in quality improvement methods and techniques. This knowledge can help them to develop and implement effective quality improvement programs that lead to better patient care and outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Quality Manager

Healthcare Research Scientist

A Healthcare Research Scientist conducts research to improve the quality and effectiveness of healthcare delivery. They may work on a variety of topics, such as developing new treatments, improving patient safety, or reducing healthcare costs. This course may be useful to Healthcare Research Scientists by providing them with a strong foundation in quality improvement methods and techniques. This knowledge can help them to design and conduct research studies that lead to meaningful improvements in patient care and outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Research Scientist

Healthcare Policy Analyst

A Healthcare Policy Analyst researches and analyzes healthcare policies and programs to assess their impact on patient care and outcomes. They may work for government agencies, think tanks, or healthcare organizations. This course may be useful to Healthcare Policy Analysts by providing them with a strong foundation in quality improvement methods and techniques. This knowledge can help them to better understand the factors that influence healthcare quality, and to develop effective policies and programs to improve patient care and outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Policy Analyst

Public Health Manager

A Public Health Manager is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating public health programs. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies. This course may be useful to Public Health Managers by providing them with a strong foundation in quality improvement methods and techniques. This knowledge can help them to develop and implement effective public health programs that lead to better community health outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Manager

Healthcare Consultant

A Healthcare Consultant provides advice and guidance to healthcare organizations on how to improve their operations and performance. They may work on a variety of projects, such as developing new quality improvement programs, implementing new technologies, or improving patient safety. This course may be useful to Healthcare Consultants by providing them with a strong foundation in quality improvement methods and techniques. This knowledge can help them to better understand the challenges and opportunities facing healthcare organizations, and to develop effective solutions to improve patient care and outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Consultant

Medical Director

A Medical Director is responsible for the overall medical care of patients in a hospital, clinic, or other healthcare facility. They may also be responsible for overseeing the quality of care provided by other physicians and healthcare professionals. This course may be useful to Medical Directors by providing them with a strong foundation in quality improvement methods and techniques. This knowledge can help them to identify and address areas for improvement in their facilities, leading to better patient care and outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Director

Risk Manager

A Risk Manager is responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks in healthcare organizations. They may work on a variety of projects, such as developing risk management plans, implementing safety protocols, or conducting risk assessments. This course may be useful to Risk Managers by providing them with a strong foundation in quality improvement methods and techniques. This knowledge can help them to identify and mitigate risks that could lead to adverse patient outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Statistician

A Statistician collects, analyzes, and interprets data to solve problems. They may work in a variety of fields, such as healthcare, finance, or marketing. This course may be useful to Statisticians by providing them with a strong foundation in quality improvement methods and techniques. This knowledge can help them to design and conduct studies that lead to meaningful improvements in patient care and outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Nurse Manager

A Nurse Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a nursing unit in a hospital, clinic, or other healthcare facility. They may also be responsible for overseeing the quality of care provided by nurses and other healthcare professionals. This course may be useful to Nurse Managers by providing them with a strong foundation in quality improvement methods and techniques. This knowledge can help them to identify and address areas for improvement in their units, leading to better patient care and outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nurse Manager

Systems Analyst

A Systems Analyst designs and implements computer systems to solve business problems. They may work in a variety of industries, such as healthcare, finance, or manufacturing. This course may be useful to Systems Analysts by providing them with a strong foundation in quality improvement methods and techniques. This knowledge can help them to design and implement systems that meet the needs of users and improve organizational performance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Social Worker

A Social Worker provides support and services to individuals and families who are facing challenges. They may work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, schools, or social service agencies. This course may be useful to Social Workers by providing them with a strong foundation in quality improvement methods and techniques. This knowledge can help them to develop and implement effective programs and services that meet the needs of their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Healthcare Administrator

A Healthcare Administrator oversees the daily operations of a hospital, clinic, or other healthcare facility. They are responsible for ensuring that the facility runs smoothly, efficiently, and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. This course may be useful to Healthcare Administrators by providing them with a foundation in quality improvement methods and techniques. This knowledge can help them to identify and address areas for improvement in their facilities, leading to better patient care and outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Administrator

Physician

A Physician is a licensed healthcare professional who provides medical care to patients. They may work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, or private practices. This course may be useful to Physicians by providing them with a strong foundation in quality improvement methods and techniques. This knowledge can help them to improve the quality of care they provide to their patients, leading to better patient outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physician