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Dr Thomas Woodcock

Quality improvement methods were first deployed in healthcare in e hospital settings. However, over the past decade particularly, there has been increasing focus on the application of these methods in improving population and public health. In this course, you will apply a combination of both approaches to population health improvement. You will also learn how to study and evaluate large improvement initiatives to capture learning effectively.

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Quality improvement methods were first deployed in healthcare in e hospital settings. However, over the past decade particularly, there has been increasing focus on the application of these methods in improving population and public health. In this course, you will apply a combination of both approaches to population health improvement. You will also learn how to study and evaluate large improvement initiatives to capture learning effectively.

Learning Objectives: 

Apply quality improvement methods in combination with population health frameworks to design a population health improvement initiative 

Understand how the use of geographic information systems contributes to quality improvement 

Critique different study designs for studying quality improvement initiatives 

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What's inside

Syllabus

Quality Improvement and Population Health – part I
In this module you will contrast quality improvement methods with population health frameworks. You will also learn about the use of geographic information systems in quality improvement, along with the importance of good data visualisation. You will learn how to use funnel plots to understand variation in measures across organisations, units or geographies.
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Quality Improvement and Population Health – part II
In this module you will study a well-known example of failings in a healthcare system, and the subsequent investigations and reports into what happened, thinking about parallels in population health. You will study published examples of quality improvement methods applied to population and public health improvement, reflecting on how lessons learnt in quality and safety might be applied in this context.
Study Designs for Quality Improvement at Scale
In this module you will be given an overview of study designs for studying QI initiatives, including large national initiatives, with a focus on designs that optimise learning for future improvement. You will also reflect on the priorities and future directions for research in QI.
Capstone project: Designing a Population Health Quality Improvement Initiative
In this module, you will work on the capstone project of the specialisation. You will bring together what you have learnt across the three courses; from quality improvement methods, through evaluation designs for improvement initiatives, to improving population health. You will plan your own improvement initiative, tackling an important population health issue, and select methods suited to the problem.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Course can be used to plan for healthcare improvement initiatives on a population level
Teaches the use of geographic information systems, which is used in population health improvement
Develops both quality improvement and population health skills, which are core skills for implementing changes for population health
Taught by Dr Thomas Woodcock, who is recognized for their work in surgery and surgical education
Examines quality improvement methods and frameworks used in population health improvement

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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 Quality Improvement for Population Health with these activities:
Review healthcare quality improvement methods
Reviewing healthcare quality improvement methods will provide a solid foundation for understanding the course content.
Show steps
  • Review articles on quality improvement in healthcare
  • Attend a webinar or online course on quality improvement
  • Read a book on quality improvement in healthcare
Review Key Quality Improvement Concepts
Reinforce your understanding of the fundamental concepts of quality improvement, such as the Donabedian model, to provide a strong foundation for the course.
Browse courses on Quality Improvement
Show steps
  • Review notes and textbooks from previous courses or readings on quality improvement concepts.
  • Complete practice exercises or quizzes to test your knowledge of key terms and principles.
  • Participate in online discussions or forums to engage with other learners and discuss quality improvement concepts.
Read "Improving Healthcare Quality" by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Gain insights into the latest research and best practices in healthcare quality improvement by reading this comprehensive book.
Show steps
  • Read through each chapter, taking notes on key findings and recommendations.
  • Summarize the main points of each chapter in your own words.
  • Identify specific examples of quality improvement initiatives described in the book and analyze their relevance to your own practice.
Eight other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 11 activities
Attend Healthcare Quality Conferences or Webinars
Engage with professionals in the field, learn about cutting-edge research, and expand your network by attending healthcare quality conferences or webinars.
Show steps
  • Research and identify relevant conferences or webinars.
  • Register and attend the events.
  • Actively participate in discussions and networking sessions.
  • Follow up with new connections and explore potential collaborations.
Follow tutorials on study designs for quality improvement
Following tutorials on study designs will prepare students to design and evaluate quality improvement initiatives.
Show steps
  • Identify different study designs for quality improvement
  • Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different study designs
  • Select a study design for a specific quality improvement initiative
Apply QI Methods to Real-world Scenarios
Enhance your problem-solving skills by applying quality improvement methods to real-world scenarios, fostering critical thinking and practical application.
Show steps
  • Select a healthcare quality issue or problem to focus on.
  • Apply the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle to develop and implement a quality improvement intervention.
  • Collect and analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.
  • Refine and iterate the intervention based on the evaluation results.
Collaborate with Peers on QI Projects
Enhance your understanding and skills through collaboration. Work with peers to develop and implement quality improvement projects, providing diverse perspectives and support.
Show steps
  • Identify a quality improvement project to work on.
  • Form a team with complementary skills and interests.
  • Plan and execute the project, regularly seeking feedback and sharing responsibilities.
  • Reflect on the project outcomes and identify areas for improvement.
Develop Educational Materials on Quality Improvement
Enhance your understanding and share your knowledge by creating educational materials on quality improvement, such as presentations, infographics, or blog posts.
Show steps
  • Identify a specific topic or aspect of quality improvement to focus on.
  • Research and gather relevant information from reliable sources.
  • Organize and present the information in a clear and engaging manner.
  • Share your materials with others through online platforms or presentations.
Contribute to Quality Improvement Software or Initiatives
Gain hands-on experience and contribute to the broader quality improvement community by participating in open-source projects or initiatives.
Show steps
  • Identify open-source software or initiatives related to quality improvement.
  • Review the documentation and codebase to understand the project.
  • Identify areas where you can contribute, such as bug fixes, feature enhancements, or documentation improvements.
  • Submit your contributions and engage with the project community.
Develop a population health quality improvement initiative
Developing a population health quality improvement initiative will apply the concepts and methods learned in the course.
Show steps
  • Identify a population health issue to address
  • Develop an improvement goal
  • Create an improvement plan
  • Implement the improvement plan
  • Evaluate the impact of the improvement plan
Plan and Implement a Quality Improvement Project
Apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout the course by planning and implementing a comprehensive quality improvement project, demonstrating your ability to drive real-world improvements.
Show steps
  • Identify a significant quality issue or problem to address.
  • Develop a detailed project plan outlining the goals, methods, and evaluation criteria.
  • Implement the project and monitor its progress regularly.
  • Evaluate the project outcomes and make recommendations for improvement.
  • Disseminate the project findings and share lessons learned with others.

Career center

Learners who complete Quality Improvement for Population Health will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Population Health Project Manager
A Population Health Project Manager helps to design, implement, and evaluate population health initiatives. These initiatives are aimed at improving the health of a population by addressing the social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to health disparities. The Quality Improvement for Population Health course provides a strong foundation for this role by teaching students how to use quality improvement methods to design and evaluate population health initiatives. The course also covers the use of geographic information systems in quality improvement, which is an important tool for understanding the distribution of health outcomes and identifying areas that need improvement.
Health Policy Analyst
A Health Policy Analyst develops and analyzes health policy. This policy can be aimed at improving the health of a population, reducing health care costs, or ensuring access to quality health care. The Quality Improvement for Population Health course provides a strong foundation for this role by teaching students how to use quality improvement methods to evaluate the effectiveness of health policy. The course also covers the use of geographic information systems in quality improvement, which is an important tool for understanding the distribution of health outcomes and identifying areas that need improvement.
Public Health Analyst
A Public Health Analyst collects and analyzes data to identify and address public health problems. This data can be used to develop and evaluate public health programs and policies. The Quality Improvement for Population Health course provides a strong foundation for this role by teaching students how to use quality improvement methods to study and evaluate public health initiatives. The course also covers the use of geographic information systems in quality improvement, which is an important tool for understanding the distribution of health outcomes and identifying areas that need improvement.
Health Care Consultant
A Health Care Consultant provides advice to health care organizations on how to improve their quality of care. This advice can be based on quality improvement methods, data analysis, or research. The Quality Improvement for Population Health course provides a strong foundation for this role by teaching students how to use quality improvement methods to design and evaluate population health initiatives. The course also covers the use of geographic information systems in quality improvement, which is an important tool for understanding the distribution of health outcomes and identifying areas that need improvement.
Health Care Administrator
A Health Care Administrator manages the day-to-day operations of a health care organization. This can include overseeing the budget, hiring staff, and ensuring compliance with regulations. The Quality Improvement for Population Health course may be useful for this role by teaching students how to use quality improvement methods to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of health care organizations.
Health Educator
A Health Educator teaches people about health and wellness. This can include teaching about healthy eating, exercise, and disease prevention. The Quality Improvement for Population Health course may be useful for this role by teaching students how to use quality improvement methods to develop and evaluate health education programs.
Medical Writer
A Medical Writer writes about health and medical topics. This writing can be used for a variety of purposes, such as patient education, marketing, and research. The Quality Improvement for Population Health course may be useful for this role by teaching students how to write about complex health topics in a clear and concise way.
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
A Pharmaceutical Sales Representative sells prescription drugs to doctors and other health care providers. This role involves educating providers about the benefits of the drugs and helping them to make decisions about which drugs to prescribe. The Quality Improvement for Population Health course may be useful for this role by teaching students about the different types of drugs available and how they are used to treat different diseases.
Quality Assurance Specialist
A Quality Assurance Specialist ensures that products meet a set of quality standards. This role can involve testing products, inspecting production processes, and developing quality improvement plans. The Quality Improvement for Population Health course may be useful for this role by teaching students about quality improvement methods and how to apply them in a manufacturing setting.
Research Scientist
A Research Scientist conducts research to develop new knowledge about a particular topic. This research can be used to develop new products, treatments, or policies. The Quality Improvement for Population Health course may be useful for this role by teaching students how to design and conduct research studies.
Statistician
A Statistician collects, analyzes, and interprets data. This data can be used to make informed decisions about a variety of topics, such as public health, economics, and business. The Quality Improvement for Population Health course may be useful for this role by teaching students how to use statistical methods to analyze data and draw conclusions.
Teacher
A Teacher teaches students about a particular subject. This can include teaching at a school, a college, or a university. The Quality Improvement for Population Health course may be useful for this role by teaching students how to develop and deliver effective lesson plans.
Writer
A Writer writes for a variety of purposes, such as entertainment, education, and marketing. The Quality Improvement for Population Health course may be useful for this role by teaching students how to write effectively about complex topics.
Accountant
An Accountant prepares and examines financial records. This role can involve preparing tax returns, auditing financial statements, and providing financial advice. The Quality Improvement for Population Health course is not likely to be useful for this role.
Lawyer
A Lawyer provides legal advice and represents clients in court. The Quality Improvement for Population Health course is not likely to be useful for this role.

Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Quality Improvement for Population Health.
This report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine provides an overview of the challenges and opportunities involved in learning from large-scale quality improvement initiatives. It would be a valuable resource for students who want to learn more about how to design and evaluate such initiatives.
Provides an overview of the methods used to measure the health of populations, with a focus on using data to track and evaluate population health outcomes.
Provides a look at the future of healthcare, with a focus on the role of technology in transforming healthcare delivery.

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