Postgraduate courses in quality improvement: achievements and future directions

Since 1996, the Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Newcastle has offered courses in Quality Improvement in Health Care. The courses are offered at Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Masters levels, principally by distance learning. They offer training in research methods as well as the concepts and application of quality improvement. Feedback from students, many of whom are quality coordinators in Australian health care facilities, has been positive. Enrolments are taken mid-year as well as at the beginning of the academic year.