One Dorset practice's experience of using a quality improvement approach to practice professional development...

There has been considerable discussion on and recommendation of the idea that Practice Professional Development Plans (PPDPs) should develop the whole practice as a healthcare resource, integrating and improving the educational process. In this study the PPDP concept was launched in a practice in Dorset, following the Bournemouth PPDP framework. The practice linked the educational activities of individuals, small working groups and the whole team to meeting the needs of the patients using a continuous quality improvement approach. The learning needs of the practice team were identified and learning actions were planned leading to a better response to patients' needs.