Improving the effectiveness of physician participation in local quality improvement efforts

The authors present five success factors for medical students, residents, and fellows to consider when engaged in quality improvement projects: (1) add value, not work; (2) start small and build; (3) move quickly; (4) adapt, innovate, and collaborate; (5) produce understandable results. Using examples from the Veterans Affairs National Quality Scholars Fellowship Program, they describe how these factors were used successfully. While not the only steps to take, these critical success factors proved helpful in defining the problem to be addressed, engaging leadership, and anticipating the resolution of conflict.