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More black box to explore: how quality improvement collaboratives shape practice change
Eric K Shaw1, Sabrina M Chase, Jenna Howard
1Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Somerset, NJ08873, USA. shawek@umdnj.edu
Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM
|March 10, 2012
Summary
Quality improvement collaboratives (QICs) empower practice staff to drive change despite resistance. While diverse content engages participants, QIC resources alone do not guarantee practice improvements.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Quality Improvement Science
- Organizational Change Management
Background:
- Quality Improvement Collaboratives (QICs) are widely used in healthcare.
- Limited evidence exists on QIC effectiveness, necessitating deeper understanding of their mechanisms.
- Research is needed to "open up the black box" of QICs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the mechanisms through which Quality Improvement Collaboratives (QICs) facilitate practice change.
- To understand how QICs influence healthcare innovation dissemination.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of audio recordings and field notes from QICs and practice meetings.
- Immersion/crystallization technique applied to data from 5 primary care practices.
- Study focused on a 6-month intervention to improve colorectal cancer screening rates.
Main Results:
- Practice staff gained empowerment from QICs, enabling them to overcome leader/physician resistance.
- A varied mix of content and media within the QIC program was crucial for participant engagement.
- Resources provided by the QIC had minimal direct impact on initiating practice change efforts.
Conclusions:
- QICs can be powerful tools for disseminating healthcare innovations.
- Collaborative environments foster learning, reflection, and sharing among diverse participants.
- Participants can adapt key messages and strategies from QICs to benefit their own organizations.
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