Preparing Future Leaders: An Integrated Quality Improvement Residency Curriculum

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Primary Care Research
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) mandates resident participation in quality improvement (QI) and patient safety.
• Residency training faces competing demands, potentially hindering effective QI and patient safety education.
• Patient-centered medical home (PCMH) models require integrated QI and patient safety activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a longitudinal curriculum for family medicine residents.
• To meet ACGME requirements for QI and patient safety training.
• To align QI and patient safety training with PCMH practices.

Main Methods:

• A 3-year longitudinal curriculum was implemented for Worcester Family Medicine Residency (WFMR) residents.
• Curriculum components included web-based tutorials, QI projects, and small-group sessions.
• Resident self-evaluations and focus groups assessed knowledge, skills, and confidence.

Main Results:

• Residents completing the full 3-year curriculum reported significantly higher self-perceived skills in 9 of 15 assessed areas compared to those finishing PGY2.
• Graduating residents expressed confidence in future leadership roles related to QI and patient safety.
• Five skill areas showed significant improvement compared to prior-year residents.

Conclusions:

• A longitudinal curriculum integrating QI, patient safety, and PCMH goals enhances resident skills and leadership ability.
• Hands-on practice in implementing evidence-based practices improves resident preparedness for primary care.
• This curriculum model effectively addresses ACGME requirements for resident training in QI and patient safety.