Impact of Clinical Process Improvement Training in an Integrated Delivery System.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Quality Improvement Science
• Organizational Learning

Background:

• Integrated health systems utilize frontline staff training for quality and process improvement.
• Optimal methods for assessing training success in healthcare are not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the short-term and long-term impact of the Partners Clinical Process Improvement Leadership Program.
• To determine the effectiveness of frontline staff training in fostering quality improvement capabilities within healthcare systems.

Main Methods:

• Assessed short-term impact by analyzing project presentation data from 14 training courses (2010-2016).
• Evaluated long-term impact through a graduate survey of program alumni.
• Analyzed data from 262 interprofessional teams and 231 surveyed graduates.

Main Results:

• 69% of teams achieved short-term improvement, with 30% fully achieving and 39% demonstrating progress toward project goals.
• Projects implementing two or more interventions showed higher success rates.
• 79% of graduates reported enhanced leadership skills, and 67% engaged in additional quality improvement projects, with 97% noting positive career impact.

Conclusions:

• Clinical process improvement leadership training effectively meets immediate improvement needs.
• Such training fosters a sustainable, long-term capacity for quality improvement and supports the development of learning health systems.
• Hospital leadership support is crucial for maximizing the benefits of process improvement training.