Creating a Framework to Integrate Residency Program and Medical Center Approaches to Quality Improvement and Patient...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Patient Safety
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) are essential components of Graduate Medical Education (GME).
• Existing challenges in GME include resource limitations, faculty expertise gaps, and fragmented QIPS programs.
• Effective integration of QIPS training within residency programs is crucial for improving patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel framework for integrated QIPS training within the University of Washington Internal Medicine Residency Program.
• To demonstrate how this framework enhances resident learning and contributes to institutional QIPS goals.
• To provide a scalable model for other GME institutions.

Main Methods:

• Established a dedicated QIPS chief resident and assistant program director for health systems role.
• Developed a formal, progressive QIPS curriculum integrated with medical center initiatives.
• Incorporated patient safety event reporting, methodology training, case reviews, and leadership of QI projects.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated significant improvements in trainee attitudes, knowledge, and behavior related to QIPS.
• Showcased substantial contributions to the medical center's QIPS work.
• Highlighted the framework's success in integrating training programs and medical centers across specialties.

Conclusions:

• The integrated QIPS training framework effectively enhanced resident education and operational QIPS efforts.
• This specialty-agnostic model fosters collaboration between training programs and healthcare institutions.
• The framework serves as a replicable model for advancing QIPS in graduate medical education nationwide.