Engaging Physicians in Quality Improvement in a Hospital Setting: A Scoping Review

Health care is at a critical moment. High rates of medical errors and decreasing quality of health care make it crucial that organizations focus on quality improvement (QI). For this work to be successful, it is essential to engage physicians, as they are key decision-makers, leaders, and influencers of care. Despite this fact, few organizations have successfully sustained physician engagement in QI. A scoping review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses model to understand barriers to and strategies for engaging physicians in QI. The most commonly cited strategies were: (1) having engaged and supportive senior leadership and (2) having data support for QI work. Additional strategies included: dedicated time, resources, and education for QI work; financial incentives; clarifying organizational goals; and developing pathways for promotion. A framework was then created to operationalize physician engagement in QI in the organization.