Dissemination of Quality Improvement Project Results After Local Presentation

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Knowledge Translation
• Scientific Dissemination

Background:

• Quality Improvement (QI) projects are crucial for healthcare advancement.
• Dissemination of QI project findings beyond local presentations is often limited.
• Understanding factors influencing broader knowledge sharing is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the rate of national/international presentation or publication for locally presented QI projects.
• To identify characteristics of QI projects associated with successful external dissemination.
• To explore QI project leaders' intentions and experiences with dissemination.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 83 QI projects presented locally from 2016-2019.
• Linking projects to subsequent publications or national/international conference presentations.
• Surveying project leaders regarding dissemination intentions, experiences, and satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Only 5 of 83 projects were published; 10 were presented nationally/internationally.
• Fewer project cycles and cost-focused outcomes correlated with higher external dissemination rates.
• Most project leaders desired publication but had mixed views on available support.

Conclusions:

• Wider dissemination of QI project results is infrequent.
• Effective knowledge translation requires proactive, long-term strategies, including early planning, education, and robust support systems.
• Initiating dissemination support early in the QI lifecycle is critical for success.