Advancing Professionalism Through a Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Workshop in Radiation Oncology

Integrating a practice-based curriculum to cover essential aspects of patient safety and quality improvement (PSQI) in the outpatient setting can improve resident understanding and engagement in future projects within a radiation oncology residency program.

To develop and pilot a workshop-based PSQI curriculum to lead residents through a simulated departmental quality improvement project and enhance understanding regarding tools and metrics used within a PSQI framework.

This pilot project was completed in the 2023-2024 academic year, with 13 residents in one radiation oncology program. This educational program included four two-hour interactive PSQI workshops. Residents applied PSQI tools to a simulated scenario that reflected a department priority: to improve time from computed-tomography simulation to adaptive radiation therapy. Residents completed a 5-point Likert survey and an institutionally developed PSQI in-training exam before and after receiving the program to evaluate understanding of key concepts, measurement methodologies, strategies for improvement, and attitudes towards the adoption of PSQI in clinical practice.

The pilot workshop was successfully implemented during resident didactics. Although all thirteen residents were able to participate, eight (62%) residents completed all questionnaires. The curriculum led to improved comfort levels in applying PSQI techniques such as fishbone diagrams (pre-post mean Likert scores: 1.7 to 3.7, p< 0.01). PSQI in-training test scores significantly increased by 13% (57% to 70%, p<0.01).

The development and implementation of a PSQI curriculum in radiation oncology was feasible, improved baseline knowledge of PSQI techniques, and enhanced participant self-reported preparedness and skills for future PSQI projects.