1
|
Stevenson K, Thor J, D'Eon M, Headrick L, Andersson Gäre B. From Theory to Practice: The Enacted Curriculum of a Successful Master's Program in Quality Improvement and Leadership. THE JOURNAL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS 2023; 43:234-240. [PMID: 37092547 PMCID: PMC10664796 DOI: 10.1097/ceh.0000000000000463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Blended learning has taken on new prominence in the fields of higher and continuing education, especially as programs have shifted in response to teaching in a global pandemic. The faculty at the Jönköping Academy's Masters in Quality Improvement and Leadership program has been offering a blended learning curriculum, based on four core design principles, since 2009. We studied key features of the enacted curriculum to understand conditions that can support an effective blended learning model. METHODS We used a case study approach underpinned by interactive research. Document analysis, a focus group, individual interviews, and stimulated recall interviews were used for data collection. Themes were identified through qualitative content analysis and data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. RESULTS We grouped data into six emergent themes that clarify the enacted curriculum of an established Master's program: focusing on a common purpose, developing technical and relational knowledge and skills, linking theory and practice in the workplace, leveraging collaboration for mutual benefit, concentrating on leadership and coaching, and applying a blended and interprofessional learning model. CONCLUSION Educators faced with increased demands to be flexible and to offer opportunities for distance education can learn from this case example of effective teaching of quality improvement and leadership in a blended format.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Stevenson
- Ms. Stevenson: Is a Doctoral Candidate, the Jönköping Academy for the Improvement of Health and Welfare, at the School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden and Clinical Assistant Professor at the School of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Dr. Thor: Is Associate Professor, the Jönköping Academy for the Improvement of Health and Welfare, at the School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden. Dr. D'Eon: Is Emerita Professor, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada and Director, Educational Innovation Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA. Dr. Headrick: Is Emerita Professor, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. Dr. Andersson Gäre: Is Professor, the Jönköping Academy for the Improvement of Health and Welfare, at the School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden and Research Strategist, Futurum, Region Jönköping County, Sweden
| | - Johan Thor
- Ms. Stevenson: Is a Doctoral Candidate, the Jönköping Academy for the Improvement of Health and Welfare, at the School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden and Clinical Assistant Professor at the School of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Dr. Thor: Is Associate Professor, the Jönköping Academy for the Improvement of Health and Welfare, at the School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden. Dr. D'Eon: Is Emerita Professor, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada and Director, Educational Innovation Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA. Dr. Headrick: Is Emerita Professor, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. Dr. Andersson Gäre: Is Professor, the Jönköping Academy for the Improvement of Health and Welfare, at the School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden and Research Strategist, Futurum, Region Jönköping County, Sweden
| | - Marcel D'Eon
- Ms. Stevenson: Is a Doctoral Candidate, the Jönköping Academy for the Improvement of Health and Welfare, at the School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden and Clinical Assistant Professor at the School of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Dr. Thor: Is Associate Professor, the Jönköping Academy for the Improvement of Health and Welfare, at the School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden. Dr. D'Eon: Is Emerita Professor, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada and Director, Educational Innovation Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA. Dr. Headrick: Is Emerita Professor, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. Dr. Andersson Gäre: Is Professor, the Jönköping Academy for the Improvement of Health and Welfare, at the School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden and Research Strategist, Futurum, Region Jönköping County, Sweden
| | - Linda Headrick
- Ms. Stevenson: Is a Doctoral Candidate, the Jönköping Academy for the Improvement of Health and Welfare, at the School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden and Clinical Assistant Professor at the School of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Dr. Thor: Is Associate Professor, the Jönköping Academy for the Improvement of Health and Welfare, at the School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden. Dr. D'Eon: Is Emerita Professor, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada and Director, Educational Innovation Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA. Dr. Headrick: Is Emerita Professor, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. Dr. Andersson Gäre: Is Professor, the Jönköping Academy for the Improvement of Health and Welfare, at the School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden and Research Strategist, Futurum, Region Jönköping County, Sweden
| | - Boel Andersson Gäre
- Ms. Stevenson: Is a Doctoral Candidate, the Jönköping Academy for the Improvement of Health and Welfare, at the School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden and Clinical Assistant Professor at the School of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Dr. Thor: Is Associate Professor, the Jönköping Academy for the Improvement of Health and Welfare, at the School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden. Dr. D'Eon: Is Emerita Professor, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada and Director, Educational Innovation Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA. Dr. Headrick: Is Emerita Professor, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. Dr. Andersson Gäre: Is Professor, the Jönköping Academy for the Improvement of Health and Welfare, at the School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden and Research Strategist, Futurum, Region Jönköping County, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Akmal A, Podgorodnichenko N, Stokes T, Foote J, Greatbanks R, Gauld R. What makes an effective Quality Improvement Manager? A qualitative study in the New Zealand Health System. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:50. [PMID: 35012524 PMCID: PMC8751312 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-07433-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Quality improvement is an international priority, and health organisations invest heavily in this endeavour. Little, however, is known of the role and perspectives of Quality Improvement Managers who are responsible for quality improvement implementation. We explored the quality improvement managers' accounts of what competencies and qualities they require to achieve day-to-day and long-term quality improvement objectives. DESIGN Qualitative exploratory design using an interpretivist approach with semi-structured interviews analysed thematically. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Interviews were conducted with 56 quality improvement managers from 15 (out of 20) New Zealand District Health Boards. Participants were divided into two groups: traditional and clinical quality improvement managers. The former group consisted of those with formal quality improvement education-typically operations managers or process engineers. The latter group was represented by clinical staff-physicians and nurses-who received on-the-job training. RESULTS Three themes were identified: quality improvement expertise, leadership competencies and interpersonal competencies. Effective quality improvement managers require quality improvement experience and expertise in healthcare environments. They require leadership competencies including sense-giving, taking a long-term view and systems thinking. They also require interpersonal competencies including approachability, trustworthiness and supportiveness. Traditional and clinical quality improvement managers attributed different value to these characteristics with traditional quality improvement managers emphasising leadership competencies and interpersonal skills more than clinical quality improvement managers. CONCLUSIONS We differentiate between traditional and clinical quality improvement managers, and suggest how both groups can be better prepared to be effective in their roles. Both groups require a comprehensive socialisation and training process designed to meet specific learning needs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adeel Akmal
- Department of General Practice and Rural Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. .,Centre for Health Systems and Technology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
| | - Nataliya Podgorodnichenko
- Centre for Health Systems and Technology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,DBA, Otago Business School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Tim Stokes
- Department of General Practice and Rural Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Centre for Health Systems and Technology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Jeff Foote
- Department of Management, Otago Business School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Richard Greatbanks
- Department of Management, Otago Business School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Robin Gauld
- Centre for Health Systems and Technology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Dean's Office, Otago Business School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|