Curriculum (12 months)

  1. Formal training, using a structured course approach, includes conducting a minimum of one improvement project with the following goals: To plan, implement, and get results on a specific multi-disciplinary project. The structured quality improvement course at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, the Intermediate Improvement Science Series (12S2) conducted by the James M Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence, includes six 2-day sessions off-site over a 6-month period, as well as work on an improvement project between sessions.
  2. The above coursework and project implementation will focus on key elements such as developing a project aim statement, a key driver diagram, failure mode effects analyses (FMEA), an improvement plan (including PDSA cycles), metrics and the application of lean methodology. The Fellow will also develop skills in the presentation, communication, and implementation of the project with all stakeholders.
  3. Lectures by subject matter experts (departmental and institutional), online courses provided by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement (I HI), and conferences on quality, safety and performance improvement (national and international).
  4. Readings on quality, safety, and performance improvement (see Reading List).
  5. Present/Lead/Participate in CQI meetings, Quality & Safety Committee, and national initiatives/organizations.
  6. Presentation at the national QI methods in pediatric palliative care workshop, hosted by our team.

Deliverables:

  1. Certificate of completion of didactic training and improvement projects
  2. Abstract presentations highlighting the work on the performance improvement projects at the AAHPM, AAP, IHI and/or the National and International Quality Improvement Forums.
  3. Presentation at the National QI Methods in Pediatric Palliative Care Workshop
  4. Submission of peer-reviewed manuscript to an academic journal