Effectiveness of a quality improvement curriculum for medical students

Introduction: As health systems find ways to improve quality of care, medical training programs are finding opportunities to prepare learners on principles of quality improvement (QI). The impact of QI curricula for medical students as measured by student learning is not well delineated. The aim of...

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Main Authors: Kimberly M. Tartaglia, Curt Walker
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2015-05-01
Series:Medical Education Online
Subjects:
Online Access:http://med-ed-online.net/index.php/meo/article/view/27133/pdf_29
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author Kimberly M. Tartaglia
Curt Walker
author_facet Kimberly M. Tartaglia
Curt Walker
author_sort Kimberly M. Tartaglia
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: As health systems find ways to improve quality of care, medical training programs are finding opportunities to prepare learners on principles of quality improvement (QI). The impact of QI curricula for medical students as measured by student learning is not well delineated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a QI curriculum for senior medical students as measured by student knowledge and skills. Methods: This study was an observational study that involved a self-assessment and post-test Quality Improvement Knowledge Application Tool (QIKAT) for intervention and control students. A QI curriculum consisting of online modules, live discussions, independent readings and reflective writing, and participation in a mentored QI project was offered to fourth-year medical students completing an honor's elective (intervention group). Senior medical students who received the standard QI curriculum only were recruited as controls. Results: A total of 22 intervention students and 12 control students completed the self-assessment and QIKAT. At baseline, there was no difference between groups in self-reported prior exposure to QI principles. Students in the intervention group reported more comfort with their skills in QI overall and in 9 of the 12 domains (p<0.05). Additionally, intervention students performed better in each of the three case scenarios (p<0.01). Discussion: A brief QI curriculum for senior medical students results in improved comfort and knowledge with QI principles. The strengths of our curriculum include effective use of classroom time and faculty mentorship with reliance on pre-existing online modules and written resources. Additionally, the curriculum is easily expandable to larger groups of students and transferable to other institutions.
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spelling doaj.art-05f101cd185447c49ae0108c78f1b8912022-12-22T00:53:05ZengTaylor & Francis GroupMedical Education Online1087-29812015-05-012001510.3402/meo.v20.2713327133Effectiveness of a quality improvement curriculum for medical studentsKimberly M. Tartaglia0Curt Walker1Department of Internal Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USAIntroduction: As health systems find ways to improve quality of care, medical training programs are finding opportunities to prepare learners on principles of quality improvement (QI). The impact of QI curricula for medical students as measured by student learning is not well delineated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a QI curriculum for senior medical students as measured by student knowledge and skills. Methods: This study was an observational study that involved a self-assessment and post-test Quality Improvement Knowledge Application Tool (QIKAT) for intervention and control students. A QI curriculum consisting of online modules, live discussions, independent readings and reflective writing, and participation in a mentored QI project was offered to fourth-year medical students completing an honor's elective (intervention group). Senior medical students who received the standard QI curriculum only were recruited as controls. Results: A total of 22 intervention students and 12 control students completed the self-assessment and QIKAT. At baseline, there was no difference between groups in self-reported prior exposure to QI principles. Students in the intervention group reported more comfort with their skills in QI overall and in 9 of the 12 domains (p<0.05). Additionally, intervention students performed better in each of the three case scenarios (p<0.01). Discussion: A brief QI curriculum for senior medical students results in improved comfort and knowledge with QI principles. The strengths of our curriculum include effective use of classroom time and faculty mentorship with reliance on pre-existing online modules and written resources. Additionally, the curriculum is easily expandable to larger groups of students and transferable to other institutions.http://med-ed-online.net/index.php/meo/article/view/27133/pdf_29medical education-systems-based practicemedical education-practice-based learningquality improvement
spellingShingle Kimberly M. Tartaglia
Curt Walker
Effectiveness of a quality improvement curriculum for medical students
Medical Education Online
medical education-systems-based practice
medical education-practice-based learning
quality improvement
title Effectiveness of a quality improvement curriculum for medical students
title_full Effectiveness of a quality improvement curriculum for medical students
title_fullStr Effectiveness of a quality improvement curriculum for medical students
title_full_unstemmed Effectiveness of a quality improvement curriculum for medical students
title_short Effectiveness of a quality improvement curriculum for medical students
title_sort effectiveness of a quality improvement curriculum for medical students
topic medical education-systems-based practice
medical education-practice-based learning
quality improvement
url http://med-ed-online.net/index.php/meo/article/view/27133/pdf_29
work_keys_str_mv AT kimberlymtartaglia effectivenessofaqualityimprovementcurriculumformedicalstudents
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