Implementation and evaluation of an elective quality improvement curriculum for preclinical students: a prospective controlled study
Abstract Background Quality improvement (QI) is a systematic approach to improving healthcare delivery with applications across all fields of medicine. However, exposure to QI is minimal in early medical education. We evaluated the effectiveness of an elective QI curriculum in teaching preclinical h...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Education |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04047-0 |
| _version_ | 1811175836807593984 |
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| author | Jacqueline V. Aredo Jack B. Ding Cara H. Lai Richard Trimble Rebecca A. Bromley-Dulfano Rita A. Popat Lisa Shieh |
| author_facet | Jacqueline V. Aredo Jack B. Ding Cara H. Lai Richard Trimble Rebecca A. Bromley-Dulfano Rita A. Popat Lisa Shieh |
| author_sort | Jacqueline V. Aredo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Quality improvement (QI) is a systematic approach to improving healthcare delivery with applications across all fields of medicine. However, exposure to QI is minimal in early medical education. We evaluated the effectiveness of an elective QI curriculum in teaching preclinical health professional students foundational QI concepts. Methods This prospective controlled cohort study was conducted at a single academic institution. The elective QI curriculum consisted of web-based video didactics and exercises, supplemented with in-person classroom discussions. An optional hospital-based QI project was offered. Assessments included pre- and post-intervention surveys evaluating QI skills and beliefs and attitudes, quizzes, and Quality Improvement Knowledge Application Tool-Revised (QIKAT-R) cases. Within-group pre-post and between-group comparisons were performed using descriptive statistics. Results Overall, 57 preclinical medical or physician assistant students participated under the QI curriculum group (N = 27) or control group (N = 30). Twenty-three (85%) curriculum students completed a QI project. Mean quiz scores were significantly improved in the curriculum group from pre- to post-assessment (Quiz 1: 2.0, P < 0.001; Quiz 2: 1.7, P = 0.002), and the mean differences significantly differed from those in the control group (Quiz 1: P < 0.001; Quiz 2: P = 0.010). QIKAT-R scores also significantly differed among the curriculum group versus controls (P = 0.012). In the curriculum group, students had improvements in their confidence with all 10 QI skills assessed, including 8 that were significantly improved from pre- to post-assessment, and 4 with significant between-group differences compared with controls. Students in both groups agreed that their medical education would be incomplete without a QI component and that they are likely to be involved in QI projects throughout their medical training and practice. Conclusions The elective QI curriculum was effective in guiding preclinical students to develop their QI knowledge base and skillset. Preclinical students value QI as an integral component of their medical training. Future directions involve evaluating the impact of this curriculum on clinical clerkship performance and across other academic institutions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T19:42:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cbef42bae31d4485a26a418acc5307e5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6920 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T19:42:24Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-cbef42bae31d4485a26a418acc5307e52023-01-29T12:15:08ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202023-01-0123111010.1186/s12909-023-04047-0Implementation and evaluation of an elective quality improvement curriculum for preclinical students: a prospective controlled studyJacqueline V. Aredo0Jack B. Ding1Cara H. Lai2Richard Trimble3Rebecca A. Bromley-Dulfano4Rita A. Popat5Lisa Shieh6Stanford University School of MedicineAdelaide Medical School, University of AdelaideStanford University School of MedicineStanford University School of MedicineStanford University School of MedicineDepartment of Epidemiology & Population Health, Stanford University School of MedicineDivision of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of MedicineAbstract Background Quality improvement (QI) is a systematic approach to improving healthcare delivery with applications across all fields of medicine. However, exposure to QI is minimal in early medical education. We evaluated the effectiveness of an elective QI curriculum in teaching preclinical health professional students foundational QI concepts. Methods This prospective controlled cohort study was conducted at a single academic institution. The elective QI curriculum consisted of web-based video didactics and exercises, supplemented with in-person classroom discussions. An optional hospital-based QI project was offered. Assessments included pre- and post-intervention surveys evaluating QI skills and beliefs and attitudes, quizzes, and Quality Improvement Knowledge Application Tool-Revised (QIKAT-R) cases. Within-group pre-post and between-group comparisons were performed using descriptive statistics. Results Overall, 57 preclinical medical or physician assistant students participated under the QI curriculum group (N = 27) or control group (N = 30). Twenty-three (85%) curriculum students completed a QI project. Mean quiz scores were significantly improved in the curriculum group from pre- to post-assessment (Quiz 1: 2.0, P < 0.001; Quiz 2: 1.7, P = 0.002), and the mean differences significantly differed from those in the control group (Quiz 1: P < 0.001; Quiz 2: P = 0.010). QIKAT-R scores also significantly differed among the curriculum group versus controls (P = 0.012). In the curriculum group, students had improvements in their confidence with all 10 QI skills assessed, including 8 that were significantly improved from pre- to post-assessment, and 4 with significant between-group differences compared with controls. Students in both groups agreed that their medical education would be incomplete without a QI component and that they are likely to be involved in QI projects throughout their medical training and practice. Conclusions The elective QI curriculum was effective in guiding preclinical students to develop their QI knowledge base and skillset. Preclinical students value QI as an integral component of their medical training. Future directions involve evaluating the impact of this curriculum on clinical clerkship performance and across other academic institutions.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04047-0Quality improvementCurriculumPreclinicalMedical studentPhysician assistant student |
| spellingShingle | Jacqueline V. Aredo Jack B. Ding Cara H. Lai Richard Trimble Rebecca A. Bromley-Dulfano Rita A. Popat Lisa Shieh Implementation and evaluation of an elective quality improvement curriculum for preclinical students: a prospective controlled study BMC Medical Education Quality improvement Curriculum Preclinical Medical student Physician assistant student |
| title | Implementation and evaluation of an elective quality improvement curriculum for preclinical students: a prospective controlled study |
| title_full | Implementation and evaluation of an elective quality improvement curriculum for preclinical students: a prospective controlled study |
| title_fullStr | Implementation and evaluation of an elective quality improvement curriculum for preclinical students: a prospective controlled study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Implementation and evaluation of an elective quality improvement curriculum for preclinical students: a prospective controlled study |
| title_short | Implementation and evaluation of an elective quality improvement curriculum for preclinical students: a prospective controlled study |
| title_sort | implementation and evaluation of an elective quality improvement curriculum for preclinical students a prospective controlled study |
| topic | Quality improvement Curriculum Preclinical Medical student Physician assistant student |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04047-0 |
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