Bridging the Gap: Interdepartmental Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Curriculum Created by Hospital Leaders, Faculty, and Trainees

Abstract

Background : The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Clinical Learning Environment Review recommends that quality improvement/patient safety (QI/PS) experts, program faculty, and trainees collectively develop QI/PS education. Objective : Faculty, hospital leaders, and resident and fellow champions at the University of Chicago designed an interdepartmental curriculum to train postgraduate year 1 (PGY-1) residents on core QI/PS principles, measuring outcomes of knowledge, attitudes, and event reporting. Methods : The curriculum consisted of 3 sessions: PS, quality assessment, and QI. Faculty and resident and fellow leaders taught foundational knowledge, and hospital leaders discussed institutional priorities. PGY-1 residents attended during protected conference times, and they completed in-class activities. Knowledge and attitudes were assessed using pretests and posttests; graduating residents (PGY-3-PGY-8) were controls. Event reporting was compared to a concurrent control group of nonparticipating PGY-1 residents. Results : From 2015 to 2017, 140 interns in internal medicine (49%), pediatrics (33%), and surgery (13%) enrolled, with 112 (80%) participating and completing pretests and posttests. Overall, knowledge scores improved (44% versus 57%, P < .001), and 72% of residents demonstrated increased knowledge. Confidence comprehending quality dashboards increased (13% versus 49%, P  < .001). Conclusions : An interdepartmental curriculum was acceptable to residents and feasible across 3 specialties, and it was associated with increased event reporting by participating PGY-1 residents.