Are you constantly trying to do more with less?

Are you a healthcare practitioner who is frustrated and dissatisfied with our healthcare system's ability to meet our patients' needs?

  • Envision

    replacing that frustration with empowerment to effect enduring local improvements

  • Enact

    positive change through quality improvement methodology

Let us be your guides

At CQUINS, we are obsessed with making, supporting, and promoting excellent quality improvement practitioners. The Quality in Healthcare Certificate is our flagship offering and is the fastest, most direct path to QI proficiency.

What makes our program unique

  • Flexibile

    You choose the pace of your progress through the curriculum. Online content is available 24/7 and you schedule coaching calls at your convenience.

  • Personalized

    Expert guidance through your chosen project with more one-on-one coaching than any other QI training program

  • Step-By-Step

    Guided progression through each step of the QI project process . You will never wonder what to do next.

  • Practical

    Pragmatic focus in applying QI concepts to real practice scenarios. The curriculum is designed to anticipate and solve real world problems that emerge during the QI project process.

Our mentorship approach

As a student in the certificate program, you will receive all of the following:

  • Eight online learning modules that can be taken at your convenience

  • Graded assignments and quizzes to reinforce key lessons

  • Tools and templates to move you smoothly through the QI project process

  • Eight one-hour one-on-one coaching sessions to optimize project outcomes at each phase

  • Permanent access to our community of practice

Course Syllabus

  • 1

    Course Preparation: Curriculum Overview, Topic Selection, and Problem Definition

    • Conflict of Interest Disclosures

    • Course Syllabus

    • REQUIRED: Baseline Assessment (QIKAT)

    • The Problem With Quality Improvement

    • Adaptive vs. Technical Challenges

    • Curriculum Overview

    • Project Documents

    • The Project Charter

    • The Course Website: Thinkific

    • Independent Learning Module: Introduction to Quality Improvement

    • Introduction to the Model for Improvement

    • Introduction to the Driver Diagram

    • Sponsor's Concern, Overview, and Deliverables

    • Defining A QI Problem

    • Choosing A QI Project

    • Conclusion

    • Quiz A: QI Topic Candidates (Problem Definitions)

    • Quiz B: Overview, Topic Selection & Problem Definition

    • Activity: Project Selection

    • Course Preparation Coaching Call

    • Course Preparation Feedback & Evaluation

  • 2

    Introductory Webinar: Wednesday, September 6th, 2023

    • REQUIRED: Introductory Webinar: Wednesday, September 6th, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm

  • 3

    Module 1: Problem Quantification and Goal Setting

    • Sponsor's Concerns, Module Overview, and Deliverables

    • QI vs. Conventional Research

    • Starting With the End in Mind

    • The Data Dictionary

    • Planning a Baseline Data Collection

    • Constructing an AIM Statement

    • The Project Narrative

    • Planning to Demonstrate Improvement: The Power Calculation

    • Ethics and QI

    • Conclusion

    • Module 1 Quiz

    • Assignment: Data Dictionary, Part 1 (suggested due date: September 30th)

    • Assignment: AIM Statement (suggested due date: September 30th)

    • Assignment: Problem/Gap/Hook (suggested due date: September 30th)

    • Assignment: Projected SPC Chart (suggested due date: September 30th)

    • Module 1 Coaching Call

    • Module 1 Feedback & Evaluation
  • 4

    Module 2: Root Cause Analysis - Hypothesis Generation & Stakeholder Engagement

    • Sponsor's Concerns, Module Overview, and Deliverables

    • Stakeholder Engagement & Communication Strategy

    • Stakeholder Interviews

    • Tool: Cause and Effect Diagram

    • Tool: Five Whys

    • Tool: Process Map

    • Tool: Data Drill Down

    • Tool: Looking for Deviation

    • Conclusion

    • Module 2 Quiz

    • Assignment: Cause & Effect Diagram (suggested due date: October 31st)

    • Assignment: Stakeholder Analysis (suggested due date: October 31st)

    • Assignment: Process Map (suggested due date: October 31st)

    • Module 2 Coaching Call

    • Module 2 Feedback & Evaluation
  • 5

    Module 3: Root Cause Analysis - Hypothesis Validation

    • Sponsor's Concerns, Module Overview, and Deliverables

    • Tool: Direct Observation/Time Study Observations

    • Literature Review

    • Tool: Pareto Chart

    • Creating A Pareto Chart in QI Macros

    • Conclusion

    • Module 3 Quiz

    • Assignment: Pareto Chart (suggested due date: November 30th)

    • Assignment: QI Literature Review (suggested due date: November 30th)

    • Module 3 Coaching Call

    • Module 3 Feedback & Evaluation
  • 6

    Module 4: Solution Generation, Prioritization, and Selection

    • Sponsor's Concerns, Module Overview, and Deliverables

    • The Solutions Process & Mapping Onto Root Causes

    • Change Concepts vs. Change Ideas

    • Generation Tool: Reverse Brainstorming

    • Generation Tool: Creative Combinations

    • Generation Tool: Human Factors

    • Generation Tool: Influencer

    • Generation Tool: Direct Observation

    • Prioritization Tool: PICK Chart

    • Prioritization Tool: Hierarchy of Effectiveness

    • Prioritization Tool: Golden Rules

    • Describing Your Chosen Solutions

    • Putting It All Together: The Driver Diagram

    • Conclusion

    • Assignment: PICK Chart (suggested due date: December 31st)

    • Assignment: Solution Mapping & Driver Diagram (suggested due date: December 31st)

    • Module 4 Quiz

    • Module 4 Coaching Call

    • Module 4 Feedback & Evaluation
  • 7

    Interim Mini-Presentations: Wednesday, January 17th, 2024

    • Interim Mini-Presentations: Wednesday, January 17th 2024 1:00pm
  • 8

    Module 5: Improvement Science

    • Sponsor's Concerns, Module Overview, and Deliverables

    • Context

    • Family of Measures

    • Model for Improvement Overview

    • Model for Improvement: Plan

    • Do

    • Study

    • Act

    • Lean/Toyota Production System Overview

    • Six Sigma Overview

    • Conclusion

    • Module 5 Quiz

    • Assignment: Context Analysis (suggested due date: January 31st)

    • Assignment: Data Dictionary Part 2 (suggested due date: January 31st)

    • Assignment: PDSA Worksheet (suggested due date: January 31st)

    • Module 5 Coaching Call

    • Module 5 Feedback & Evaluation
  • 9

    Module 6: Measurement for Improvement

    • Sponsor's Concerns, Module Overview, and Deliverables

    • Pitfalls of Applying Conventional Statistics to QI

    • Run Charts

    • Tale of Three Clinics

    • Statistical Process Control Charts

    • Constructing an SPC Chart in QI Macros

    • Change Occurred: Differential Diagnosis

    • Change Did Not Occur: Differential Diagnosis

    • Conclusion

    • Module 6 Quiz

    • Assignment: PDSA Worksheet Update (suggested due date: February 29th)

    • Assignment: Run Chart (suggested due date: February 29th)

    • Assignment: Statistical Process Control Chart (suggested due date: February 29th)

    • Assignment: Optional SPC Assignment (suggested due date: February 29th)

    • Module 6 Coaching Call

    • Module 6 Feedback & Evaluation
  • 10

    Module 7: Sustainability and Spread

    • Sponsor's Concerns, Module Overview, and Deliverables

    • Causes of Regression

    • Documentation Plan

    • Education and Training Plan

    • Monitoring Plan

    • Response Plan

    • Closeout Report

    • Poster Presentation

    • Publication

    • Conclusion

    • Module 7 Quiz

    • Assignment: Sustainability Plan (suggested due date: March 31st)

    • Assignment: QI Project Poster (suggested due date: March 31st)

    • QI Project Poster Template

    • Module 7 Coaching Call

    • Module 7 Feedback & Evaluation
  • 11

    Capstone Presentations: Monday, May 1st 2024 1:00pm

    • Capstone Presentations: Monday, May 1st, 2024 1:00pm

    • Capstone Presentation Evaluation Rubric

    • REQUIRED: Final Course Evaluation

    • REQUIRED: Post-course Assessment (QIKAT)

Time Commitment & Key Dates

Approximately one half-day per week will be required for project work and assignments in addition to 2 hours on the following dates:

Friday, August 2nd 2024: Deadline to apply for September 2024 enrolment 

Wednesday, September 4th 2024: Curriculum begins, introductory live webinar

Wednesday, January 15th 2025: Midterm presentations (live group webinar)

Wednesday, April 30th 2025: Capstone presentations (live group webinar)

Learning Outcomes & Objectives

  • Course Learning Outcomes

    Express a clinical care gap in the form of an AIM statement
    Design and execute a comprehensive root cause analysis
    Generate solutions and map them onto root causes
    Design a feasible implementation plan that accounts for local contextual factors
    Design and implement authentic Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles
    Design and execute a data collection strategy to rigorously demonstrate improvement over time
    Design and execute a sustainability plan including ongoing stakeholder engagement
    Avoid major pitfalls associated with QI projects

  • Course Preparation Learning Objectives

    1. Identify course components and curriculum overview
    2. List digital resources used for course content and project management
    3. Identify major factors that predict the success and failure of QI initiatives
    4. Apply a project selection framework to the proposed topic
    5. Define a primary outcome measure

  • Module 1 Learning Objectives

    1. Differentiate quality improvement from research
    2. Construct an AIM statement
    3. Identify the role of ethics oversight in QI projects
    4. Craft a compelling narrative to influence stakeholders

  • Module 2 Learning Objectives

    1. Design and execute an effective stakeholder engagement strategy
    2. Generate hypotheses explaining the care gap by using a variety of QI tools

  • Module 3 Learning Objectives

    1. Utilize the literature review as a hypothesis generation tool
    2. Validate hypotheses from Module 2 using the following tools: direct observation, Pareto analysis

  • Module 4 Learning Objectives

    1. Differentiate between a change concept and a change idea
    2. List tools/methods that are used in each of the two distinct phases of the solution selection process (generation and prioritization)
    3. Generate potential solutions that directly link to root causes
    4. List the hierarchy of effectiveness of interventions
    5. List general factors that contribute to the success or failure of solutions
    6. Evaluate viability of potential solutions

  • Module 5 Learning Objectives

    1. Perform a context analysis and identify potential opportunities & threats to implementation
    2. List & describe each category comprising the family of measures
    3. List the elements of the Model for Improvement
    4. Use the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework to plan for iterative tests of change

  • Module 6 Learning Objectives

    1. Describe the rationale for displaying data over time
    2. Construct a run chart
    3. Construct a statistical process control chart

  • Module 7 Learning Objectives

    1. Identify reasons why performance can regress to baseline
    2. Design a sustainability plan (documentation, education/training, monitoring, response)
    3. Extract and share project lessons beyond the project team

Lead Instructor

Course Director

Alan Gob

Dr Alan Gob is the Clinical Lead and Education Lead at the Centre for Quality, Innovation and Safety (CQUINS) and an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology at Western University. He undertook his undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto and completed his Medical Training at Western University. In 2013, he then went on to complete an MSc in Quality and Safety at the University of Toronto, and currently holds an Adjunct Professorial appointment in the Department of Graduate Studies Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto. As well as the science of Quality Improvement, Dr Gob’s interest also lies in providing education to others in QI and Patient Safety. He has developed a number of novel educational curricula designed for different participants and professions and is Director of the Quality and Safety Curriculum for the PGY4/5 trainees, with projects from this curriculum being presented locally and internationally. He was also the co-creator of an innovative model of co-learning between healthcare staff and business students, that is now in its 3rd year of delivery. He has been involved in a number of leadership roles within Quality Improvement over the last few years; guiding the implementation of a new patient education tool with regards Patient Oriented Discharge Summaries, implementing Choosing Wisely Canada recommendations to reduce unnecessary bloods testing, readmission reduction for patients with Congestive Heart Failure, implementing the CHF evidence-based guidelines. Dr Gob is an active advocate for promoting Quality Improvement both in and out of work and out of the formal educational environment, organizing journal clubs, the creator of a Quality and Safety YouTube channel and has a Quality and Safety website (www.theqigeek.com ). He is mentor to students and faculty alike and has presented QI work both nationally and internationally.

Ready to start your quality improvement journey?

Tuition is $4995 + HST for the nine-month course.

If you want to be an architect of the healthcare system that you want to see, take the first step and download the application at the link below. If you would like to discuss with the lead instructor whether the course is a good fit for you, schedule a discussion at: https://calendly.com/alan-gob/certificate
Download Application Forms