Are you struggling to get a quality improvement project off the ground?

As healthcare professionals, we don't formally get taught the business and quality improvement skills needed to successfully plan & launch a quality improvement project.

What if you had these?

  • Business Skills

    Making the business case for change. Applying marketing & sales principles to improve project buy-in.

  • Quality Improvement Skills

    Designing & executing a root cause analyses. Rationally discovering, prioritizing, and selecting solutions. Preparing for sustainability.

Let us help you on your journey

At CQUINS, we are obsessed with making, supporting, and promoting excellent quality improvement practitioners. The Quality in Healthcare Consultancy is an innovative partnership between the Schulich School of Medicine and the Ivey School of Business. In our program, you will receive the best teaching that each has to offer.

Why is this our most innovative program?

  • Interdisciplinary

    Speakers from both the business and medical sectors provide teaching grounded in real life experience. Participants from both sectors learn in interdisciplinary groups.

  • World-Class Speakers

    The speaker lineup from each discipline includes world-class experts who are internationally renowned and published for their works.

  • Structured

    A step-by-step project scaffold provides participants with guidance through each step of the QI project process.

Course Format

The course centers around a longitudinal quality improvement project of your choosing. Content is then delivered throughout the year from September to May, with participants applying concepts directly to their project.

  • Six online modules, each consisting of online videos plus 1-2 live webinars

  • A guided project charter to provide structure through the QI project process

  • Each project group consists of regulated health professionals/administrators+ 3-4 Ivey business students

Course Syllabus

  • 1

    Module 1a: Introduction to Quality Improvement Coursework: Sept 16-Sept 23 IN PERSON UH B3-250: Sept 24

    • Course Overview

    • Course Webinars

    • Course Syllabus

    • The Problem With Quality Improvement

    • Adaptive vs. Technical Challenges

    • Curriculum Overview

    • The Project Charter

    • Independent Learning Module: Introduction to Quality Improvement

    • Introduction to the Model for Improvement

    • Introduction to the Driver Diagram

    • Choosing a QI Project

    • Project Selection Framework

    • September 24, 2024 IN PERSON UH B3-250 Auditorium B 6-8pm: Introductory to QI in Healthcare

    • Project Selection Assignment: Due October 1, 2024

    • Module 1A Feedback & Evaluation

  • 2

    Module 1b: Project Selection and Problem Definition Coursework: Oct 1 - Oct 7 Webinar: Oct 8

    • Defining a QI Problem

    • QI Project vs. Conventional Research Project

    • Starting With the End in Mind

    • Planning a Baseline Data Collection

    • Constructing an AIM Statement

    • Ethics and QI

    • October 8, 2024 Webinar (6-8pm): Aligning QI Projects with Strategic Priorities - J. Payton, SJHC

    • Stakeholder Engagement & AIM Statement Assignments: Due October 15, 2024

    • Module 1B Feedback & Evaluation

  • 3

    Module 2a: Root Cause Analysis - Part 1 - Coursework: Oct 15-21 Webinar: Oct 22

    • Stakeholder Engagement

    • Stakeholder Interviews

    • Cause and Effect Diagram

    • Five Whys

    • Process Map

    • October 22, 2024 Webinar (6-8pm): Process Mapping - M. Williams, LHSC

    • Cause & Effect Diagram & Driver Diagram Assignments: Due October 29, 2024

    • Module 2A Feedback & Evaluation

  • 4

    Module 2b: Root Cause Analysis - Part 2 - Coursework: Oct 29 - Nov 4 Webinar: Nov 5

    • Direct Observation

    • Literature Review

    • Pareto Chart

    • Constructing A Pareto Chart in QI Macros

    • November 5, 2024 Webinar (6-8pm): Measurement - K. Tung, CQUINS

    • Process Map & Driver Diagram Assignments: Due November 12, 2024

    • Module 2B Feedback & Evaluation

  • 5

    Module 3: Solution Generation, Prioritization, and Selection - Coursework: Nov 12 - 18 Webinar: Nov 19

    • The Solutions Process, Mapping Solutions Onto Root Causes

    • Change Concepts vs. Change Ideas

    • Tool: Creative Combination

    • Tool: Human Factors Analysis

    • Tool: Direct Observation

    • Tool: PICK Chart

    • Hierarchy of Effectiveness

    • The Golden Rules of Implementation

    • November 19, 2024 Webinar (6-8pm): Selling your QI Project - E. Janssen, Ivey

    • PICK Chart & Driver Diagram Assignments: Due November 26, 2024

    • Module 3 Feedback & Evaluation
  • 6

    Module 4a: Improvement Science - Part 1 -- Coursework: Nov 26 - Dec 2 Webinar: Dec 3

    • Context

    • Family of Measures

    • Model for Improvement Overview

    • Lean/Toyota Production System Overview

    • December 3, 2024 Webinar (6-8pm): Boardroom Pitch - Moderators: A. Gob, Schulich & A. McInerney, LHSC

    • Boardroom Pitch PPT Template

    • Family of Measures & Driver Diagram Assignments: Due December 10th, 2024

    • Module 4A Feedback & Evaluation

  • 7

    Module 4b: Improvement Science Part 2 - Coursework: Jan 7 - 13 Webinar: Jan 14

    • Plan

    • Do

    • Study

    • Act

    • January 14, 2025 Webinar (6-8pm): Data & Analytics in QI - C. Milligan, LHSC

    • PDSA #1 Assignment: Due January 21, 2025

    • Module 4B Feedback & Evaluation
  • 8

    Module 5a: Measurement for Improvement Part 1 Coursework: Jan 21 - Jan 27 Webinar: Jan 28

    • Pitfalls of Applying Conventional Statistics to QI

    • Run Charts

    • A Tale of Three Clinics

    • January 28, 2025 Webinar (6-8pm): Application of Quality Improvement Methodology - A. McInerney, CQUINS, LHSC

    • PDSA #1 Update Assignment: Due February 4th, 2025

    • Module 5A Feedback & Evaluation
  • 9

    Module 5b: Measurement for Improvement Part 2 Coursework: Feb 4 - 10 Webinar: Feb 11

    • Statistical Process Control Charts

    • Why Change Occurred

    • Why Change Did Not Occur

    • February 11, 2025 Webinar (6-8pm): Influencing Change in Healthcare - G. Adaikappan & J. Shum, KPMG

    • Run Chart Assignment: Due February 18, 2025

    • Module 5B Feedback & Evaluation
  • 10

    Module 6a: Sustainability and Spread - Part 1 -- Coursework: Feb 18 - Feb 24 Webinar: Feb 25

    • Causes of Regression

    • Documentation Plan

    • Education and Training Plan

    • February 25, 2025 Webinar (6-8pm): Integrated Health Systems - M. Meyer, Western University

    • PDSA #2 Assignment: Due March 4, 2025

    • Module 6A Feedback & Evaluation
  • 11

    Module 6b: Sustainability and Spread - Part 2 -- Coursework: Mar 11 - 17 Webinar: Mar 18

    • Monitoring Plan

    • Response Plan

    • Closeout Report

    • March 18, 2025 Webinar (6-8pm): Statistics in Healthcare Policy - L. Cipriano - Ivey

    • QI Project Poster Assignment: Due March 25, 2025

    • QI Project Poster Example

    • Module 6B Feedback & Evaluation

  • 12

    Module 6c: Final Project Capstone Presentations Coursework: Mar 25 - Mar 31 Webinar or In-Person TBD: Apr 1

    • Capstone Presentation PPT Template

    • April 1, 2025 Webinar (6-8pm): Capstone Presentations - Judges Panel

    • Capstone Presentation Evaluation Rubric

    • Final Course Evaluation

Time Commitment & Key Dates

Live sessions are  from 6pm to 8pm every other Tuesday on the dates listed above.  In addition are the following key dates:

December 3rd, 2024: Mock Boardroom Pitch Presentations

April 1st, 2025: Capstone Project Presentations 

Instructor(s)

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.

Course Director

Andrea McInerney

Andrea is a skilled senior leader with more than 15 years of dedicated leadership experience in primary, community and acute care, as well as at the health government and policy level. Analytical by nature, Andrea thrives in utilizing systems thinking to achieve high-quality outcomes. As a results-driven visionary, she specializes in driving positive change for staff, patients and families. Andrea leads LHSC’s Office of Capital Management where as a member of LHSC’s Executive Leadership Collaborative, and is responsible for creating and implementing an integrated plan for LHSC’s infrastructure – one that positions the organization for system transformation. Andrea began her career at the London Health Sciences Centre in 2004 and returned in 2018. She has created tangible impacts across the system with achievements that include: • Managing the Acute Care Portfolio for the former South West LHIN, where amongst other initiatives she led the design and implementation of the South West Musculoskeletal (MSK) strategy to standardize quality of care, including wait times and assessment models, for all patients requiring spine surgery or joint replacement in Southwestern Ontario; • Leading the LHSC Cardiac Care program’s early pandemic response and co-leading the development of a comprehensive local Heart Failure Strategy that was recently funded for adoption by the Middlesex London Ontario Health Team; and • Supporting the delivery of several LHSC corporate initiatives, including the redesign of the Enterprise Risk Management and Policy and Procedure Frameworks, as well as the development of LHSC’s Master Plan. Committed to ongoing professional development, Andrea holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences from Western University; a Master of Science in quality improvement and patient safety from the University of Toronto’s Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME); and her black belt in Lean Six Sigma (LSSBB) and is a Certified Health Executive (CHE) from the Canadian College of Health Leaders. Passionate about supporting the development of future health care leaders, Andrea serves as the co-director for the Schulich Ivey Healthcare Consultancy program within the Centre for Quality, Innovation and Safety (CQuINS).