How Quality Improvement Methodology Supports Clinicians to Confidently Make Impact

Healthcare organisations can benefit from our structured, tailored training approach that embeds safety and quality into everyday practice.

Structured learning is key to building confidence and capability in quality improvement (QI). Recently Improvement Academy Clinical Educator, Katie Robinson and Associate Professor Bernie Harrison presented at the globally renowned International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare sharing their experience from 10 years of participation data in the Quality Improvement Lead (QIL) Program. 

Since 2016, 620 participants have graduated from the QIL Program, with ~90% completion. There is a clear link between structured training and impact, with outcomes including: 

• Increased confidence: 70% improved in QI methodology, 55% in tool use, and with 40% reaching expert-level confidence. 
• Tangible patient and system improvements: 

  • A paediatric project saved 306 bed days and boosted engagement among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers. 

  • A dental service reduced patient anxiety, winning a local award. 

  • A transfusion project cut specimen rejection by 37%, saving time and resources. 

During a workshop at the International Forum, attendees were asked about their experience in quality improvement training and confidence leading QI in the workplace. When the data were viewed through a mix-methods approach including type of training alongside confidence check‑ins, a clear pattern emerged. Confidence followed a similar curve to structured learning, increasing commensurately with the depth and duration of training undertaken. Reinforcing that clinicians who completed multi-week or formal programs consistently reported higher levels of confidence in QI. 

Pictured: Improvement Academy workshop at the IHI BMJ International Forum 2025 

Why structured QI programs are necessary 

Building improvement capability is essential for advancing safety, quality, efficiency, and patient-centred care. However, formal training in improvement science is rarely part of undergraduate education for medical, nursing, or allied health professionals, and workplace learning is often inconsistent across organisations. Meaningful, sustainable improvement can only be achieved when staff have the skills and confidence to apply quality improvement in practice. 

The benefits of learning through the QIL Program 

The combination of the practical project-based learning, coaching, and peer support improved staff confidence and capability, strengthened teamwork, and delivered tangible system benefits. For organisations with limited internal resources, partnering with the ACHS Improvement Academy offers a proven, flexible, and scalable solution.