Quality improvement in healthcare: an action learning approach

ABSTRACT This account of practice discusses how we use action learning (AL) sets as part of the supervision process for quality improvement (QI) projects in healthcare. Reflecting on the synergies between QI and AL reveals that the questioning approach of both links closely with the Calgary Cambridge Communication model, taught in medicine, to guide medical interviews. While the Calgary Cambridge communication model provides the student with a framework in gathering a patient medical history, action learning helps them focus their attention on the type of questions they ask, active listening, and most importantly, reflecting on questions from their peers on their quality improvement projects. The student groups in this example are Physician Associates, also known as Physician Assistants in some countries, and are a new profession, recently introduced in Ireland. Communication skills might be the most important skill for healthcare workers to acquire, in order to ensure good patient outcomes.