Newcastle University

Aims

Original Summary:
This module introduces key concepts underpinning health care quality. It covers the theory and practice of different approaches to quality improvement as well as the evidence base for and methods of evaluating approaches to improve the quality of health care. The module will place these topics within the context of several strategies employed to address quality within the British NHS, including: the Darzi review; safety improvement; clinical governance; and clinical guidelines.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module introduces key concepts underpinning health care quality. It covers the theory and practice of different approaches to quality improvement as well as the evidence base for, and methods of, evaluating approaches to improve the quality of health care. The module will place these topics within the context of several strategies employed to address quality within the British NHS, including: the Darzi review; safety improvement; clinical governance; and clinical guidelines.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This is a highly interactive module which draws widely upon the experiences and knowledge of the students, hence suited to seminar format with student and tutor led preparation and presentations/discussion. The teaching and learning methods used are designed to maximise opportunities for students to reflect on and incorporate their own professional and practical research experience into their learning. Students are expected to undertake private study each week in preparation for the next session. As this is a Masters level course, students will be expected to engage in significant self-guided learning, including allocated essential and further reading and accessing web-based learning resources.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Students will be given an open assignment which will allow them to demonstrate their understanding of key issues covered by the module and practice applying a range of critical skills. The assignment will require students to identify a current and specific problem with the quality of health care delivery – preferably based upon their own experience but possibly from available literature. Students will be expected to identify and critically appraise relevant evidence to support a change in practice or policy around their selected problem and then describe how they would develop an appropriate implementation strategy. Students should also consider whether or how their selected topics and strategies fit into national policy initiatives and how they would evaluation any change in practice. This assignment should be written up as a structured, concise account.

Transferable skills, such as communication and team-working, will be formatively assessed during group sessions as participants jointly consider the course materials and their implications.