Healthcare Improvement module (BM40060)
Learn how to design and evaluate healthcare improvement projects, critically appraise published research, and lead evidence-based change in clinical settings
This module will give you a solid theoretical and practical foundation in quality improvement and human factors, preparing you for the independent research project that follows.
You will explore established quality improvement methodologies, including PDSA cycles, measurement for improvement, run charts, SQUIRE reporting guidelines, and design-thinking approaches such as the Double Diamond framework. Alongside this, you will develop knowledge in human factors and systems-based approaches to understanding healthcare delivery, drawing on frameworks, such as the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety and the Patient Work System models, and on methods, such as Hierarchical Task Analysis and the Systematic Human Error Reduction and Prediction Approach.
The module also examines the ethical and governance considerations associated with healthcare improvement work, helping you understand how improvement activities are planned, evaluated and implemented within healthcare organisations.
Teaching is delivered through interactive face-to-face tutorials at Ninewells campus, supported by online learning resources through My Dundee.
What you will learn
In this module, you will:
- Apply quality improvement methods to identify, test and evaluate changes in healthcare practice
- Use human factors frameworks to understand how people, tools and technology, tasks, organisational structures and internal and external environments influence healthcare delivery
- Critically appraise published quality improvement research using recognised reporting standards
- Develop meaningful process, outcome and balancing measures to evaluate improvement initiatives
- Explore qualitative and quantitative approaches used in healthcare improvement research
- Use iterative, evidence-informed approaches to design and implement change
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Explain key theories and methods underpinning quality improvement and human factors
- Analyse healthcare systems using established human factors frameworks
- Identify and evaluate the multiple factors that influence healthcare processes and outcomes
- Design measurement strategies to assess the impact of improvement initiatives
- Critically evaluate published quality improvement studies
- Apply structured improvement methods to plan, test and document changes in healthcare settings
Assignments / assessments
Critical Appraisal (50%)
- Written critical appraisal of a published journal article using the SQUIRE guidelines
Human Factors Analysis (50%)
- Written human factors analysis of your chosen clinical improvement area
This module does not have a final exam.
Teaching methods / timetable
- Face-to-face interactive tutorials at Ninewells campus
- Independent study and guided learning activities
- Online learning materials and resources via My Dundee
Module lead
- Type
- Person
