Improvement Academy
This course develops skills in using quality improvement and change management tools to solve a problem or make improvements. Participants must utilize a project that will produce a measurable and sustainable improvement of one or more financial, operational or quality outcomes. Using the IHQSE Model for Change, concepts and tools, participants will define their project scope, analyze options for improvement, implement interventions, manage communication and change, measure the impact of their efforts and learn tactics to sustain the results over time.
This course is appropriate for providers and staff at all levels of experience who want to learn to develop and implement a quality improvement project. We recommend that you come through the program as a team (preferably, interprofessional) that can help develop and lead the project.
Course Overview
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The Improvement Academy offers sixteen hours of structured group didactic sessions to introduce key process and quality improvement frameworks and tools, with dedicated time to apply these tools to individual project work.
Up to 12 longitudinal coaching sessions will help support PI/QI work and address the change management principles key to successful, sustained improvement efforts. Coaches will be IHQSE faculty members with extensive QI expertise.
The program will close with a final presentation, creation of a sustainability plan, and quarterly updates for two years to the IHQSE leadership team.
Course Content
Session 1: QI Tools and Application to Project Work & Data
- The 'Why' of improvement work
- Investigate your problem
- Hone your intervention
- Managing and understanding data in improvement work
Session 2: Business Case, Change Management & Overcoming Resistance
- Developing a business case for quality improvement
- Managing change for effective project work
- Overcoming resistance to change
- Creating an effective presentation
Coaching Sessions
- Up to 12 one-hour meetings with your team and a coach focusing on project work and change management
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Upcoming Dates & Application
Upcoming Dates
Participants are expected to attend both days. Sessions are held in-person on the Anschutz Campus from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Winter 2025 Dates
In-person class: January 22 & 23, 2025
Final presentation: October 2025
Application Deadline: December 11, 2024
Spring 2025 Dates
In-person class: May 20 & 21, 2025
Final presentation: February 2026
Application Deadline: April 8, 2025
Application
Applicants to the Improvement Academy should have a problem identified that they are dedicated to improving. We highly encourage you to apply with an interdisciplinary team.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
You will have the option to select your preferred dates at the end of the application.