title: Improving the effectiveness of physician participation in local quality improvement efforts.
abstract: The authors present five success factors for medical students, residents, and fellows to consider when engaged in quality improvement projects: (1) add value, not work; (2) start small and build; (3) move quickly; (4) adapt, innovate, and collaborate; (5) produce understandable results. Using examples from the Veterans Affairs National Quality Scholars Fellowship Program, they describe how these factors were used successfully. While not the only steps to take, these critical success factors proved helpful in defining the problem to be addressed, engaging leadership, and anticipating the resolution of conflict.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Community and Family Medicine, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA.
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ogrinc
authors.forename: Leigh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hamby
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Weeks
mesh_terms: D003162:Competency-Based Education; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000592:standards*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007857:Leadership; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D017008:Negotiating; D010819:Physician's Role; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D013597:Systems Analysis; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs / Q000458:organization & administration*