Bridging the chasm: a professional college's role in quality.
OBJECTIVE
To review the role of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry (RANZCP) in ensuring quality and to suggest ways to enhance that role.


METHODS
Literature relating to medical error and quality of health care was reviewed and the performance of the RANZCP assessed against that literature.


RESULTS
Considerable evidence exists regarding the risk of medical practice to health. The 'Quality Chasm' report is a useful analytic framework for planning quality improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
The RANZCP is on target with a number of quality initiatives. We need to strengthen the partnership with patients and their families in the design of initiatives.
Miles
Wayne
W
Mental Health and RADS, Auckland, New Zealand. wayne.miles@waitematadb.govt.nz
D001315:Australia; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012380:Role; D012955:Societies, Medical