title: Quality improvement coaching to build capacity within health departments: reflections and recommendations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Strengthening the Community of Practice for Public Health Improvement is a 2-year initiative that facilitates the exchange of best practices and builds capacity among the nation's health departments to become accredited and conduct quality improvement (QI). Launched as the Public Health Accreditation Board opened its doors to receive the first accreditation applications from health departments, the Community of Practice for Public Health Improvement is the next stage in the National Network of Public Health Institutes' efforts to nurture and expand a community of practice focused on accreditation and QI. A key component of the Community of Practice for Public Health Improvement is the QI Award Program, which provides small grants and distance-based QI coaching to state, local, tribal, and territorial health departments.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To understand the efficacy of distance-based QI coaching.
  
  
  METHODS
  The QI coaching model was evaluated using Web-based satisfaction surveys along with programmatic data collected through progress reports, coaching logs, and meetings.
  
  
  METHODS
  During 2 QI Award Program cycles, 60 health departments (30 departments per cycle) received $5000 and QI coaching to engage in QI projects that address locally identified priorities and connect to efforts to prepare for public health accreditation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data in this article represent findings from the first 30 sites and 9 coaches who participated in cycle 1.
  
  
  METHODS
  QI coaching hours and methods, sites' impressions of QI coaching, sites' accomplishments due to coaching, and suggestions for coaching improvement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately 80% of QI satisfaction survey respondents indicated that they strongly agreed or agreed that distance-based coaching is effective. Sites also reported increased experience with QI processes, initiation of QI spread within the health department, and additional activity within and beyond the project team due to the QI Award Program.
authors: Public Health Improvement (Ms McKeever) and Research and Evaluation (Dr Rider), National Network of Public Health Institutes, Washington, District of Columbia.
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: McKeever
authors: Nikki
authors: N
authors: Rider
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation; D057191:Capacity Building / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D003142:Communication; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006801:Humans; D009111:Local Government; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000592:standards*; D015980:Public Health Practice / Q000592:standards*; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013219:State Government