title: Education in Quality Improvement for Pediatric Practice: an online program to teach clinicians QI.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Education in Quality Improvement for Pediatric Practice (EQIPP) is an online program designed to improve evidence-based care delivery by teaching front-line clinicians quality improvement (QI) skills. Our objective was to evaluate EQIPP data to characterize 1) participant enrollment, use patterns, and demographics; 2) changes in performance in clinical QI measures from baseline to follow-up measurement; and 3) participant experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted an observational study of EQIPP participants utilizing 1 of 3 modules (asthma, immunizations, gastroesophageal reflux disease) from 2009 to 2013. Enrollment and use, demographic, and quality measure data were extracted directly from the EQIPP system; participant experience was assessed via an optional online survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Study participants (n = 3501) were diverse in their gender, age, and race; most were board certified. Significant quality gaps were observed across many of the quality measures at baseline; sizable improvements were observed across most quality measures at follow-up. Participants were generally satisfied with their experience. The most influential module elements were collecting and analyzing data, creating and implementing aim statements and improvement plans, and completing "QI Basics."
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Online educational programs, such as EQIPP, hold promise for front-line clinicians to learn QI. The sustainability of the observed improvements in care processes and their linkage to improvements in health outcomes are unknown and are an essential topic for future study.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Electronic address: dbundy@musc.edu.
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Bundy
authors.affiliation: Division of E-Learning, American Academy of Pediatrics, Elk Grove Village, Ill.
authors.forename: Lori F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Morawski
authors.affiliation: Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lazorick
authors.affiliation: Division of E-Learning, American Academy of Pediatrics, Elk Grove Village, Ill.
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bradbury
authors.affiliation: Salinas, Calif.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kamachi
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH.
authors.forename: Gautham K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Suresh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000628:therapy; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000592:standards*; D058996:Quality Improvement
keywords: asthma; continuing medical education; gastroesophageal reflux disease; immunizations; online learning; quality improvement