Applying Process Improvement Methods to Clinical and Translational Research: Conceptual Framework and Case Examples.
There is growing appreciation that process improvement holds promise for improving quality and efficiency across the translational research continuum but frameworks for such programs are not often described. The purpose of this paper is to present a framework and case examples of a Research Process Improvement Program implemented at Tufts CTSI. To promote research process improvement, we developed online training seminars, workshops, and in-person consultation models to describe core process improvement principles and methods, demonstrate the use of improvement tools, and illustrate the application of these methods in case examples. We implemented these methods, as well as relational coordination theory, with junior researchers, pilot funding awardees, our CTRC, and CTSI resource and service providers. The program focuses on capacity building to address common process problems and quality gaps that threaten the efficient, timely and successful completion of clinical and translational studies.
Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.|Tufts Medical Center and Floating Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Denise H
DH
Daudelin
Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.|Tufts Medical Center and Floating Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Harry P
HP
Selker
Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.|Tufts Medical Center and Floating Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Laurel K
LK
Leslie
D057191:Capacity Building; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008404:Massachusetts; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010290:Parents; D018579:Patient Selection; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012107:Research Design; D012108:Research Personnel; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends*; D014495:Universities; D014505:Urban Population
clinical research; process improvement; quality improvement; recruitment and retention