Developing Capacity to Do Improvement Science Work

Developing capacity to do improvement science starts with prioritizing quality improvement training in all health professions curricula so that a common knowledge base and understanding are created. Educational programs should include opportunities for colearning with patients, health professionals, and leaders. In this way, knowledge translation (also called implementation) is more effective and better coordinated when applied across organizations. Key factors that enable and drive behavior change are reviewed, as is the importance of influence and leadership. A comprehensive approach that accounts for these factors hardwires quality improvement into the health care systems and creates a culture that enables its ongoing development.