VAQS

Summer Institute

Course Description:

This course is designed around the 6 Dimensions of Quality (safety, effectiveness, equity, efficiency, timeliness, and patient-centeredness) as outlined by the 2001 report from the Institute of Medicine. The goal of this course is to develop interprofessional leaders with a foundational knowledge base in quality improvement to improve the quality and value of the healthcare system. As part of QI Core, each site is required to present a current QI project in process during sessions called “Fellows’ Forum”. This provides an opportunity for the presenting fellow to gain feedback from peers and faculty from across the 9 sites. The overarching competencies for the course are:

Lead, follow, and make positive changes in health care delivery.
Describe the social context and accountability of health care, including an understanding of the local, regional, national, and global context of health care, including financing.

Sample sessions:

  • Introduction to Systems Thinking
  • Diffusion of Innovations
  • Human-Centered Design
  • Ethical Issues in QI
  • Safety : Patient Safety
  • Patient Centered : Patient Centered Care
  • Fellows forum on QI projects
  • Individual QI Projects
  • National QI Projects

"VAQS fast tracked me to leadership! I graduated with the ability to implement clinical programs, conduct continuous quality improvement and lead healthcare change from the formal curriculum, excellent mentorship and experiential learning. It would have taken me years to learn those skills without VAQS."

-Jessica Eng, MD VAQS Alumni 2014

“My time and experience in the VAQS program was invaluable! I gained theoretical & practical experience in leading teams, consensus building, measuring/monitoring clinical data, scholarly writing, and most importantly, how to make positive improvements in healthcare.”

- Alvin Jeffery, MSN, RN-BC, CCRN, FNP-BC, VAQS Alumni 2017

"I can honestly say that my experience in VAQS, first as a fellow and later as faculty, has been deeply rewarding, and that the training, networking, and development experiences related to VAQS have helped me to develop a successful trajectory as an improver, leader, teacher, and scientist."

- Brant Oliver, PhD, NP, MSN, MPH, APRN-BC, VAQS Alumni 2012

"The VAQS program has significantly impacted my academic career and scholarship. The program provided me with individualized mentorship which promoted my QI and research projects enabling me to contribute as a pre and postdoctoral nurse scientist to improve patient outcomes."

-Christine Horvat Davey, PhD, BSPS, RN, VAQS Alumni 2019

"VAQS put me on the fast track to leadership! I graduated with the knowledge and skills to implement clinical programs, continuous quality improvement and healthcare leadership from a combination of formal curriculum, excellent mentorship and experiential learning. It would have taken me a years to learn those skills without VAQS."

-Jessica Eng, MD, MPH, VAQS Alumni 2014

“My time and experience in the VAQS program was invaluable! I gained theoretical & practical experience in leading teams, consensus building, measuring/monitoring clinical data, scholarly writing, and most importantly, how to make positive improvements in healthcare.”

- Alvin Jeffery, MSN, RN-BC, CCRN, FNP-BC, VAQS Alumni 2017