STEP-BY-STEP PROMPTS
ABPMR Guided QI Project Templates
Based on our create-your-own self-guided QI template, the ABPMR has released several guided QI project templates to provide a little more support and guidance for those looking for ideas or direction.
The questions are the same no matter which template you use, but the Guided QI project templates provide topic-specific prompts before each question to help guide diplomates in the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle. These are topics that have been identified and suggested by diplomates as those with wide applicability to a range of practice settings. Click on each topic name to download a PDF worksheet that you can use to prepare your project:
To access these Guided QIs, create an account at the ABPMR QI Submission Platform site. Read more about these changes in a News Center article here.
How to Create Your Own Project
Create-Your-Own QI Project
Wondering how you’d come up with your own self-designed QI project? It may be more straightforward than you think.
Here’s a great place to start: Think of an issue in your practice that bothers you, or is creating inefficiency, or something you wish would work more smoothly. You’re always trying new things, making small adjustments, and finding incremental ways to improve over time to save some time, save some money, or even to improve the care you provide your patients.
To translate this everyday activity into a QI project, you just have to plan ahead. Remember to record the baseline data – simply the current state of affairs – before you begin. Then, gather your team, set a goal, make the change, and measure again to get post-intervention data. Even if you don’t reach your goal, completing and documenting that process counts for the QI component of your CC requirements.
Need some help getting started? Check out the resources below, choose an area of your practice that you’ve recently improved or could benefit from a small-scale project, and make an improvement today.
Resources
Download Worksheet
Use this worksheet to plan, design, and conduct your project; the online submission form asks the same questions.
Download (PDF)View QI Infographic
View an infographic that distills the steps (including Plan-Do-Study-Act) built into a self-directed QI Project.
View InfographicQI Project Spotlight
Check out our ever-expanding library of exemplary QI projects that have been submitted by your peers.
View QI SpotlightsSubmit a Project
Connect to our QI project submission site to create-your-own or use one of our guided QI project templates.
Submit a QI ProjectWatch PDSA Videos
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In this video, ABPMR Board Director Dr. Christopher Garrison gives an overview of the Plan-Do-Study-Act methodology, as well as explaining a SMART Aims statement, a key component of the "Plan" step.
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Video #1
In this video, ABPMR Board Director Dr. Christopher Garrison delves deeper into how a SMART aims statement works by using an example aims (goal) statement and then applying the principles to make it SMARTer.
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Video #2
In this video, ABPMR Board Director Dr. Christopher Garrison uses a common QI project example (increase DVT prophylaxis on a rehab unit) to demonstrate some other key aspects of the Plan portion of the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle: Getting a baseline measurement and mapping your process.
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Video #3
In this final video in the series, ABPMR Board Director Dr. Christopher Garrison briefly covers the rest of the PDSA cycle: Once you're completed the Plan section of your project, Do, Study, then Act.