QI Scholars Program

For assistance with clinical data consultation and data extraction, please contact ARC (AID/DOM Research Collaboratory) at UW Medicine. ARC supports research and quality improvement projects by providing guidance on data sources, study design, clinical phenotyping, analytic methods, and extraction of data from UW’s enterprise data platforms, including DAWG. ARC can also advise on appropriate use of Epic tools (e.g., SlicerDicer, Reporting Workbench, Clarity/Caboodle) to support project needs. 

Overview

The QI Scholars Program is a year-long training program designed to support individuals seeking advanced training in QI research methods and leadership skills. Scholars receive dedicated mentorship, data and statistics support, and engage with nationally known improvement experts and a community of peers engaged in rigorous QI projects. Scholars receive training to pursue careers in academic quality improvement while building operational leadership skills. Graduates of the program are capable of leading, publishing, and mentoring others engaged in quality-focused projects.

Key Details

• WHO: Designed for junior and mid-level faculty pursuing QI as a scholarly focus.
• WHAT: A year-long competitive, advanced training program centered around completing and publishing a rigorous QI research project; Scholars receive one-on-one mentoring from QI research experts, data analytic and statistical support; Attend monthly seminars covering QI research methods and leadership skills; Earn up to 45 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and a Certificate of Excellence in QI Scholarship.

For tuition, eligibility, and key dates, please visit the Seattle Children's QI Scholars website. 

Program Components

Research Project

Scholars are expected to complete a QI research project and submit a first-authored manuscript after program participation. Scholars may apply with QI projects at any stage of development, but most successful applicants have projects that are already underway at the start of the Program. Scholars receive project mentorship from an academic research coach and are required to meet at least monthly to refine project design, identify resource needs, interpret data, and draft a manuscript. Scholars have access to a data and analytics resource who assists with data acquisition/cleaning and analysis. Scholars are eligible for an additional 12-month project extension to support ongoing statistical or data needs.

Monthly Seminars

Scholars are exposed to state-of-the-art QI research methods and leadership skills during 12 monthly, in-person seminars. The morning seminars are a blend of didactics, small group exercises, and practical hands-on applications. The seminars are led by both internal and external experts in the field of QI science. Seminar attendance is required. The monthly in-person sessions are structured as follows: 

8:30am - 9:00am: Breakfast (optional)
9:00am - 12:00pm: Interactive didactic seminar
12:00pm - 1:00pm: Lunch and break
1:00pm - 3:00pm: Work in Progress and/or guided project work time

Presentations and Work-In-Progress (WIP) Sessions

All program faculty (Scholars, mentors, data analysts, statisticians) meet regularly for work-in-progress sessions. Scholars present at a WIP Session at least twice during Program participation. These presentations serve as an excellent opportunity to address project barriers with the larger group and active participation and engagement is expected.

Requirements

All QI Scholars are expected to successfully complete a rigorous QI research project with the support of a mentorship team. 

In addition to implementing the improvement project, QI Scholars are required to attend the following:

• 12 monthly seminars
• Regular meetings with the Scholar’s assigned mentor, statistician, and data analyst
• Works-in-progress meetings 

This is estimated at 5% FTE. At the completion of their project, QI Scholars are supported in publishing their work in a peer-reviewed journal.
 

Program History

Seattle Children’s Hospital started the QI Scholars Program in 2016 and has been providing this advanced training to junior and mid-level faculty for 6 years. In 2021, for the first time, the QI Scholars Program expanded to include a cohort of UW Medicine participants along with the Seattle Children’s cohort, creating a cross-fertilization of ideas and innovation.

The University of Washington School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

The University of Washington School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 45 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. (Each session is worth 3.75 credits)