Improving Health Care Training Facilitator Guide

The project provides context to the history of improving health care, highlighting the importance of quality improvement in achieving global health priorities. Quality of care is defined as the degree to which health care services for individuals and populations increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes. The course, Improving Health Care, introduces the science of improvement and its practical applications in making health care better. It is designed to help anyone working in health care learn how to improve the quality of care for patients. The course begins with an introduction to the ASSIST Project, which provides context to the history of improving health care in low- and middle-income countries. The course explains the definition of quality of care, different perspectives on the problem of achieving quality in health care, and how quality is essential to achieving global health priorities. Illustrative results are described to give an idea of what can be accomplished in implementing improvement within a health care system. The model for improvement is covered, along with the key principles to improve care. A case study about improving nutrition assessment, counseling, and support (NACS) services in a health care facility in Uganda is used to illustrate the application of quality improvement principles. Although the case study is from a developing country, the theory, methods, and principles discussed in the course can be applied in any context. The course is designed to be delivered in a classroom setting, with a facilitator guide outlining the key talking points and directions for leading exercises and group discussions. The materials needed to deliver the training in a classroom setting include the Training Facilitator Guide, Training Participant Guide, Improving Health PowerPoint slide deck, agenda, training evaluation form, tent cards for names, and pens. The training is expected to take approximately 11 hours to complete, including breaks, and is best received by participants when it is conducted in approximately half-day sessions on three consecutive days. The course is designed to help participants learn practical applications of improving quality of care for patients. It covers the definition of quality of care, different perspectives on the problem of achieving quality in health care, and how quality is essential to achieving global health priorities. The course also covers the model for improvement, key principles to improve care, and a case study about improving NACS services in a health care facility in Uganda.