Health Quality

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

This course unit combines the use of more expository methods with others of a more interactive and participatory nature. To this end, the classes organize discussions around some articles and carry out some group activities. In some topics, students are challenged to apply the methodologies and tools studied to real situations they come into contact with (problem-based learning). For each topic, in addition to the basic bibliography, articles from scientific and professional journals are suggested.

The final assessment is based on project and a written test.

Learning Outcomes

On successfully completing this course unit the student should:

- Demonstrate an understanding of the multidimensional nature of quality and know how to correctly use the core concepts of the area of quality in health;

- Be able to select and apply a set of methodologies and tools that support processes of continuous improvement and problem-solving faced by clinical services and health institutions;

- Know and be able to assess in general terms the economic consequences of Quality and Non-Quality;

- Demonstrate the ability to design and implement quality assessment processes in healthcare organizations and services, based on appropriate metrics and indicators;

- Understand the role of quality frameworks in health regulation and how they are articulated with clinical governance processes;

- Be able, at their level of professional intervention, to act as a 'quality promoter' in health institutions and services.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

With a focus on evaluating and improving the processes and organizational performance of health institutions and services, the following topics are covered:

1) Dimensions of quality and basic concepts of quality in healthcare.

2) Methodologies and tools for solving problems within the scope of the continuous improvement cycle (PDCA).

3) Quality and non-quality costs.

4) Quality assessment models. Health Quality metrics and indicators.

5) Leadership for Quality and the strategic dimension of Quality Management. The relationship between quality processes and clinical governance processes.

6) Regulation and Quality in the Health Sector. Frameworks for Quality and Accreditation in Healthcare.

7) Challenges and future trends.

Head Lecturer(s)

Patrícia Helena Ferreira Lopes de Moura e Sá

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Project: 50.0%
Mini Tests: 50.0%

Bibliography

- Donabedian, A. (2003). Introduction to Quality Assurance in Health Care. Oxford University Press.

- Evans JR, Lindsay WM. Managing for quality and performance excellence. 8th ed. Mason : South-Western/Cengage Learning, 2011.

- Johnson, J. K., Sollecito, W. (2018).  McLaughlin & Kaluzny's Continuous Quality Improvement in Health Care. 5th Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

- Lloyd, R. (2017). Quality Health Care: A Guide to Developing and Using Indicators. 2nd Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

- Spath, P. (2022). Introduction to Healthcare Quality Management, Third Edition, Gateway to Healthcare Management.

- Ransom, S. B., Joshi, M., & Nash, D. B. (eds.) (2022). The Healthcare Quality Book: Vision, Strategy, and Tools. 5th Edition.  AUPHA/HAP Book.