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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

R. Heather Palmer, MB BCh SM, School of Public Health, Harvard University, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, 617-432-3699, yrhpal@hsph.harvard.edu

When evaluating interventions in health care, a randomized controlled trial yields the strongest evidence. In drug trials, tight control is established over key variables such as timing, dosage and mode of administration. But most QI interventions involve a complex chain of activities and human interactions that cannot be so controlled. In such a chain, failure at the weakest link appears as failure of the overall intervention.

By using qualitative methods, we can explore interactions at different points in a complex intervention and gain information about whether the intervention worked and, if not, where the chain of interactions broke down. Such detailed exploration of success or failure in quality improvement interventions can help us transform failed programs into successful ones.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand failure points in experimental and non-experimental quality studies
• Learn how using qualitative methods can be applied at complex points of study process to learn more about whether and how quality improvement interventions worked

Keywords: Quality Improvement, Quality Assurance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation