Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Leading Quality & Value Improvement

The Professional Diploma in Leading Quality and Value Improvement is an exciting new offering, which aims to develop quality improvement (QI) competencies in healthcare professionals and managers to help contribute to the development of a high-quality health system.

On successful completion of the programme you will be skilled in QI methods and measures. You will be able to facilitate team-based clinical quality improvements and lead broader organisational improvements. Crucially, you will be able to demonstrate 'value' for health service users by providing evidence of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

Learning Outcomes

The Professional Diploma in Leading Quality and Value Improvement aims to:

•Develop participants' as reflective practitioners and their knowledge of quality improvement research and theory to enable them to diagnose and treat quality and value opportunities in the healthcare system.

•Develop participants' knowledge of theories of quality improvement and leadership to enable them to facilitate teams to initiate and sustain improvement at all levels of the healthcare system.

•Apply skills in improvement methods, measurement for improvement and health economics in relation to the management of quality opportunities in complex healthcare environments.

•Develop participants' competence in group facilitation and
organisational culture awareness so that quality and value improvement techniques employed best fit with the organisational context.

•Demonstrate the ability to challenge assumptions and to question processes, policies and procedures in the unpredictable environment of healthcare improvement work, both at individual and organisational levels.

•Develop participants with the confidence, skills and insight to enable their capacity to fulfill a quality improvement leadership role in a healthcare environment.

•Develop a strategic mindset in relation to the implementation of quality improvement in the health services and demonstrate the capacity to employ this in practice.

•Recognise and reflect on the importance of demonstrating value in negotiating quality improvements in the healthcare setting.

Entry requirements

All applicants should hold a primary degree and be working in the healthcare sector. As there is an emphasis on clinical leadership, ideally applicants should be working in a clinical setting.

For applicants who don't hold a primary degree, there is a recognition of prior learning (RPL) pathway outlined below.

Recognition of prior learning

The RCSI regulations for RPL provide a process and framework for validating and placing a value on prior learning for the purpose of:

A. Admission

B. Exemption

C. Advanced entry/transfer between programmes

The EU Council (2012) defines validation as a process of confirmation by an authorised body that an individual has acquired learning outcomes measured against a relevant standard which consists of four distinct phases:

1.Identification – dialogue of particular experiences of an individual

2.Documentation – making visible the individuals experiences

3.Assessment – formal assessment of these experiences

4.Certification – the results of the assessment

These regulations are intended for use by the RCSI staff and faculty involved in admissions processes relating to applicants seeking assessment of their prior learning for the purposes of admission, exemption or advanced entry/transfer between programmes and to provide clarity and direction for candidates during their application process.

Duration

This programme is delivered over a nine-month period and incorporates three contact days per module (nine contact days in total).

The first intake will commence in Spring 2020.

Further enquiries

RCSI Institute of Leadership - Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)1 402 8681
Email: leadership@rcsi.ie

Subjects taught

Modules

Module 1: Fundamentals of Quality Improvement for Healthcare Professionals (10 ECTS) The aim of the module is to assist healthcare professionals to become familiar with key improvement methodologies and to apply these to their practice setting. There is an emphasis put on developing the skills required for team-based clinical quality improvement.

Measurement for Quality and Value Improvement (10 ECTS) Leading and managing people and teams are key capabilities for healthcare professionals. The ability to influence people and events in your clinical organisations and across boundaries is a key requirement. The aim of this module is to develop your knowledge and skills in managing human and financial resources.

Module 3: Leadership & Strategy for Quality Improvement in the Health Services (10 ECTS) The module aims to empower healthcare professionals and managers with the skills to optimise the performance of the health system where they reside. Key skills addressed will be how to use time series data to inform decision – making about improving the quality of care and the health of populations, and for reducing the cost of healthcare.

Application date

Applications for the Professional Diploma in Leading Quality and Value Improvement in Healthcare are accepted on a rolling basis. Currently, there are two intakes each year, in Autumn and Spring.

Please ensure to attach the following supporting documents with your application:
•Passport-sized photograph. Photographs must be recent and of the individual applying for programme.
•Clear copy of a valid passport.
•Copies of your academic transcripts/degree
•€100 non-refundable application fee should be paid by cheque, postal order or bank draft.

Please direct any enquiries about online applications to leadership@rcsi.ie.

Course fee

Student fees
•EU applicants: €5,750
•Non-EU applicants: €11,500

Please note

•The tuition includes all resources, including core textbooks, access to our award-winning online learning portal and access to extensive RCSI-only databases.

•The tuition fee is also inclusive of an NUI fee.

•Fees are payable via installments or in one lump sum.

•We ask that students who are being sponsored or funded by their employer forward us on a funding confirmation letter. This can be sent to leadership@rcsi.ie.