Dear Colleagues,
As clinicians, we have an essential leadership role to play in
redesigning complex healthcare delivery. Over the last two decades,
both our communities and the medical profession have recognized that
the US healthcare system often falls short in meeting patients' and
our own expectations for safety, quality, and efficiency. This
disappointing performance persists and has been challenging to solve,
despite the best intentions of all parties involved. Quality
improvement is hard and complex, but essential. The financial
viability and success of hospitals and physician practices will depend
on their ability to improve quality, safety and value to patients and
payers.
Physicians must lead the transformation of care delivery systems to
fulfill the expectations of our patients. Responsibility for care
improvements cannot be delegated to administrators and insurers.
Unfortunately, many physicians didn't receive training in medical
school on how to lead quality improvement projects. However, with the
right training, physicians can acquire these skills at any career
stage and can guide healthcare organizations with the optimal approach
to safe and effective care delivery.
At the WSMA, we have been working to address this challenge and I am
pleased to announce a new professional development course for
physicians, physician assistants, and other members of the health care
team. In partnership with the University of Washington Center for
Scholarship in Patient Care Quality and Safety, the WSMA has designed
a 14-week hybrid course to equip you to lead and participate in
quality improvement projects in your organization.
We hope to see you and your colleagues at the course.
Mika Sinanan, MD, PhD
WSMA Executive Committee, President