INTRODUCTION
Quality Improvement (QI) is an important and integral feature of Family Medicine/General Practice (FM/GP). It is a professional responsibility of physicians and should constitute a routine part of their everyday practice.
The European Society for Quality and Safety in Family Practice (EQuiP) is a network organization that operates within the Wonca Region Europe. It offers a structure for collaboration and exchange of expertise as well as initiates projects concerning QI.
In 2011 and 2012, EQuiP, together with partners from Poland, Slovenia, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, participated in the large European Leonardo da Vinci project (no: 2010-1-PL1-LEO05-11473 entitled ‘inGPinQI’). The project focused on the improvement of existing QI training programmes aimed at practicing physicians and teachers of FM/GP.
The aims of this article are: (1) to inform the European general practitioners/family physicians (GPs/FPs) of all products and materials developed within the project and (2) to encourage familiarization with and use of these materials in education and other activities related to QI in practice.
PRODUCTS OF THE PROJECT
The products developed in the inGPinQI project () were aimed at enhancing current QI educational programs for primary care physicians in Europe.
Table 1. The main products of the inGPinQI project.
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED PROJECT PRODUCTS
Web-based tool
It offers a comprehensive list of QI competencies (altogether 35 competencies organized in six domains) and helps individual GPs/FPs identify their training needs and gaps in competencies. The tool may be used also by teachers in planning and evaluating CME programmes and courses.
Guidebook
It intends to illustrate the scope of QI in the context of FM/GP and to introduce practical means of assessing and improving the quality of care. It consists of two parts (1) concept and examples; (2) tools and methods and appendixes; 130 pages in total.
Distance-learning course module
It is an educational tool for GPs/FPs that offers an introduction to the concept and practice of QI in primary health care. It is dedicated to physicians with narrow experience in QI, and consists of three parts: 1) an introduction, 2) a definition of the problem and 3) management of changes.
Course and learning materials for teachers in QI
A basic structure (five modules, three hours each) and a set of learning materials is offered that can be used for educating teachers. The content and materials can be adapted to the specific requirements of different EU countries.
At the beginning of this year all resources developed within the project were made freely available on the website: http://www.ingpinqi.eu.
Conclusions
There are large differences in the way European countries implement QI activities. It appears that there is a particular need to strengthen postgraduate and continuing education of physicians in the field of QI in Eastern Europe. What is needed to facilitate activities in practices is not only education, but also changes in how GPs approach QI. A critical look at the current performance and outcomes of care as well as promotion of methods of improving care are required. Systematic and continuous activities should be initiated by the practicing physicians themselves, but essential support from authorities is also fundamental.
We believe that the products and resources developed within the project will be useful for European GPs/FPs, especially those in Eastern Europe. Other health care professionals are also encouraged to use them.