Abstract
Background: The issue of quality assurance (QA) and quality improvement (QI), being the quality of medical education intimately related to the quality of the health care, is becoming of paramount importance worldwide.
Aim: To describe a model of implementing a system for internal QA and QI within a post-graduate paediatric training programme based on the ISO 9001:2000 standard.
Methods: For the ISO 9001:2000 standard, the curriculum was managed as a series of interrelated processes and their level of function was monitored by ad hoc elaborated objective indicators.
Results: The training programme was fragmented in 19 interlinked processes, 15 related procedures and 24 working instructions. All these materials, along with the quality policy, the mission, the strategies and the values were made publicly available. Based on the measurable indicators developed to monitor some of the processes, areas of weakness of the system were objectively identified and consequently QI actions implemented. The appropriateness of all this allowed the programme to finally achieve an official ISO 9000:2001 certification.
Conclusions: The application of the ISO 9001:2000 standard served to develop an internal QA and QI system and to meet most of the standards developed for QA in higher and medical education.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Liviana Da Dalt
LIVIANA DA DALT, M.D., is an Associate Professor of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Padua; Clinical Director, Paediatric Emergency Unit, Department of Paediatrics, University of Padua; Head, Education and Trainee Committee; Vice-director, Paediatric Residency Programme and Senior expert in Quality Management Systems in Clinical Services and in higher education.
Silvia Callegaro
SILVIA CALLEGARO, M.D., is a Paediatrician; Training researcher in Doctoral School of Developmental Medicine and Planning Sciences, Department of Paediatrics, University of Padua and Junior expert in Quality Management Systems.
Anna Mazzi
ANNA MAZZI, Ph.D., holds a Ph.D. degree in Management Engineering, Engineering Faculty, University of Padua; Owner of Research Grant in Sustainable Development, Engineering Faculty, Padua; Teaching collaborator, Engineering Faculty, Padua and Senior expert in Quality Management Systems in service sector and in higher education sector.
Antonio Scipioni
ANTONIO SCIPIONI, Ph.D., is a Full Professor, Engineering Faculty, University of Padua; Director of the Master on Strategic Environmental Management, Engineering Faculty, Padua; Director of the Environmental and Quality Studies Centre, Engineering Faculty, Padua and Member of the Accreditation Committee of SINCERT.
Paola Lago
PAOLA LAGO, M.D., is a Senior staff member of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Paediatrics University of Padua; Director of Quality Improvement and Risk Management Programme of the Department of Paediatrics, University of Padua and Faculty, Paediatric Residency Programme, University of Padua.
Maria L. Chiozza
MARIA LAURA CHIOZZA, M.D., is the Head, Quality Programme, University Hospital, University of Padua and Faculty, Paediatric Residency Programme, University of Padua.
Franco Zacchello
FRANCO ZACCHELLO, M.D., is a Full Professor of Paediatrics; Faculty of Medicine, University of Padua; Past Director, Paediatric Residency Programme, University of Padua and Past Chairman, Paediatric Department.
Giorgio Perilongo
GIORGIO PERILONGO, M.D., is a Full Professor of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Padua; Director, Paediatric Residency Programme, University of Padua and Chairman, Paediatric Department.