Hands-on tools, templates & strategies customized for osteopathic medicine
This resource guide is designed to support DOs in their Quality Improvement (QI) efforts by providing practical tools, templates and strategies tailored to the unique needs of osteopathic practices. The resource guide emphasizes holistic, patient-centered care, a core principle of osteopathic medicine, while integrating evidence-based methodologies from various improvement frameworks.
A step-by-step process is detailed below. Users may also utilize the quick guide for faster completion of a QI project.
Getting started (project initiation)
Outline your project’s goals and bring together a dedicated team.
Understanding the current situation (current state analysis)
Use the right tools to gain a comprehensive understanding of how things currently operate in the system/workplace you want to improve.
Setting up metrics (establish measures)
Create a detailed plan for how you will measure progress, focusing on outcomes, processes and any side effects.
Designing the future (future state design)
Develop and prioritize practical, high-impact solutions that tackle the root causes of the issues.
Testing & implementation
Test your solutions in real-world scenarios to see what works. Refine your approach through repeated trials until your desired future state becomes the present reality.
Maintaining improvements (sustain)
Ensure that the changes you’ve made continue to work effectively long after they’re put in place.
Begin your improvement project by clearly defining your goals and assembling a multidisciplinary team. In osteopathic practices, it is crucial to include members who understand the holistic approach to patient care, such as physicians, nurses, administrative staff and potentially even patients or their families.
Analyze your current practice environment to identify areas for improvement. Focus on understanding the entire patient journey, from scheduling and consultation to treatment and follow-up, to capture a comprehensive view of your practice’s operations.
Design a measurement plan that captures both clinical outcomes and holistic patient experiences. In osteopathic practices, it’s important to include measures that reflect the whole-person approach to care, such as patient satisfaction, quality of life and overall well-being.
Develop and prioritize solutions that enhance holistic, patient-centered care. Focus on creating sustainable changes that integrate osteopathic principles into every aspect of patient interaction.
Test your solutions on a small scale to ensure they work within the context of osteopathic practice. Use iterative cycles of testing and refinement to adapt your solutions based on feedback and results.
Ensure that improvements are sustained over time by integrating new practices into the standard operating procedures. Continue to monitor outcomes and patient feedback to maintain high standards of holistic care.