Level 3: Advanced Cohort Training

​​​​​​Level 3 (L3) Advanced Cohort Training is our flagship training program, which runs from August to May (10 months) each year. 

​​Application ​

Applications closed for Cohort 7. Next cohort applications will open in Dec 2023.

For those who have applied already can still access the ​application website​ to make changes.

​​L3 Training Dates:

    • Session 1: Sept. 19, 2023
    • Session 2: Oct. 3, 2023
    • Session 3: Oct. 17, 2023
    • Session 4: Nov. 7, 2023
    • Session 5: Nov. 21, 2023
    • Session 6: Dec. 5, 2023
    • Session 7: Jan. 9, 2024
    • Session 8: Jan. 30, 2024
    • Session 9: Feb. 13, 2024
    • Session 10: March 5, 2024
    • Year end presentation: May 2 and May 8, 2024​

Why take L3 Training?​​​

  • Access to interactive training​ including lectures, group activities and workshops.
  • Physicians receive full project support and mentorship from PQI coaches and faculty, program advisors and data analysts.
  • Projects are endorsed by VCH and PHC medical and operational leaders. ​​

An ideal quality improvement (QI) project: 

  • ​aligns with ​the vision, values, and goals of the health authority

  • focuses on opportunities to improve quality patient care

  • has local, operational support

  • is amenable to a QI approach, where changes are developed and then tested locally with PDSA cycles (the project is not simply an implementation of a single pre-conceived change idea)

  • focuses on a problem that occurs frequently enough for meaningful data to be collected over a 10 month period

  • does not rely on significant investment of new resources (equipment, staff, etc.)​

Requirements​

​If you are selected for L3 training, you are expected to work on a QI project of your choice over a period of 10 months, and to participate in 13 interactive training sessions. A detailed description of the expected commitments is available below (Appendix A). 

​​​​​Prerequisites

  1. ​​Confirm the problem is a local and organizational priority (or get ideas on problems to focus on) through conversations with the Operations/Program Director of the area where your QI project will take place, as well as with your Department/Division Head. 
    • ​​If you are not sure who the Operations/Program Director is, take a look at these resources at VCH or PHC, or inquire with the manager of the area.
    • If you are still unsure, email us at medical.quality@vch.ca and we will be happy to assist you.
    • For community-based physicians - connect with your site's administrator and medical leaders to gain endorsement of your idea. 
  2. ​Obtain a basic understanding of QI fundamentals within health care - in order to acquire this:​
    • Complete L1 Training (ideally before submitting your L3 application, or at the very least, prior to the application deadline:​ January 20, 2023​)​.
    • Note: If you have already completed L2 Tr​aining (but not L1) ​- you are eligible to apply for L3.
  3. Commit to completing L2 Intermediate QI Training prior to the start of the cohort (September 2023) - E.g. signing up early for a L2 session will help you secure a spot. ​​​​​​​​​

In addition to these requirements, you are ​​highly encouraged to review the SSC Exchange to identify similar projects from where you could learn.​

​​At VCH and PHC, the following components are being implemented to support physicians in their quality improvement (QI) efforts and to strengthen the culture within our physician community.

 Topics include the following:

  • Model for Improvement – Plan Do Study Act (PDSA)

  • Privacy and Ethics in QI

  • Project management

  • Root cause analysis

  • Human Side of Change – Stakeholder Engagement

  • Data planning and testing Changes

  • Team Work & Communication

  • Sustaining and Spreading Improvement​ 

​​​​​Cohort 3 participants collaborating during a breakout session at our Advanced Cohort Training

Appendix A - Expected Commitments​​​​

  • Work on a QI project of your choice, sponsored and endorsed by your Vancouver Coastal Health / Providence Health Care medical and administrative sponsors
  • Keep your project sponsors aware of your project
  • Partnership - implement focused changes collaboratively with Health Authority staff and within established Health Authority operational processes
  • Champion QI within your department and share your knowledge and tools with colleagues
  • Training – attend mandatory training sessions: date coming soon​​

  • ​Read training materials and prepare for sessions with the cohort

  • Submit your monthly invoices for reimbursement

  • Present your project progress and achievements to your division, program, facility

  • Please acknowledge funding for your project in publications and presentations as appropriate. The acknowledgment should read "This project was supported by the Specialist Services Committee through the Physician Quality Improvement initiative"
  • Consider the PQI support team as a member of your working group for your project
  • Provide project status updates at training sessions
  • Provide monthly availability for check-ins with PQI team​