The foundations of quality improvement science

As an alternative to ‘Big Bang’ initiatives, Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles are an increasingly popular approach to conduct tests of change to support quality improvement in healthcare. Using PDSA can help clinicians deliver improvements in patient care through a structured experimental approach to learning and tests of change. Its facilitation of individual, team and organisational learning makes this an essential tool for the future hospital. This paper provides an example of the benefits of using PDSA in practice to test and develop a change idea to ensure it is fit for purpose. As with any new skill or competency, learning to use PDSA cycles takes time and practice and is necessary to ensure that the method is being used to its full effect. This paper explores some of the challenges encountered by clinicians in learning to use PDSA cycles well, and provides advice on how they can be overcome to help practitioners to get more out of using the method