Course Overview
This course focuses on healthcare politics and quality improvement (QI). Learners will explore the concepts and processes of QI and examines the importance of QI processes in improving healthcare. This is a blended course that provides opportunities for learners to examine competing priorities, power dynamics, and influential barriers as forces within the healthcare system that affect the quality of healthcare. Additionally learners will consider how political environments, legislation and health policy impact quality improvement in healthcare organizations locally and globally. Learners explore how professional nursing organizations influence health policy and how nurses can act to address local and global health issues. Subsequently, learners will apply the QI process. They will identify a clinically relevant QI project to address in a practice setting, consider organizational change theory and it’s applicability to their planned initiative, form teams that create and plan a project that contributes to improved care and client outcomes, and implement their quality improvement project. The QI project will be considered within the context of interprofessional healthcare and from a systems perspective. Learners will apply collaborative teamwork skills and systems thinking. Learners will develop knowledge and skills in the science of quality improvement and take action to improve the quality of care for clients.
Prerequisite(s)
Credits
3.0
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, the student will meet the following competencies:
Advocate
- Collaborates with health-care team members and professional organizations to raise awareness of health inequities, advocate for changes to unethical health and social policies, legislation and regulation, and ensure equitable access to healthcare
- Examines and challenges the influence of power within organizational, social, economic and political contexts that influence health and well-being within the context of nurses’ role in the delivery of care
- Works individually and with others for social justice and to advocate for laws, policies, and procedures designed to promote equity, safety and quality of care
- Advocates for policies and programs that effectively address the determinants of health
Decision Maker
- Actively participates in the continuous improvement of health care quality and patient safety
Global Citizen
- Accurately assesses the impact of public policies on the performance of one’s domain of responsibility and the ability to influence public policymaking at both local and federal levels
Leader
- Promotes teamwork and garners commitment and participation of others that will optimize nursing practice and client care
- Facilitates organizational change initiatives
Lifelong Learner
- Promotes sustainability and continuous quality improvement in healthcare
Professional
- Acts to enhance the quality of the practice environment
- Advocates for policies and practices consistent with the standards of the profession
Effective as of Winter 2022
Related Programs
Nursing and Health Care (BSNC 8020) is offered as a part of the following programs:
School of Health Sciences
- Nursing
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Full-time
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.