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Scholarly Activity

Practical knowledge of quality improvement (QI) methodology is a core competency for every physician. Scholarly Activity in QI provides medical students with rigorous training and mentored, hands-on experience in healthcare QI and patient safety, with projects tailored to individual interests and career objectives.

The curriculum integrates online, module-based learning with experiential, project-driven work. Students receive guidance and project support from advisers within the Office of Quality, Safety, and Outcomes Education, ensuring a meaningful and practical learning experience.

Students will also have the opportunity to work directly with our QI experts, Annette Irving and Eleanor Phelps, who provide guidance, mentorship, and support throughout the program.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion, students will be able to:

  • Articulate the background and problem statement and formulate concise aim statements for QI projects
  • Select and define appropriate process, outcome, and balancing measures
  • Design, conduct, and iterate small-scale tests of change using Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles
  • Appropriately apply core QI tools (run charts, Pareto diagrams, fishbone diagrams, etc.)

Structure and Format

  • Duration: one 12-week block (maximum 20 students per block)
  • Blended curriculum: Virtual and in-person meetings for coaching and ongoing project facilitation while students work full-time on real QI projects
  • Each student works closely with a faculty mentor

Project Options

Students may join established institutional QI initiatives or propose and lead original projects, tailored in collaboration with the track director.

Deliverables and Evaluation

  • A 5–10-page scholarly summary (excluding references/figures) describing project aims, methods, results, recommendations, and lessons learned
  • Formal presentation to faculty and peers
  • Encouraged dissemination of findings at local, regional, or national meetings
  • Pass/fail grading based on the final paper, evaluated using uniform UT Southwestern scholarly activity criteria

QI Electives

QSOE offers an MS4 elective to allow students to pursue self-directed study of quality improvement or patient safety topics of interest under the direction of UTSW faculty.  Contact the UTSW medical school course catalogue for instructions.

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