Learning to Make a Difference (LTMD)

Background to Learning to Make a Difference

The Royal College of Physicians of London and the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) worked together to pilot the feasibility for a core medical trainee to undertake and complete a quality improvement project in place of audit in a 4-6 month training period.  The value of this proposed change was assessed both in terms of the learning and development of the trainee and the impact on patient care.  The framework and infrastructure needed for successful implementation of such a strategy was also identified.

The video below explains more on how the project works.

Why a quality improvement project?

Quality improvement projects represent a realistic and dynamic process that enable trainees to bring about a visible change to their training environment.  The methods and techniques learnt during the quality improvement project will help trainees to make change and enhance service quality throughout their careers.

Key findings of the Learning to Make a Difference pilot

The Learning to Make a Difference Pilot project showed that trainees were enthused by undertaking quality improvement projects that they could complete within the timeframe of their training posts. They felt that they made a real difference to patient care at the front line. 61 trainees undertook 46 improvement projects.

Next steps

We want more trainees to get involved in quality improvement projects over the next year. We want to provide the support for this through the resources available on this site and by developing support at local Trust level and central support from the college itself..

If you have any comments about the project or have difficulty finding any information, please contact LTMD@rcplondon.ac.uk.

Overview of the project

View the 2012 Clinical Medicine paper on introducing quality improvement methods to core medical trainees at the Clin-Med journal site