Practice-based Learning & Improvement Project
CONFIDENTIAL (Peer Review Document)
PURPOSE1:
• According to ACGME requirements programs and fellowships must integrate the 6 core competencies
into the curriculum. One of the core competencies is Practice Based Learning Improvement (PBLI).
• PBLI is important because:
1) Physicians should have systematic approaches for monitoring and improving their practice.
2) Physicians must be able to recognize the need for positive change and instigate it rather than react to
changes made by others.
3) Positive small changes in small systems, such as an individual physician’s practice, can positively impact
larger systems.
• This competency requires that residents learn to investigate and evaluate their own patient care,
appraisal and assimilation of scientific evidence, and improvements in patient care. PBLI can be taught
and assessed through a variety of methods including mortality/morbidity and case conferences,
practice-based small group learning activities, evidence based medicine activities and practice base
learning improvement projects.
• In order to document PBLI and Quality Improvement activities (QI), each program is required to
complete a minimum of one practice improvement project on an annual basis.
• The Common PIF requests a description of one example and the outcome of a QI activity in which
either one or more residents and one faculty mentor participated.
PROGRAM INFORMATIN FORM (PIF) QUESTION1:
“Give one example and the outcome of a planned quality improvement activity or project in which at least one
resident participated in the past year that required the resident to demonstrate an ability to analyze, improve
and change practice or patient care. Describe planning, implementation, evaluation and provisions of faculty
support and supervision that guided this process. Limit your response to 400 words”
CHARACTERISTICS OF ACCEPTABLE PBLI PROJECTS2:
a) Resident/Fellows are involved in development or ongoing work of PI project
b) The project is based on at least one of the competencies
c) The project is either educational or clinical or research-based
d) The project includes:
a. completed initial measurement of one outcome,
b. plan for improvement,
c. plan for how and when to re-measure the impact of the intervention.
e) Clinical measurements must include patients cared for by the residents/fellows.
f) One resident/fellow (or a group of residents/fellows) and at least one faculty/mentor must be involved in
planning, implementation/intervention and evaluation of the project.
1. ACGME Institutional competencies http://www.acgme.org/outcome/comp/compCPRL.asp
2. Internal review of KUMC program ACGME citations and written feedback by RRC.s
Citation Information:
McClain EK, Babbott SF, Tsue TT, Girod DA, Clements D, Gilmer L, et al. Use of a Structured Template to Facilitate
Practice-Based Learning and Improvement Projects. J Grad Med Educ. 2012;4(2):215-219.