Introducing the challenge of quality in health care
Learning outcomes
After completing this chapter, you should be able to:
- Define what quality healthcare is and why this matters.
- Discuss the contribution of research in advancing the care of patients/clients in nursing, midwifery, and healthcare.
- Develop an understanding of how quality improvement projects contribute to improving the quality and standards of care.
This book introduces you to principles of clinical research, in which you will gain an understanding of essential concepts related to research and undertake your own clinical audit or quality improvement project. This will allow you to apply these concepts in real-world settings. As you progress, your learning will build upon itself, aiding in the planning and execution of your project.
To maximise your learning experience and to effectively engage with the activities in this book, consider identifying an area of clinical practice that particularly interests you. This could involve topics such as patient safety, infection control, communication of care, or any other relevant subject.
Before we formally begin, take a moment to reflect on your observations in clinical practice.
