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What is the Collaborative QiPAT LX? 

The Collaborative Quality Improvement Project Assessment tool (QiPAT) Learning Experience (LX) is a Workplace Based Assessment (WBA) tool that can be used to provide formative assessment as part of an approved training and development program and/or for inclusion towards ANZCAP recognition.

It can be used to facilitate exploration of a pharmacist's contribution to a quality improvement project within their team, organization or profession and encourage reflection of the skills utilized during the project.

The main outcome of the interaction between pharmacist and collaborator should be to promote feedback and reflection of current professional practice in a situation that utilizes a combination of skills including (but exclusive to); communication, project management, process change theory, innovation and leadership in a chosen professional area.

Collaborative Quality Improvement Project tool (QiPAT) Process 

When used for ANZCAP recognition a QiPAT learning experience may be collaborative or autonomous. A QiPAT is best completed as a retrospective reflection once the project has been completed. 

The process for completing a collaborative QiPAT is as follows: 

The final discussion aspect of the QiPAT should be conducted in an appropriate working space that lends itself to privacy due to pharmacist comfort. 

Choosing a project

There is a wide variety of quality improvement projects that may be appropriate for reflection using the QiPAT LX.

Examples

• Review of factors contributing to near miss dispensing errors which leads to recommendations for a new checklist to complete after each medication is dispensed 

• Review of VTE prescribing compliance for all post operative surgical patients after the roll out of a new local VTE guideline. 

• Review of vaccination service to ensure compliance with all relevant requirements (reporting, strive for 5, service delivery etc) 

• Completing a Root Cause Analysis to address Quality Care 2020 non-conformances* 

*Denotes Learning Experiences that may assist in meeting Quality Care 2020 requirements 

Prior to the QiPAT discussion the pharmacist and collaborator should confirm the practice recognition level and clinical setting/topic that the situation that the pharmacist is aiming to show. 

Practice Recognition Level 

The QiPAT Learning Experience is mapped to:

• Domain 4 and 5 of the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia 2016. Please note that not all the domain 4 and 5 indicators listed in this document may be relevant to this Learning Experience.

• Domain 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 of the Competence Standards for Pharmacists in Aotearoa New Zealand Pharmacists, 2023. Please note that not all the Domain 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 behaviours listed in these competence standards may be relevant to this Learning Experience

Please refer to the ANZCAP recognition descriptors article for the further guidance on markers of performance for each ANZCAP recognition level. The pharmacist and collaborator should indicate in the Learning Experience which of the three levels of practice recognition (resident, register, consultant) they are currently practicing at or a candidate for. 

Complexity 

In some scenarios a similar quality improvement project may be used for pharmacists aiming for different levels of practice recognition. However, the pharmacist's role and the knowledge and skills expected to be displayed will vary. 

The pharmacist and collaborator should come to an agreement on the complexity (low, medium or high) of the case in relation to the level of recognition the pharmacist is practicing at.

Collaborator 

The collaborator must be familiar with the QiPAT LX. 

The Collaborator must ensure that they have the required expertise and scope of practice to confidently provide the candidate with feedback on the setting/topic being assessed in the QiPAT. e.g. a direct line manager or colleague who has experience with quality improvement projects. 

The collaborator should ensure that they have directly observed a significant proportion or key stages of the project being carried out by the pharmacist. Alternatively, if it is not appropriate for the collaborator to be present, they should be involved in debrief discussions at key stages before, after and/or during the project.

Collaborators may come from a variety of health professional backgrounds e.g., pharmacy, medical, surgical. 

Further guidance for collaborators involved in this learning experience can be found here. 

Reflection, Feedback & Goal Setting 

The main aim of the QiPAT as a Learning Experience is to promote feedback and reflection of a pharmacist's communication, project management, process change theory, innovation and leadership skills through real-time or retrospective review of a professional situation. 

Skill Evaluation

Within the QiPAT LX there are key skills (and descriptors) that the pharmacist and collaborator should discuss during the feedback and reflection. Each skill should be evaluated with comments from the discussion and a marker of; Not yet met, meets, exceeds or n/a.

Feedback

The QiPAT LX encourages use of the Pendleton feedback method to guide reflection. This method encourages self-reflection and proactive discussions for development. 

Development Goals

The pharmacist and collaborator are encouraged to utilize the SMART goal technique to develop any learning or development goals that are identified from the reflection and feedback discussion. 

Forms and Templates 

Evidence of the quality improvement activity is documented directly into the ANZCAP digital platform as a Collaborative Learning Experience (LX). For further step by step instructions on how to do this please refer to the How to complete a Learning Experience article.

If ANZCAP members wish to use a QiPAT form from their own organisation, the completed form may be uploaded into the Supporting Evidence section of the LX. (Please note that for the LX to become validated the candidate must still complete all sections marked with an asterisk (*) and the collaborator must document their involvement via the electronic collaborator declaration process).

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