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Summary

This article contains information on how to complete a Collaborative Quality Improvement Project Assessment Tool (QiPAT).

What is the Collaborative QiPAT LX?

The Collaborative Quality Improvement Project Assessment (QiPAT) Tool 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:

🧩 Prepare

🗓️ Engage

💭 Reflect

The pharmacist identifies a suitable project that they have been involved in or led to utilize the QiPAT tool.
The pharmacist and collaborator should also confirm the practice recognition level and clinical setting/topic that the QiPAT is to focus on.

The collaborator should ensure that they have directly observed or debriefed on a significant proportion or key stages of the project being carried out by the pharmacist.
At conclusion of the project the pharmacist discusses the various aspects of the project with the collaborator(s)
Collaborator(s) engages pharmacist in discussion to further explore knowledge and skills critical to various stages and outcomes of the project.

This discussion should typically take 10-15 minutes.

Pharmacist and collaborator engage in reflection of this discussion utilizing the Pendleton/Positive critique method
Collaborator assists pharmacist to identify key development goals from the reflection utilizing the SMART goal method

The reflection and goal setting should typically take 10-15 minutes

The total time for a QiPAT should take between 20-30 minutes. However, the observation period may be over an extended period of time depending on the duration of the project.

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 tool.

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 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 on the learning experience tool which of the three levels of practice recognition (resident, register, consultant) they are currently practicing at or a candidate for. Please note that not all the domain 4 and 5 indicators listed in this document may be relevant to this Learning Experience.

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 tool.

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 tool 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.

Not yet met	Performance does not yet meet the expected for the indicated practice recognition level.
Meets	Performance meets the standard expected for the indicated practice recognition level.
Exceeds	Performance is above the standard expected for the indicated practice recognition level and is moving towards progression in recognition level.

Feedback

The QiPAT tool 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.

Although some collaborators who are also supervisors or clinical educators in a formalized training program may choose to use this tool as an initiation for delivery of formal teaching, this is an extension of the QiPAT tool and not a requirement.

Forms and Templates

The QiPAT tool is available on the ANZCAP Digital platform. Ideally pharmacists and collaborators will enter relevant information into the digital tool in real time and confirm involvement and accomplishment of the Collaborative Learning Experience.

Alternatively, pharmacists may use QiPAT tools from their own workplace and upload it to the digital platform where they can then confirm completion of a Collaborative Learning Experience.

For further details on how to complete a Learning Experience on the ANZCAP digital platform please refer to the How to complete a Learning Experience article.

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