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Background Dyadic Leadership Model PQI training opportunities Alum involvement

IH Physician Quality Improvement (PQI)

The Physician Quality Improvement program (PQI) was established to provide physicians with access to advanced training in quality improvement (QI) and equip them to drive meaningful system-wide improvements.

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Background

A horizontal logo that says PQI in big letters on the left and physician quality improvement, specialist services committee on the right.

In collaboration with BC health authorities, Physician Quality Improvement (PQI), a flagship initiative of the Specialist Services Committee (SSC) of the Doctors of BC, works to enhance physician capacity in QI by providing training and hands-on experience through action learning projects, ultimately promoting a culture of learning, openness, and dedication to improving the health-care system.

In 2019, the PQI program was introduced at Interior Health and has become a key driver of physician-led change in health care.

The Exchange: Quality Improvement Projects Directory

Dyadic Leadership Model

What makes a highly successful health-care organization? Interior Health leadership believes in pairing medical and operational leaders as a dyad to foster a culture of learning, trust, and shared vision.

Dyads, by definition, are two individuals who work together as co-leaders of a particular system, division, clinical service line, or project. A PQI dyadic partnership is two health-care professionals (i.e. a physician matched with an operational leader) who are committed to the partnership.

In British Columbia, the evolution of health-care delivery continues to shift from a physician and independent operational approach towards an integrated system that focuses on quality. This new approach aims to engage physicians to lead in quality improvement and innovate in a direction that optimizes service experience while improving patient outcomes.

Dyadic Leadership Model - Why It Works (white paper)

PQI training opportunities

IH PQI Level 1-2-3 Overview (2025)

Level 1 - Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Open School

Physicians are provided with a license to IHI Open School to complete introductory CME accredited QI course work, supported by five hours of sessional time:

  • Comprised of three self-paced online courses provided by the IHI Open School and a special presentation by Dr Don Berwick, a renowned name in the world of QI
  • Estimated time to complete training is four to five hours
  • Physicians are eligible for five hours of JCC sessional payment upon completion

PQI Level 1 sign-up form

Level 2 - Introduction to QI Workshop

Two interactive training days aim to develop introductory skills on how to test & measure change, understand systems, and build a team:

  • Provides participants with virtual opportunities to develop fundamental QI skills
  • Highlights the first steps in developing an idea into a plan
  • Physicians are eligible for sessional payment upon completion

IH PQI Level 2 Flyer

Level 3 - Advanced QI Cohort Education

Nine interactive training days with lectures, group activities, and workshops held over eight months

  • Full project support and mentorship from PQI Physician Coaches and PQI Staff
  • Dyad Partnerships to foster collaboration between physicians and Operations
  • Physicians are eligible for sessional payment throughout the duration of the training
  • Access to resources including data analysts, IMIT, Privacy Consultants and more!

Recruitment for IH PQI Cohort 9 is scheduled to begin in March 2026.

Alum involvement

Interior Health is committed to maintaining strong engagement with PQI Alums. Graduates of the program continue to collaborate and share best practices through an active Alum network, where they contribute to teaching and supporting new cohorts.

Alum support includes opportunities for further learning, to lead other QI projects and support the leadership of IH to tackle organizational priority areas. This network helps sustain a culture of QI, building momentum across the health authority.

Contact our team to learn more about Alum involvement

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