There are an ever-growing number of ways to get involved with other members, to learn, share and collaborate on work together. And remember the old maxim: the more you put in, the more you get out.

Here’s an overview…

1. Connect with others

Join a buzzing community of 1000s of people by following our Twitter account, and view members who are on Twitter and their tweets on the Twitter list. (You can also use #Qcommunity to find or tag Q-related conversations). Twitter is a great place to share your work, ask for help, and more…

You will find all members listed in the online directory (have you added biographic information/interests to your profile, or offered a talk, yet?).

Enjoy some organised serendipity: have a chat with a randomly chosen member every month: find out more or join Q’s Randomised Coffee Trials.

2. Share

Use this website to spread the word about your work: if you’re a member you can add your news and other reports or publicicise an upcoming event.

You can also share via the Q-municate e-newsletter (email Q@health.org.uk with your contributions) and Q’s LinkedIn group.

3. Collaborate and take action

Join one of the many Special Interest Groups – from human factors, primary care and communities of practice, to renal care, evaluation and Learning from Excellence. Or start a new one, if a topic you’re passionate about isn’t listed.

There are many other ways to get involved in Q in your area: look out for communities of practice, ‘swarms’ and more. Twitter and LinkedIn can help too – use them for help and advice, and to seek collaborators.

Many members have taken up the opportunity to get involved with the first Q Improvement Lab – which is looking at the challenge of making effective peer support available to everyone.

4. Develop your skills

Members have access to BMJ Quality that gives you the opportunity to write up your quality improvement projects and publish them in BMJ Open Quality free of charge, as well as free access to the BMJ Quality and Safety journal.  You can also access the high-quality improvement training resources of IHI Open School. For further details log in to the journals and learning resources page.

Take a look at the Talks list and invite a member to give an improvement related talk, either in person or online.

Members can also take part in a range of Q visits, a regular programme of visits to organisations doing interesting work, within and outside of the health and care sector.

5. Attend events

There are local and national events (please add yours), both face-to-face and online. They include everything from conferences, celebrations, webinars and welcome events for new members to breakfasts… and even curry evenings.

Link
See the Q Get Involved page.

*This is an updated version of a blog that first appeared in November 2016.