This was an online knowledge exchange workshop for anyone interested in fundamental conceptual and ethical issues in quality improvement. It was based on an ongoing Wellcome Trust funded research project entitled ‘But why is that better?’ undertaken by Alan Cribb, Vikki Entwistle and Polly Mitchell. This explores what applied philosophy and ethics can contribute to health care quality improvement.
Alan, Vikki and Polly shared the aims and introduced some of the work from the project. There was space for discussion so that everyone can contribute and learn from one another. The workshop began with an overview of the project summarising the kinds of questions it is looking at and why the project team think these questions are worth asking. Key project themes that they will draw upon include the different meanings of health care quality, the ethical complexity of aspects of quality such as efficiency and person-centred care, the ethical costs of routine measurement, and the value of conversations in managing ethical complexity. This overview was followed by group work to explore participants’ reactions and reflections on some of these themes and the opportunity to highlight alternative themes, questions and approaches.
The workshop illuminated how philosophical and ethical issues have resonance or relevance to people who are actually trying to make health care better. We aim to generate an interesting, lively and challenging discussion, which probes beneath the surface of health care improvement.
This was effectively a ‘taster’ session on philosophical issues in improvement and, if enough people are interested in exploring some of these issues in greater depth, a follow up event will be arranged.
Download the slides from the session below: