Both research and quality improvement are systematic investigations that may involve human participants, but they differ in important ways.
It is important to understand the distinction between the two as it has an impact on the types of internal or external approvals required before the project/study progresses. All research projects and some QI projects will need to be submitted for ethical review. This is required to ensure that the risks to participants are not greater than minimal and that there are appropriate protections for individual's privacy and confidentiality of their identifiable data.
A wide range of information, education and training sessions on QI and research are available to all staff within Metro North Hospital and Health Service:
Attend a Research Ethics and Governance Information Clinic. The clinics are held on a Monday and Tuesday morning each week, with two 30 minute timeslots available on both days, beginning at 09.00. Call 3647 1002 or 3647 1001 to make an appointment.
Access the MNHHS Research education and events site https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/research/education-and-events to find and sign up for education and training sessions .
The Metro North Collaborative for Allied Health Research, Learning and Innovation (CAHRLI) offers a bi-monthly lunchtime video-conference workshop series on research and quality improvement topics. Workshops are advertised on the site and pre-recorded presentations are available at, https://qheps.health.qld.gov.au/metronorth/allied-health/cahrli/rqis/cahrli-research-and-qi-series-videos
Ethics support https://qheps.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/2164442/Ethical-trigger-questions.pdf if one or more of the statements is true for your project seek ethical opinion from the Metro North Research Governance Office, contact details available at, https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/research/contact
External:
Two resources that can help to clarify the difference between the two are:
The Institute for Healthcare Improvement video ‘What’s the Difference between Research and QI? at http://www.ihi.org/education/IHIOpenSchool/resources/Pages/Activities/Moses-ResearchVsQI.aspx
The Community Health Network SlideShare ‘Distinguishing Clinical Practice and Quality Improvement from Research’ at, https://www.slideshare.net/WParkerNolenMBACIP/qi-vs-research-22615-edits
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