Established in 2024, the Quality Improvement Pathway organizes current offerings in Quality Improvement (QI) across four years of medical school to channel the enthusiasm of students to become lifelong leaders in QI. This pathway provides learners with the knowledge, confidence, and necessary skills to accurately identify value deficits, effectively apply systems-based thinking, and successfully implement QI interventions. In addition, students will receive close mentorship from QI experts throughout Baylor College of Medicine (Houston and Temple campuses) and the broader Texas Medical Center. Graduates of the QI pathway will have a higher and more formal level of experience in QI compared to the national average, an increasingly attractive trait for residency applicants across specialties. As QI becomes an increasingly important part of physician training and practice, this formalized pathway will ensure that Baylor College of Medicine graduates are better prepared to address the important, timely issues of quality and cost-conscious care that will invariably affect their day-to-day lives.
How to Complete the Pathway
- Complete two required MS1 Foundational Electives.
- Complete one MS2 Foundational Elective.
- Complete 15 hours of Enrichment Activities.
- Complete the QI Capstone project and abstract.
Foundational Electives
- MEPED-567: Intro to Quality Improvement, MS1, Term 3
- MEMED-629: Skills and Advanced Topics in PS/QI, MS1, Term 4
- MEMED-648: QI Research Methodology Course, MS2, Term 1-2 (Houston)
- MEMED-649: Applied Quality Improvement Science, MS2, Term 1-2 (Temple)
Clinical Electives (Optional)
- MEMED-631R: Quality Improvement for Personal & Professional Development
- MERAD-200: High Value Radiology & Appropriate Use (2 weeks)
- MEMED-205: Hospital Medicine - BSL (2 weeks)
- MEMED-202: Comprehensive HIV Care for the Underserved (2 weeks)
- MEPED-516E: Patient Advocacy Clinical Rotation
Enrichment Activities
The purpose of the pathway enrichment activities is to provide a flexible and student-directed platform to obtain additional QI knowledge in topics that are of the most interest to the student. Enrichment activity requirements must be completed by Spring of MS4 year to complete the pathway. A total of 15 hours of enrichment activities are required.
(Required – 9.75 hours): Value Based Healthcare Modules
Students must complete the Discovering Value-Based Healthcare online modules as part of required enrichment activities.
- Introduction to Value-Based Health Care (2.75 hours)
- Value-Based Healthcare Delivery (1.5 hours)
- Improving Value at the Bedside (2.5 hours)
- Improving Value in Systems (3 hours)
Other Enrichment Opportunities to complete the 15 hours to complete the pathway:
- HVC/Choosing Wisely Lecture Series (1 hour each)
- QIPS Grand Rounds in: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, OG/GYN, or other BCM Departments (1 hour each)
- Other Pathway Director-Approved Activities
Capstone Project
Students will work with a faculty mentor on a Quality Improvement Project and submit an abstract for presentation at the BCM Annual Quality Improvement/Patient Safety Conference or another approved professional conference.
How to Commit to the Pathway
Students must complete the required Foundational Electives and meet with Pathway Leadership during the MS2 fall term to review the timeline to complete the remaining program requirements. After this meeting, students may submit the Medical Pathway Commitment Form available on the Medical Pathways webpage. Commitment forms are due by Dec. 10 of the MS2 year. Students who have completed all foundational requirements and wish to commit to the pathway after the deadline must contact the pathway director for approval.