What are the features of high-performing quality improvement collaboratives? A qualitative case study of a state-wide collaboratives programme (13 December 2023)

Summary

Despite their widespread use, the evidence base for the effectiveness of quality improvement collaboratives remains mixed. Lack of clarity about ‘what good looks like’ in collaboratives remains a persistent problem. This qualitative study in BMJ Open aimed to identify the distinctive features of a state-wide collaboratives programme that has demonstrated sustained improvements in quality of care in a range of clinical specialties over a long period.

The authors identified five features that characterised success in the collaboratives programme:

1. learning from positive deviance
2. high-quality coordination
3. high-quality measurement and comparative performance feedback
4. careful use of motivational levers
5. mobilising professional leadership and building community.