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NU7011 Leadership, Quality Improvement and Governance (10 ECTS)

Learning Outcomes

Following completion of this module the student should be able to:

MLO-01

Critically evaluate current developments in the health care system.

MLO-02

Analyse the impact of policy and policy formation on service provision.

MLO-03

Critically evaluate the application of leadership theories to clinical practice

MLO-04

Discuss how changes theories apply to a change initiative in owns area of practice

MLO-05

Evaluate quality improvement models and strategies and their application to health care

MLO-06

Analyse the relationship between change and quality improvement in healthcare

MLO-07

Evaluate the application of patient safety principles and human factor engineering  in health care

MLO-08

Examine their own thinking and practices and reform these practices in light of new knowledge and insights

Methods of Teaching and Student Learning

Blended learning.

Module Learning Aims & Rationale

Clinical leadership and quality improvement are essential to clinical practice and health care, as evidenced in reports such as Quality & Fairness (2001); Clinical nurse/midwife Specialist role resource pack (2008); Future Health - A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012 – 2015; and Commission on Patient Safety & Quality Assurance (2008). The rationale for the module is to provide nurses with an understanding of the structure and functioning of the health services in Ireland and to explore the impact of leadership and quality improvement strategies on improving the provision of services. The aim of this module is to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to advanced practice roles so participants may make an effective contribution to the attainment of excellence in client /patient care, and to the development of both health policy and health services.

Module Content

  • Overview of health care structure, developments in health care & funding
  • Analysis of health policies e.g. Future Health - A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012 – 2015, implications for practice, strategies for service provision
  • Application of leadership theories to the health care workplace (Leadership for 21st century healthcare
  • Delegation in health care work environments 
  • Working in groups and team building in health care
  • Challenges in change management in healthcare
  • Application of change management theories
  • Nature and concept of quality
  • Quality improvement process in health care;
  • Audit, benchmarking and standard setting e. HIQA guidelines
  • Human factors & patient safety principles in health care