Key facts

Overview

The Quality Improvement Science and Systems Analysis course introduces the principles and core methodology of industrial quality improvement methods with special reference to those which may be applicable to surgical services in hospitals. The aim is to equip students to understand how they may be able to improve the quality, reliability and safety of services and then sustain excellence of performance in their own practice through the application of tried and tested methods to achieve system change and the engagement of staff.

Offered by Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences and the Department for Continuing Education’s CPD Centre, the taught week is led by Dr Steve New, Lecturer in Quality Improvement, Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. It features face-to-face lectures and tutorials in small groups.

The course is a one-week module from the Surgical Science and Practice programme. It can be taken as a stand-alone short course or as part of the MSc in Surgical Science and Practice.

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Description

The Quality Improvement Science and Systems Analysis course provides the opportunity to learn more about and discuss the following topics:

• History and principles of industrial quality improvement
• Systems theory
• Measurement of process and outcome
• Process mapping and visibility
• The PDCA cycle
• Workforce engagement
• "Lean thinking"
• Diffusion of innovations
• Continuous performance monitoring methods
• Six Sigma
• Human/technology interactions
• Predictive and analytical methods for identifying risk in systems
• Incident reporting systems.

Click here to see an example schedule for the course.

Class sizes are kept small to allow full interaction with tutors. Study before and after the course is supported by a rich virtual learning environment.

Programme details

This course can be taken:

• as a 5 day short course (for credit or not for credit)
• as part of the MSc in Surgical Science and Practice

Venue

This course will be held at the Department for Continuing Education, Rewley House, Oxford.

Staff

Dr Steve New

Role: Tutor

Lecturer in Operations Management, Said Business School
Fellow, Hertford College, University of Oxford

Steve originally studied...more Physics at the University of Southampton, while pursuing an Engineering Graduate Apprenticeship with Rolls-Royce PLC. After spells in management consulting and the automotive industry, Steve pursued his doctorate at Manchester Business School, before taking up an academic position at the UMIST, where he taught for five years before joining Oxford - and the newly established business school - in 1996. Since then Steve has served in a number of roles, including Vice-Dean of the Said Business School and Investment Bursar of Hertford College.

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Certification

Short course participants who do not wish to undertake the assessed work required for academic credit but who do satisfy the course attendance requirements will receive a Certificate of Attendance. The pdf sample above is an illustration only, and the wording will reflect the course and dates attended.

Those successfully completing the couse for credit can apply to receive a CATS point transcript.

Assessment methods

Assessment will be based on submission of a set written assignment, not exceeding 4,000 words.

Academic credit

Those wishing to may apply to take the course with accreditation. The University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education offers Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points for the course. Participants attending at least 75% of the taught course and successfully completing assessed assignments are eligible to earn credit equivalent to 20 CATS-equivalent points which may be counted towards a postgraduate qualification.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available at the Rewley House Residential Centre, within the Department for Continuing Education, in central Oxford. The comfortable, en-suite, study-bedrooms are rated 4-star, and come with free high-speed internet access and TV. Guests can take advantage of the excellent dining facilities and common room bar, where they may relax and network with others on the programme.

Payment

The course fee includes tuition, course materials, refreshments and lunch on each day of the course.

Please see the MSc in Surgical Science and Practice page for more information regarding module fees when taking this course as a part of the MSc Programme.

Scholarships

Details of funding opportunities including grants, bursaries and scholarships are available here.

Fee options

Programme Fee

For students enrolled on the MSc: £1575.00

Stand-alone short course fee: £1890.00

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Programmes including this module

This module can be studied as part of these programmes:

• MSc in Surgical Science and Practice
• Postgraduate Diploma in Health Research
• Short courses in health sciences
• Surgical science and practice