Duke University's Quality and Innovation Scholars Program (QISP) matches students with physicians and leaders in the Duke Health System to carry out health care improvement projects. So far, the program has reached almost 70 students. In the following interview, Chapter leaders Kathryn Hutchins and Maria Andrews explain how the Chapter got the program off the ground and how other Chapters can create their own practicum. OS How did the Quality and Innovation Scholars Program (QISP) get started? ... read full post

It's interesting to write about "the unique perspective of a business student at a health care conference," when I've spent the last 18 months bringing a health care perspective to business school.   As business students, we're taught to turn financial statements and models into investment decisions. As health care providers, we turn clinical evidence and buildings into care delivery. Both of these tasks are complex, but can be eased by the skill of translation. The business transaction begs ... read full post

It’s not every day that someone jumps up and down in the middle of a Starbucks. Sure, the drinks are good, but good enough to leave your feet? It turns out that Monica VanBuskirk’s excitement last week had nothing to do with her beverage. She’d just learned she won this year’s David Calkins Memorial Scholarship to fully cover general conference fees for this December’s IHI National Forum plus $1,000 for travel and lodging. “I was tickled pink,” VanBuskirk said upon hearing the good new ... read full post

As first-year medical students, we spend almost all our time reviewing material related to human health, disease, and the management of illness. This foundation is necessary for practicing medicine. But we want go above and beyond “necessary and sufficient.” We want to work together with our patients, colleagues, and communities to provide the highest quality, safest, and most effective care—every single time. The skills needed to achieve this goal are lacking in the traditional medical school c ... read full post