Clinical audit and quality improvement are cornerstones of a modern, effective healthcare system, ensuring that services are delivered to the highest possible standard and are aligned with best practice. By systematically reviewing clinical care against explicit criteria, professionals can identify gaps, implement changes, and continuously enhance patient outcomes. This training course provides a structured and practical framework for mastering the principles and methodologies required to conduct impactful audits and lead sustainable quality improvement initiatives.

This program is designed for healthcare professionals who are committed to making a tangible difference in their practice. You will gain a deep understanding of the audit cycle, from topic selection and data collection to implementing change and re-auditing. The course will also introduce you to key quality improvement tools and techniques, empowering you to move from identifying problems to creating lasting solutions. By the end of this course, you will be equipped to champion a culture of continuous improvement within your organization.

Duration

5 days

Target Audience

• Clinical managers and team leads
• Doctors, nurses, and other allied health professionals
• Quality improvement and patient safety officers
• Healthcare administrators
• Clinical audit facilitators
• Public health professionals
• Research and development staff
• Hospital administrators and directors
• Individuals involved in accreditation processes
• Aspiring leaders in healthcare

Objectives

• Understand the full clinical audit cycle.
• Differentiate between clinical audit, research, and service evaluation.
• Select appropriate topics and criteria for a clinical audit.
• Design effective data collection tools.
• Analyze and interpret audit data.
• Lead a quality improvement project.
• Use change management principles to embed improvements.
• Effectively report and present audit findings.
• Champion a culture of continuous quality improvement.

Course Modules

Module 1: Fundamentals of Clinical Audit

• The definition and purpose of clinical audit.
• The differences between audit, research, and service evaluation.
• The six stages of the clinical audit cycle.
• The role of standards, guidelines, and criteria in an audit.
• Ethical and governance considerations in clinical audit.

Module 2: The Audit Cycle: Planning and Data Collection

• Choosing an audit topic and developing a clear question.
• Identifying stakeholders and forming an audit team.
• Designing data collection tools and methods.
• Developing a robust sampling strategy.
• Planning the logistics and timeline for your audit.

Module 3: Data Analysis and Reporting

• Analyzing quantitative and qualitative audit data.
• Visualizing data to highlight key findings.
• Writing a compelling and clear audit report.
• Presenting findings to stakeholders and management.
• Developing realistic and measurable recommendations.

Module 4: Quality Improvement Methodologies

• The principles of quality improvement (QI).
• Introduction to the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle.
• Using QI tools such as fishbone diagrams and Pareto charts.
• Understanding root cause analysis.
• The role of leadership in driving quality improvement.

Module 5: Implementing Change and Sustaining Improvement

• Developing an action plan based on audit recommendations.
• Overcoming barriers to change in a healthcare setting.
• Using change management models to embed new processes.
• The importance of staff engagement and communication.
• Creating a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Module 6: Re-audit and Project Closure

• The importance of the re-audit in the cycle.
• Designing and conducting a successful re-audit.
• Measuring the impact of implemented changes.
• Documenting lessons learned for future projects.
• Officially closing the audit project.

Module 7: Practical Application and Case Studies

• Working through a full-scale clinical audit project from start to finish.
• Applying all stages of the audit cycle to a real-world scenario.
• Group discussions on successful and unsuccessful audits.
• Peer review of audit plans and reports.
• Developing a personal plan to apply learned skills in your own practice.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.