Postgraduate course in Methodology of evaluation and improvement of the quality of care

Between April 18 and 22, the participants in the 21st edition of the Postgraduate Course in Methodology for the Evaluation and Improvement of the Quality of Care had the opportunity to reflect on contents as varied as: the publication of experiences and quality initiatives, advanced literature searches, person-centered care, how to reduce the variability of care practice, the implementation of improvement strategies, the motivation of work teams, interpersonal communication and the conduction of meetings. The intensive dedication during a full week facilitates the approach of all these contents; and, evidently, some dynamics that contribute to the consolidation of learning make the afternoons much more enjoyable.

Based on Edward de Bono's technique of the six hats, we reflected and practiced on how to conduct business meetings more effectively and efficiently. Each of the six hats represent different ways of thinking; the red hat is the time in the meeting when emotional aspects were being worked on and the black hat allowed participants to reflect on everything that can go wrong, but only during one part of the meeting. 

The other colored hats allow the meeting moderator (blue hat) to accompany the group towards the presentation of information and facts (white hat), positive aspects (yellow hat), brainstorming or creative spaces (green hat). The use of the hats facilitates, through the use of the hats, spaces for all participants to proactively expose the different views we have on the same issue.

Making work meetings productive is, as all members of the group agreed, a challenge and all strategies, adapted to the reality of each team, can be useful. This one was very well appreciated by the participants in the training. We hope that it will also be useful for our followers.