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Table 3 Accreditation as quality assurance and continuous quality improvement

From: The role of accreditation in 21st century health professions education: report of an International Consensus Group

 

Quality Assurance

Continuous Quality Improvement

Goal

How can we ensure achievement of minimum standards?

How can we promote excellence and innovation?

Focus

What is below the standard?

What can be done to improve?

Characteristics

Summative

Formative

Quality judgments

Actionable feedback

Measurement against predefined requirements and thresholds

Feedback on strengths and areas for improvement

Preventing harm to learners and patients

Dissemination of innovations, leading practices, and “next” practices

Culture of episodic, high-stakes evaluation

Culture of continuous enhancement

Audit model

Coaching model