Healthcare Improvement Science (HIS) is an umbrella term that aims to increase efficiency, efficacy, quality, and outcomes in healthcare. [HIS] draws on knowledge from various sources including research. It serves as a connection between clinical work, management, leadership, and factors like multidisciplinary teams, patient safety, quality management, change management, and professional development. [HIS] encompasses all actions like practice, education, science, and policy that can lead to better health treatments, system performance, and professional learning to benefit communities. [HIS] requires flexibility and responsibility in understanding, theories of knowledge, and applying research evidence to healthcare improvement strategies.

1. ISTEW WP4 Meeting Nov 2013 Agenda
Improvement Science Training for European Healthcare Workers
Workpackage No. 3: DEVELOPMENT OF CLEAR DEFINITION OF HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENT
SCIENCE (HIS)
Wednesday 27 November at 1700 GMT
WORKING DEFINITION OF HIS
Prepared by Dr Brigita Skela Savič, Associate Professor (CNJ)
Definition (proposal):
Healthcare Improvement Science (HIS) is frame for reach efficiency, efficacy and quality in health and
social care. HIS depends on knowledge from a wide range of sources, not just research. HIS is a link
(connection) with numerous variables in clinical work and management/leadership work like are: multi-
disciplinary approach, patient’s involvement, patient’s safety, total quality management, change
management, personal involvement of healthcare/social workers, personal development and
responsibility, team work/group work, connection between practice-theory-problems- research, etc.
HIS is thus an umbrella term for all actions (practice, education, science and policy), which can lead to
better health treatment outcomes (health), better system performance (care) and better professional
development (learning) and also healthier communities. HIS thus also demands flexibility and
responsibility in our understandings, in our theories of knowledge and in our use of research evidences
in health care improvements strategy.
Key words:
Kew words for HIS in your national language:
Sources:
Alan Taylor. First attempt at a synthesis of definitions, 24 November 2013.
Barbara O’Donnell. NVIVO codes for definition of Improvement Science, 26 November 2013
Contributions of members WP 4.
Jesenice, 27. 11. 2013
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