British Columbia’s Physician Quality Improvement (PQI) program celebrates its 8th birthday this year. Since inception, this program has produced amazing improvement work some of which we’ve showcased on this podcast. PQI has also generated a culture shift towards quality amongst the physician community throughout the province. Our special guest today is Dr. Curt Smecher, aka “Papa QI”, the person responsible for PQIs original vision and first training cohort. In this episode, we talk to Curt about PQI’s humble beginnings, the progress and impact of the program to date and its exciting next phase. We also hear how redefining barriers as “speed bumps” and a thoughtful, incremental approach towards its goals, has produced the program’s impressive results.

Abbreviations used during this episode:

PQI – Physician Quality Improvement

SSC – Specialist Services Committee, a collaborative committee between the Doctors of BC and the British Columbian Ministry of Health

Ministry – BC Ministry of Health

Fraser – Fraser Health Authority

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