CQI conference 2014

CQI journeys to success

The Lowitja Institute 2nd National Conference on Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care was held on 17–18 March 2014 at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) refers to a system of regular reflection and refinement to improve processes and outcomes that will provide quality health care. An increased focus on integrating CQI into the operations of primary health care providers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has been shown to yield substantial benefits.

Our goal is to make CQI everyone’s business. The conference provided opportunities for participants to:

• share knowledge about how best to embed CQI into everyday practice, ensuring better access to the highest-quality and comprehensive primary health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities including health promotion, dental health, social emotional wellbeing, alcohol and other drug programs (among others)
• learn about successful CQI examples and how best to transfer this knowledge to others working in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing space.

The conference was developed for service providers, including community-based community controlled services and government agencies, along with researchers, health industry and policy development government departments. 

Conference themes included: 

• CQI practice at local and/or regional level Consumer perspective
• CQI models and systems
• CQI influence on policy
• CQI data Accreditation
• CQI implementation
• Health promotion.

Related resources:

• Conference program 
• Conference report
• Major conferences put the spotlight on improving Indigenous health and healthcare, Croakey blog, 16 March 2014
• A wealth of stories and lessons – from the Lowitja Institute’s recent CQI conference, Croakey blog, 6 April 2014
• Videos from keynotes and sessions


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