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The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model offers a structured approach to experimental learning and to change evaluation. This model has been adopted for use in health care as small cycles of change that can be completed relatively quickly and can be started with a small number of patients. Although designed to be useful and dynamic, PDSA should not be oversimplified as project facilitators should invest the time and rigor into the process for it to lead to informed action.
In this issue, Henrichs and Makic (2021) present results of a quality improvement project to increase oxygen therapy adherence. Project managers used the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model, and described the series of cycles of improvement as an important part of this model. Many authors of quality improvement reports have indicated they used the model, but they may have a misconception of the model and do not include the cycles of small changes characteristic of PDSA (Leis & Shojania, 2017). In this column, I will discuss the PDSA model, and why the cycles are important and should be reported adequately as Henrich and Makic (2021) have done.
History of the PDSA Model
The PDSA model was developed by W. Edward Deming based on the earlier work of Andrew Shewhart. Shewhart advocated a three-step scientific process of specification, production, and inspection. Deming modified this process and made it more understandable as the Plan-Do-Study-Act model. In Deming's model, these steps were not intended to be one cycle but a series of small cycles of...