A Practice-embedded, PDSA-guided Implementation Study of Continuing Professional Development for Stoma Care in a Resource-constrained Setting

Frontiers in Medicine (03/24/26) Bi, Ran; Zhao, Huixian; Tang, Lijun; et al.

Researchers implemented a pragmatic, nurse-led quality improvement initiative that embedded a structured stoma care program into routine practice within a resource-constrained tertiary medical center. The program combined specialist nursing leadership, standardized processes, practice-based education, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Across three iterative Plan–Do–Study – Act (PDSA) cycles, the Quality Stoma Practice Specific Program improved care standardization, continuity, infection control, and patient self-management support. Exploratory follow-up data from 27 patients showed descriptive gains in Emotional and Role Functioning but limited improvement in Social Functioning, though interpretation was constrained by the lack of baseline or control comparisons. Overall, the project demonstrates the feasibility of aligning continuing professional development with practice-embedded quality improvement, while underscoring the need for future comparative studies with longer follow-up to assess clinical and educational outcomes more rigorously.

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