CDPA and the Learning Collaborative Model

The CDPA believes that this methodology can provide a rich framework for the unique blend of research and knowledge mobilization work that our CURA has undertaken. However, since the original application of this methodology is geared toward implementing relatively small changes in administrative or clinical practice in settings where participants have more control over outcomes the methodology had to adapted somewhat for our purposes.

Like IHI, the CDPA will focus on mobilizing knowledge around small concrete changes in policy that can be made relatively easily in a short time period. The CDPA has adopted the basic learning collaborative model where each Action Period or policy intervention will be approximately 3-6 months in duration. Each policy area team will undertake individual PDSA cycles simultaneously and share their learning with the other teams at regular intervals. A significant portion of each of the CDPA's semi-annual governance meetings will also function as in-person Learning Sessions where teams will share lessons learned ands experts in disability policy and advocacy will be invited to facilitate growth.

Because this was a new methodology the first PDSA cycles for each team were developed collectively by all partners at the second governance meeting. All partners were also invited to participate in an introductory "Open Hand PDSA" that was guided by the leadership group through which they could learn about how PDSA cycles worked in practice.

Next: PDSA's for Disability Policy Change