The RCSI Graduate School of Healthcare Management (GSM), in collaboration with the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua), hosted up to 170 global scholars and healthcare professionals at a Hybrid Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Research Symposium this week.

Attendees at the event, led by Dr Siobhán McCarthy (GSM) and Prof Ulfat Shaikh (University of California, Davis and ISQua Board Member) heard from RCSI and international experts on contemporary issues in the field.

Presentations covered key aspects of quality improvement, including building a culture of quality improvement in healthcare, promoting equity and sustainability, and the role of artificial intelligence.

The symposium also showcased improvement projects from graduates of the RCSI MSc Quality and Safety in Healthcare Management, which were undertaken in Ireland and internationally.

Further sessions shared the progress of the evidence-based Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Research Network (EQUIPS), strategies for identifying research priorities, and expert guidance for publishing in quality healthcare journals.

A central theme emphasised the importance of rigorous research and knowledge dissemination in advancing quality improvement.

RCSI President Professor Deborah McNamara and ISQua CEO Mr Carsten Engel commended the collaborative efforts between RCSI and ISQua, with a focus on future research presentations which will be made at the ISQua Global Conference which will take place in Dublin in September 2026.

Learn more about RCSI's Graduate School of Healthcare Management here.