Evaluating the Quality and Patient Safety Competency Framework: A participatory approach

Abstract Background The Health Service Executive (HSE), in collaboration with University College Dublin (UCD), led a research-based co-design initiative to develop a national Quality and Patient Safety (QPS) Competency Framework, ‘The QPS Navigator’. This project engaged key national stakeholders to co-produce a framework aimed at standardising and promoting QPS competencies across the Irish health workforce. In the final phase, a qualitative evaluation was conducted to assess the usability and perceived relevance of the QPS Navigator to inform final refinements and prepare for its implementation. Methods A qualitative study using in-depth interviews was conducted with a purposive sample of 31 participants drawn from five key stakeholder groups: QPS managers, healthcare staff, academics, HR representatives, and patient partners. Participants reviewed the QPS Navigator in the context of their roles and explored their experiences, focusing on key implementation outcomes: acceptability, demand, integration, and feasibility. Thematic analysis using NVivo was employed for content refinement. Results The findings demonstrated high levels of acceptability and relevance. Participants praised the clarity, practicality, and alignment of the framework with real-world roles. Feedback led to specific refinements, including simplified language, improved visual design, and clearer role categorisation and explanation of how to use and engage with the document. Additional learning resources were also added, based on the feedback from testers. Conclusions This qualitative co-design evaluation ensured strong stakeholder representation and meaningful engagement, refining the document for usability and implementation. The QPS Navigator is now available through the Irish National Health Service website as a practical, evidence-informed tool to support consistent, system-wide integration of QPS competencies in learning and practice across the Irish healthcare system. Key messages • A research-led co-design evaluation ensured strong stakeholder representation, refining the Irish National Quality and Patient Safety Competency Framework for usability and implementation. • A qualitative co-design evaluation ensured stakeholder representation and meaningful engagement.