18 March 2025
To mark Juvenile Arthritis Day on 18 March 2025, BSR CEO, Sarah Campbell reflects on the JIA Learn quality improvement collaborative and the current momentum for transformation in paediatric and adolescent rheumatology.
When Dr Gavin Cleary and Dr Flora McErlane approached BSR in 2021 with a compelling case to lead a clinical audit in JIA, it was clear that their vision was strong. Their proposal was built on a solid foundation: clear desired outcomes, undeniable clinical commitment, and a crucial need to harness data to improve the specialty. However, we saw an opportunity to explore a different path—one that could accelerate impact and drive meaningful change in a shorter timeframe.
Rather than a traditional audit that would take years to yield actionable insights, we sought a solution that could support teams in making immediate, data-driven improvements. This meant turning to a proven quality improvement methodology and an expert delivery partner.
IHI's Collaborative Model for Achieving Breakthrough Improvement and RubisQi
The collaborative model offered an opportunity for teams to come together over 18 months, learning from one another while embedding real-time improvements. By leveraging existing data in new ways, teams could make meaningful changes without waiting years for refined audit results.
Led by Anna Burhouse, a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Director of Quality Improvement for Northumbria Healthcare, the ‘all teach, all learn’ model of the Breakthrough methodology ensured that every participant could contribute and benefit. Anna’s dual expertise in clinical practice and improvement science made her an unparalleled guide in this process, helping teams navigate the complexities of change in a demanding healthcare environment.
We’ve shared many stories about the teams and individuals who took part in JIA Learn, and now we are thrilled to showcase their experiences in our video below. Hearing directly from those involved brings to life the impact of the collaborative and the dedication of those working to improve care for young people with JIA.
At BSR, our mission is to champion the specialty, influence change and build a thriving community of best practice. JIA Learn embodies this. A full evaluation of the programme found that:
- Being part of a national programme convinced NHS management to allow clinical teams to allocate the time and resource for improvement activity.
- The collaborative helped participants feel more resilient and less overwhelmed by clinical pressures.
- Participants grew their professional network and loved learning from other teams.
- Improvement habits and skills were learnt and embedded and participants will go on to lead further improvement work.
Locally, teams made measurable advancements in patient experience and showed early signs of wider improvements in patient care. All committed to going further.
Cause and effect is a difficult thing to claim, but it’s clear that JIA Learn has at least been of a growing movement across paediatric and adolescent rheumatology to improve patient outcomes. Hot on the heels of JIA Learn, the Getting It Right First Time programme launched its review of paediatric rheumatology with Gavin and Flora picking up the national leadership roles. We’re really looking forward to their national report and believe that it will complement and echo the recently published NCEPOD review of quality in JIA. Together this work is providing evidence of what great looks like, which will help tailor and target improvement initiatives to the right priorities.
And there’s more to come, including work on a new treatment pathway for JIA and our own JIA guideline, which will address the needs of children, adolescents and adults with JIA.
We are immensely to be a part of this movement. Through JIA Learn we have helped foster a community of clinicians equipped with the skills and mindset to drive continuous improvement. As national programmes continue to evolve, this foundation will be instrumental in ensuring lasting, meaningful change that benefits patients and their families.
Sarah Campbell
BSR CEO
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