KRAKÓW, POLAND – As we count down to 21–23 May 2026, the spotlight turns to a session designed to flip the script on quality management. This year’s theme, "Strengthening the Heart of Primary Care: Well-being and Resilience in Family Physicians," finds a perfect catalyst in the upcoming workshop led by Joel Lehmann: "Quality Improvement as a Driver of Joy in Work." ๐
Joining Joel as facilitators are Dr. Andrée Rochfort and Dr. José M. Bueno. Following our recent Expert Spotlight with Dr. Andrée Rochfort https://www.qualityfamilymedicine.eu/news/view/equip-krakow-2026-interview-dr-andr%C3%A9e-rochfort-on-strengthening-the-heart-of-primary-care-well-being , who noted that "If we lose the joy, we lose care quality, and the doctor," we dived deeper with Joel on how this workshop provides a practical framework for this transformation. ๐
1. Connecting to the Theme: How can reframing Quality Improvement (QI) from an external obligation to an internal driver actually protect clinicians from burnout?
Quality management can either contribute to burnout or help protect against it—depending on how it is perceived. Any activity experienced as "imposed" tends to accelerate burnout. When quality is framed primarily as compliance, it risks becoming another burden. By contrast, when it is internally driven and meaningful, it can restore a sense of purpose and be a source of energy! โก
2. The Person-Centred Link: How does focusing on the relationship between the professional and the patient act as a prerequisite for sustainable quality?
Person-centred care evolved to reflect that the well-being of healthcare professionals is also part of quality. By focusing on the relationship between professional and patient, we move towards true co-production of care. ๐ค
3. Overcoming Resistance: What is the biggest misunderstanding doctors have about quality initiatives today?
One of the biggest misunderstandings is that quality is static—something to be "achieved" as an endpoint. In reality, quality in healthcare is dynamic. It is an attitude of continuous self-improvement. Quality is not about being good; it’s about becoming better. ๐ฑ
4. Intrinsic Motivation: Why are intrinsic drivers so much more powerful for quality than regulatory accreditation?
Intrinsic drivers are powerful because they align with natural motivation and inclination. When quality is internally driven, it flows consistently, making it sustainable in practice. ๐
5. Workshop Experience: Why is "narrative" such an important tool for changing healthcare culture?
Storytelling is the natural way humans make sense of reality. If we want to shift behaviors, we need to work with these narratives—using images and metaphors that resonate both consciously and subconsciously. ๐
6. Final Thoughts: A message for the community?
Ultimately, I think the essence of joy—in life, in work, and in general practice—is about living without fear and living with love. โค๏ธ
Role: Executive Director of the EQUAM Foundation, a Swiss non-profit dedicated to supporting quality improvement in ambulatory healthcare.
Expertise: EQUAM is renowned for its accreditation programmes for family practitioners, specialist practices, and doctors’ networks, with a strong focus on patient surveys (PREMS and PROMS). Joel also serves as a board member of the Association for Value-Based Health Care in Switzerland.
Background: Trained in social sciences, Joel spent over a decade in Kenya conducting applied health research through his company, Infospective Research.
Leadership: Current Honorary Secretary of EQuiP and the EQuiP representative on the WONCA Europe Executive Board (WEEB). Former International Officer for semFYC.
Specialization: A veteran GP with 35 years of frontline clinical experience and a former tutor for the Master of Quality Management (University of Murcia). He is a recognized expert in deprescribing, having led numerous workshops on polypharmacy and patient safety.
Leadership: Former President of EQuiP.
ICGP Roles: Director of the Quality Improvement and Health in Practice Programmes at the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP).
Focus: A leading European voice in the "Quadruple Aim" and clinician well-being.
Dates: 21–23 May 2026
Location: Kraków, Poland ๐ฐ
Theme: Strengthening the Heart of Primary Care: Well-being and Resilience in Family Physicians.
[Register for the Conference Here] https://conference.qualityfamilymedicine.eu/page/registration ๐๏ธ Secure your spot to help strengthen the heart of Primary Care! โจ
This article was published under the category 68th EQuiP Conference Announcements on 24/04/2026 06:00.EQuiP is open to both Individual and Organizational Memberships. EQuiP offers a platform to improve the knowledge base and to improve closer collaboration between GPs / Family Doctors, researchers, educators, policy makers and organisations involved in quality and safety in family medicine and primary care.
