The Clinical Support Systems Program: supporting system-wide improvement.

The Clinical Support Systems Program (CSSP) provided a mechanism for change from the existing entrenched structure and culture of patient care to one based on patient-centred, evidence-based care. The spectrum of change and improvement achieved by the CSSP was extensive, with support from government and active and enthusiastic involvement of clinical champions, practising clinicians, consumers and managers. The CSSP experience confirmed that responsibility for quality clinical care cannot be borne solely by clinicians, and highlighted key areas where improvement in the support clinicians receive is needed.

Lessons from the Clinical Support Systems Program: facilitating better practice through leadership and team building.

The increasing array of strategies and models for improving clinical practice and patient outcomes can be confusing for clinicians. The Clinical Support Systems (CSS) model has proved to be effective in local environments because it demystifies the design and implementation of evidence-based practice improvement projects. The CSS model is simple and has a wide scope.

Turning an idea into reality to improve patient care: the development of the Clinical Support Systems Program.

The concept of the Clinical Support Systems Program (CSSP) was transformed from an idea into reality through the efforts of representatives of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. This collaboration involved developing common ground between two different perspectives: those of the funder/policy/administrative sector and those of the clinical practice world. Bridging these differences to establish an agreed approach to moving forward was a lengthy and difficult process.