Title : Implementing educational rounding to identify and address practice gaps in ambulatory care settings
Abstract:
Background: As ambulatory care continues to expand in complexity and scope, organizations must identify innovative methods to support caregivers, standardize practice, and ensure high-quality patient care. Traditional education approaches often rely on retrospective identification of issues through audits, quality metrics, or incident reports. Educational rounding offers a proactive strategy for clinical educators to engage directly with caregivers in the practice environment, assess learning needs in real time, and provide targeted support at the point of care.
Purpose/Objective: The purpose of this initiative was to develop and implement a structured educational rounding program designed to identify practice gaps, enhance caregiver competency, and strengthen relationships between ambulatory clinical educators, leaders, and caregivers.
Methods: A standardized educational rounding framework was developed for use within a large healthcare system. Clinical educators conducted routine rounds using a data-based tool focused on clinical workflows, regulatory compliance, patient safety practices, caregiver turnover, and caregiver educational opportunities. Observations, caregiver questions, and identified opportunities for improvement were documented and categorized by theme. Findings were used to guide educational interventions, resource development, and leader collaboration.
Interventions: Targeted interventions included just-in-time education, individualized coaching, workflow clarification, competency reinforcement, creation of educational resources, and communication of key findings to clinic leadership. Trends identified during rounding informed broader educational priorities and system-level practice improvement efforts.
Results: Educational rounding provided valuable insight into frontline practice and facilitated early identification of educational needs that may not have been captured through traditional reporting mechanisms. The initiative strengthened educator visibility, fostered caregiver engagement, and promoted collaborative problem-solving between educators and operational leaders. Themes identified through rounding guided focused educational initiatives and supported ongoing quality improvement efforts.
Implications for Practice: Educational rounding represents a scalable and sustainable approach to advancing clinical excellence in ambulatory care. By bringing education directly to the point of care, organizations can proactively address practice gaps, support caregiver development, and promote a culture of continuous learning and quality improvement. This model may serve as an effective strategy for healthcare organizations seeking to strengthen competency, standardize practice, and improve patient outcomes across diverse ambulatory settings.
