Aims To identify enablers of success that can be used by junior doctors when undertaking Quality Improvement (QI) projects.

Methods In 2019/20 the Trainee Steering Group (TSG) of the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management (FMLM) conducted a survey of FMLM members which explored aspects of leadership and management development.

Results 64 respondents answered questions related to QI.

For those involved in successful QI projects the key groups identified in supporting the projects were Other doctors (57%), Consultants (54%), Audit/QI departments (34%), medical students (24%) and nursing staff (24%).

Factors which were felt to have enabled a project’s success were the involvement of senior figures (25%), importance of a team approach (22%), time to undertake QI, QI support (including QI departments, teaching and forums) (13%) and enthusiasm/perseverance (13%).

Ways in which respondents felt their employer could help make sustainable improvements included facilitating time to undertake QI activities (25%), supportive senior leadership and environments which support QI (23%) and mechanisms to ‘handover’ QI projects thereby overcoming the impact of short trainee rotations (14%).

Conclusions When junior doctors undertake QI projects their chance of success can be strengthened by working in a team which ideally includes a senior leader. They also benefit from engaging with their organisation’s QI resources and support. Finding time to execute the project is essential and needs consideration and planning.

Organisations enable the success of junior doctor QI involvement by creating environments in which QI is celebrated, supported and visibly encouraged by senior leaders. Developing a process for ‘handing over’ projects is recommended. Facilitation of time to undertake QI remains a key enabler.

The TSG have produced ‘Top Tips for QI’, a document to share these key messages with junior doctors, enabling them to learn from the experience of their peers.