A learning collaborative (LC) is a time-limited learning system that brings together peers from multiple organizations to seek improvement in a focused topic area, with guidance from a coach or practice facilitator. Participants in a learning collaborative receive training in quality improvement (QI) methodologies, and they are supported in applying those methodologies with their own teams. 

This approach was developed by the Institute for Health Information (IHI)’s Collaborative Model for Achieving Breakthrough Improvement.

Every learning collaborative has two objectives:

  1. Improve health outcomes now. Participants apply what they are learning while they are learning it.
  2. Build QI muscle for the future. Participants learn to apply an evidence-based approach to improving care. 

Learning Collaboratives…

  • Are time-limited (usually 6-12 months)
  • Have a defined group of participants
  • Have specific, measurable goals
  • Build knowledge through teaching, practice, and sharing

Learning collaboratives are different from communities of practice, which often continue indefinitely, have a fluid membership, and address challenges as they arrive. 

Overview of an EPIC Learning Collaborative

The EPIC Learning Collaboratives consist of three distinct periods: 

  1. # Pre-work: 2-3 months

    • A topic is chosen and developed in partnership with a committee of Alliance members and presented to the sector as a learning opportunity
    • Interested teams sign up and attend a meet & greet to learn more about the opportunity and assess their readiness for it
    • Teams prepare for the learning collaborative by assembling a QI team who who work with closely with the QIP Leads to put QI methodologies into action.
    • Each team identifies a locally relevant opportunity for improvement within the learning collaborative’s shared topic area. 

  2. # Learning & Action Period: 8-15 months

    • QI teams attend a series of didactic Learning Sessions which include training in data analysis and QI methods relevant to each stage of their project. 
    • Each Learning Session is followed by an Action Phase, in which QI teams spend 1-2 months applying their learnings to an improvement project. During the Action Phases, teams identify root causes, choose targeted improvement initiatives, and then iteratively implement, measure, and refine them.
    • Throughout this period, teams have access to  dedicated supports, such as individualized QI Coaching, access to curated tools & resources, and help using data to set goals and measure progress.
    • At the midway period, teams present their work in progress at a Sharing Session and reflect together on their practical learnings.
    • At the end, participating teams come together for a Capstone Session, where they share outcomes and a summary of their learnings.  

  3. # Ongoing Quality Improvement Coaching Support

    • After the learning collaborative ends, teams can keep working with their QI coach to continue their improvement journey. 

#Ongoing and Past Learning Collaboratives at the Alliance

LC 4 (2025-26) | Increasing access through intake process improvements – Using an equity-based approach

Building on the foundations of Learning Collaborative 3 – Increasing efficiency to improve access to care  – and by request from Alliance members, this learning collaborative will is supporting teams who are working to increase access to care at their organization through intake process improvements with a focus on equity.

LC3 (2023-24) | Increasing efficiency to improve access to care

This learning collaborative was developed to advance our sector's mandate of making interprofessional primary health care available to everyone, while also supporting our teams through a crisis in health care access and human resources shortages.

Representatives from some of the participating teams shared their experiences and learnings at the Alliance's 2025 Conference. 

LC2 (2022-23) | Foundations of Equity: Improving sociodemographic data collection and use

This learning collaborative helped teams improve the completeness, timeliness, and useability of their sociodemographic data, in order to better understand the clients and populations they serve, as a foundational step to advancing health equity in their communities. Read the final evaluation report here. 

The learnings from Foundations of Equity informed the development of our first Rapid Action Learning Intensive (RALI) - RALI for Sociodemographic Data. 

LC1 (2021-22) | Equitably Improving Cancer Screening Rates

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, cancer screening rates decreased across all primary care sectors. In response, the Alliance developed our first learning collaborative to help participating teams equitably reduce their cancer screening backlogs. Read the final evaluation report here.