What is the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle primarily used for?

The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle is primarily utilized for problem-solving and improvement activities within organizations. This cyclical framework is designed to facilitate continuous improvement by allowing teams to plan a change, implement it, observe the effects, and then reflect on what was learned. Each phase of the PDSA cycle encourages iterative testing and learning, making it especially effective in refining processes, enhancing service delivery, and improving outcomes in various settings, including healthcare.

Using this model, healthcare leaders can systematically address challenges, test small-scale interventions, and apply insights gained to broader practices. It fosters a culture of learning and adaptation, which is critical in the fast-evolving healthcare environment.

In contrast, the other options focus on specific aspects that are not the primary purpose of the PDSA cycle. While enhancing financial performance, training staff on compliance mandates, and conducting health risk assessments are important activities within healthcare organizations, they do not encapsulate the core methodology and intent of the PDSA cycle, which is centered on systematic improvement and problem-solving.