Abstract
Background/Aim: Quality Improvement (QI) is fundamental to delivering safe, effective, and person-centered care, particularly in specialized fields such as orthopedic nursing. Although QI initiatives are widely implemented globally, limited evidence exists regarding how orthopedic nurses in Qatar perceive and engage in such initiatives. This knowledge and methodological gap necessitated this study, which explored orthopedic nurses’ perceptions of QI in a tertiary hospital, emphasizing the influence of leadership and educational programs on their engagement.
Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was employed following the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six orthopedic nurses between May and August 2024. Data were analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns and themes.
Results: Four key themes emerged: (1) Nurses’ perceptions towards QI, (2) Role of leadership in supporting QI engagement, (3) Impact of education on QI participation, and (4) Implementation of educational strategies. Nurses universally acknowledged QI as essential for improving patient safety and care quality. However, barriers such as limited access to structured QI education, staffing shortages, heavy workloads, and lack of transparency in staff selection for training hindered engagement. Leadership support was valued, yet inconsistencies in communication and staff inclusion were noted.
Conclusion: The findings show that although orthopedic nurses recognize the importance of QI, structural and educational barriers reduce their participation, highlighting the urgent need to build leadership capacity and improve transparency in access to QI training. Integrating structured QI education into routine clinical practice and addressing inequitable opportunities for QI involvement are essential to foster a culture of continuous improvement, strengthen nurse engagement, sustain champion roles, and advance patient outcomes in orthopedic nursing, particularly in the context of workforce shortages and leadership gaps.

Key words: Orthopedic Nursing, Quality Improvement, Experience, Qatar, Nurses