The purpose of this assignment is to evaluate how continuous quality improvement (CQI) is used within the health care environment. While health care organizations strive for the best possible delivery of quality care to patients and customers, the process of assessing, managing, and improving quality is constantly evolving and requires vigilant attention to ensure that systems are effective and that the organization is achieving its desired outcomes.  Discuss this evolution of quality within the health care industry and illustrate the role that continuous quality improvement plays in health care today. In a paper of 750-1,000 words, address the following: What is continuous quality improvement and how is it implemented in health care? Why is CQI necessary within a health care environment? How have continuous quality improvement efforts improved within the last 50 years? How have they improved in the last 10 years? What are the distinguishing characteristics of continuous quality improvement and how is it distinct from quality assurance? Why is cross-disciplinary thinking essential to continuous quality improvement efforts? How has this type of collaboration evolved within a health care context? Explain the scientific method of continuous quality improvement and provide a hypothetical scenario when application of this method would be advantageous. What do you envision for the future of continuous quality improvement in the health care industry? How do you predict it will evolve within the next 10-20 years?

Self-awareness combined with knowledge of various multicultural developmental models is part of the ongoing process of cultural competence and cultural humility. Remember that cultural competence is an aspirational goal. As you continue developing further awareness and understanding of your cultural identity, let’s further explore your racial and/or ethnic identity development. Part 2 of the Cultural Identity Development assignment, “Racial/Ethnic Identity Development,” asks you to apply a specific multicultural racial and/or ethnic cultural identity development model to yourself in order to increase your self-awareness.To Prepare for the Activity:Review all of the required materials under Learning Resources. Review directions for the week’s Assignment as well as for the entire module.Please review the Rubric for specific details and directions.The Assignment must be successfully completed by the end of Module 1 (Day 7 of Week 3).The “Cultural Identity Development” paper is a cumulative assignment is due at the end of Module 1 (Day 7 of Week 3). Complete each component of the assignment in the week that it has been assigned:Week 2: “Racial/Ethnic Identity Development” Each section will be approximately 2 pages in length, This week, you will choose one or more racial and/or ethnic cultural identity development models to apply to yourself. Please choose the model which most aligns with your own identity. It is unlikely that a model will fit your experience perfectly and that is okay. Choose the one that fits best for you. You are encouraged to review models in both the Learning Resources and in the Walden Library. Based on the model you choose, consider and apply your own identity development specific to this model.Here are suggestions of racial/ethnic identity development models to choose from, although feel free to follow another model:Multidimensional Model of Racial Identity (African American)Asian American Identity DevelopmentLatino/Hispanic Identity DevelopmentWhite Racial Identity DevelopmentMultiracial Identity IntegrationIn approximately 2 pages, describe following:Provide the racial and/or ethnic cultural identity development model(s) you applied to yourself.Explain each stage and provide an example of your own developmental involvement in at least two of the stages you have experienced.Explain insights you have gained about your own racial and/or ethnic identity by applying the model to yourself. ResourcesRequired ReadingsHijioka, S. (2006). Racial identity models. In Y. Jackson (Ed.), Encyclopedia of multicultural psychology (pp. 394–396). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE. doi:10.4135/9781412952668.n175Quintana, S. & Montero, R. (2006). Racial identity development. In Y. Jackson (Ed.), Encyclopedia of multicultural psychology (pp. 389–393). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE. doi:10.4135/9781412952668.n174Ridley, C. & Case, A. (2006). Ethnic identity development. In Y. Jackson (Ed.), Encyclopedia of multicultural psychology (pp. 179–181). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE. doi:10.4135/9781412952668.n92Then choose at least one from the following or find your own racial/ethnic identity development model from the Walden Library:Cheng, C.-Y., & Lee, F. (2009). Multiracial identity integration: Perceptions of conflict and distance among multiracial individuals. Journal of Social Issues, 65(1), 51– 68. doi:10.1111/j.1540-4560.2008.01587.xIbrahim, F., Ohnishi, H., & Sandhu, D. S. (1997). Asian American identity development: A culture specific model for South Asian Americans. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 25(1), 34–50. doi:10.1002/j.2161- 1912.1997.tb00314.x Leach, M. (2006). White racial identity. In Y. Jackson (Ed.), Encyclopedia of multicultural psychology (pp. 473–474). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.Ruiz, A. S. (1990). Ethnic identity: Crisis and resolution. Journal of Multicultural Counseling & Development, 18(1), 29–40. doi:10.1002/j.2161- 1912.1990.tb00434.xSellers, R. M., Smith, M. A., Shelton, J. N., Rowley, S. A. J., & Chavous, T. M. (1998). Multidimensional model of racial identity: A reconceptualization of African American racial identity. Personality and Social Psychology Review (Lawrence Erlbaum Associates), 2(1), 18–39. doi:10.1207/s15327957pspr0201_2