Introduction to Learning Health Systems: Continuous Improvement Through Cycles of Learning

Learning Health Systems (LHS) are transforming how health organizations use data, evidence, and collaboration to drive continuous improvement in care, services, and health outcomes. In healthcare, continuous learning is the ongoing process of using data, experience, research evidence, and interest-holder perspectives to improve services, decisions, and outcomes. LHS provide a structured approach to making this continuous learning possible by creating cycles in which knowledge is generated, applied, evaluated, and shared to support ongoing improvement.
This workshop introduces key LHS concepts and principles, presents established LHS frameworks, and examines the Institute for Better Health's Learning Health System Action Framework. Through real-world examples, the workshop will demonstrate how LHS have been applied in practice to address complex healthcare challenges and accelerate evidence-informed decision-making. Participants will also be introduced to resources, tools, and supports available to help attendees begin or advance their LHS journey.

By the end of the workshop, attendees will be able to:

1. Define core concepts of Learning Health Systems.
2. Identify Learning Health System frameworks and describe the Institute for Better Health's Learning Health System Action Framework.
3. Describe how Learning Health Systems have been applied in practice.
4. Identify resources and supports for implementing a Learning Health System