In the spirit of respect, we acknowledge the people and the Elders of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nations who are the traditional custodians of the land and waters of Australia, and the rights of First Nations peoples worldwide.

This book would not have been possible without the clinicians, other health services staff and managers, communities, policymakers, health support agencies and academics who have supported or contributed directly to continuous quality improvement (CQI) research and practice. We thank the health services that provided de-identified data on CQI and appreciate the extensive and varied contribution of so many people to the work that is reflected in this book. We also thank all authors of the peer-reviewed publications, tools and other knowledge translation products we have drawn upon.

We acknowledge the active support, enthusiasm and commitment of founding members of the Audit and Best Practice for Chronic Disease (ABCD) research program on CQI, and all later partners and collaborators in the ABCD National Research Partnership, the Centre for Research Excellence in Integrated Quality Improvement (CRE-IQI) and the Centre for Research Excellence: Strengthening Systems for Indigenous Health Care Equity (CRE-STRIDE). Thanks to the dedicated managers and staff of One21seventy, the National Centre for Quality Improvement in Indigenous Primary Health Care at Menzies School of Health Research, who provided CQI support and training to health services over several years.

Most of the research has been funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and the Australian Research Council, with in-kind support from partner institutions. One21seventy was supported with funding from the Lowitja Institute and from government and community controlled primary healthcare services.

We are grateful to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reference and Management Committees of the Centre for Research Excellence: Strengthening Systems for Indigenous Health Care Equity and to Kerryn Harkin for project support. Thank you to Adjunct Professor Tarun Weeramanthri and Professor Ian Anderson for contributing the Foreword.

Many people suggested resources and references, contributed to stories, gave permission for their words to be included or shared expertise in other ways. We thank them all.

Chapter reviewers

Almost all chapters have been reviewed by at least two people. Thank you to these reviewers:

Andrew Carson-Stevens, Cardiff University

Barbara Nattabi, University of Western Australia

Christine Connors, Top End Health Services, Northern Territory Health

Dan McAullay, Edith Cowan University

Danielle Cameron, University of Sydney

David Pieris, The George Institute

Elizabeth Ramsay, University of Technology Sydney

Gillian Harvey, Flinders University

Hugh Taylor, University of Melbourne

Jacqueline Boyle, Monash University

Janya McCalman, Central Queensland University

Jodie Bailie, University of Sydney

Judy Katzenellenbogen, University of Western Australia/Telethon Kids

Judy Taylor, James Cook University

Karen Carlisle, James Cook University

Kerry Copley, Aboriginal Medial Services Alliance Northern Territory (NT)

Kerryn Harkin, University of Sydney

Kristy Clancy, James Cook University

Louise Patel, Aboriginal Medial Services Alliance NT

Marea Fittock, Northern Territory Department of Health

Megan Williams, University of Technology Sydney

Melanie Gibson-Helm, Victoria University of Wellington

Paul Burgess, Northern Territory Department of Health

Roxanne Bainbridge, University of Queensland

Sandra Campbell, Central Queensland University

Sandra Thompson, University of Western Australia

Sarah Larkins, James Cook University

Stefanie Puszka, Australian National University

Tessa Benveniste, Central Queensland University

Veronica Matthews, University of Sydney

Vicki Saunders, Central Queensland University

People who shared experiences and stories, provided tips or project information

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reference Committee, Centre for Research Excellence: Strengthening Systems for Indigenous Health Care Equity

Amanda Robinson, Top End Health Service, Northern Territory Health

Danielle Cameron, University of Sydney

Danielle Jordan, Top End Health Service, Northern Territory Health

David Thomas, Menzies School of Health Research/Aboriginal Medial Services Alliance Northern Territory

Edward Strivens, Queensland Department of Health

Julie Brimblecombe, Monash University

Kathleen Conte, DePaul University/University of Sydney

Kerry Copley, Aboriginal Medial Services Alliance Northern Territory

Leslie Baird, National Centre for Family Wellbeing

Louise Patel, Aboriginal Medial Services Alliance Northern Territory

Mark Ramjan, Top End Health Service, Northern Territory Health

Megan Passey, University of Sydney

Nalita Turner, James Cook University

Shawn Cartwright, Top End Health Service, Northern Territory Health

Theresa Paterson, Aboriginal Medial Services Alliance Northern Territory

Note: Many contributors have dual affiliations (for example, with research institutions and health services). We have listed their main affiliation.

Thank you to peer reviewers

We are grateful to three anonymous reviewers who provided constructive feedback on the draft manuscript.