Why projects fail, how one med student transformed her local emergency department, and why you should go looking for the people in the hospital basement. Join medical students Laura, Ryhan, Declan, and quality improvement editor Cat as we figure out how to start a project that could actually change something. Featuring an interview with Dundee med student Sophie, who completed a successful project that led to change. It seems like loads of med students are rushing to get a publication out before they apply for foundation posts, and sometimes audits or small local projects seem like easy pickings. But such projects have the potential to change the environment—right? If you want to learn more after this episode, check out Cat’s recommendation, How to get started in quality improvement, at https://www.bmj.com/content/364/bmj.k5437. Tell us what you think about the episode and your ideas for topics to cover later in the series by leaving a review or by using #SharpScratch on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

For more on the podcast, including how to follow Laura, Ryhan, Declan, Cat and Sophie on social media, visit www.bmj.com/sharpscratch