Defense Health Agency (DHA) Fundamentals of A3 Thinking

Program Description

The DHA Fundamentals of A3 Thinking Course provides fundamental knowledge and skills for Process Improvement Project Leader’s to solve problems of practice and improve processes in local contexts through project completion.

0800 -1630 (ET)

Target Audience

This activity provides continuing education for physicians, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, social workers, psychologists, dentists, dental hygienists, dental technicians, registered dieticians, dietetic technicians, certified counselors, and healthcare executives.

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain Lean Philosophy and how it applies to service industries
  2. Describe the concept of 8 Step Practical Problem Solving (PPS)
  3. Understand the Origins and use of A3 Thinking
  4. Apply basic concepts of CPI during a Practical Exercise (PE)
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 7.00 Physician Assistants (AAPA)
    DHA J-7 CEPO has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 7.00 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until Tuesday, December 31, 2024 - 11:59pm ET. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
  • 7.00 ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit
    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education. ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit providers will be provided a certificate of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit providers may receive a maximum of 7.00 hours for completing this Course activity.
  • 7.00 Healthcare Executives (ACHE)
    By attending this program offered by DHA, J-7, CEPO, participants may earn up to 7.00 American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Qualified Education hours toward initial certification or recertification of the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) designation. Participants in this program who wish to have the continuing education hours applied toward ACHE Qualified Education credit must self-report their participation. To self-report, participants must log into their MyACHE account and select ACHE Qualified Education Credit.
  • 7.00 Pharmacists (ACPE)
    JA4008136-0000-24-043-L05-P
    No valid paper/electronic statement of credit will be offered. DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the American Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) to provide continuing education for Pharmacists. This knowledge based activity will provide a maximum of 7.00 contact hours of pharmacy continuing education credit. Participant CE records will be electronically communicated to CPE Monitor. There is no cost to participate in this activity.
  • 7.00 Pharmacy Technicians (ACPE)
    JA4008136-0000-24-043-L05-T

    No valid paper/electronic statement of credit will be offered. DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the American Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) to provide continuing education for Pharmacy Technicians. This knowledge based activity will provide a maximum of 7.00 contact hours of pharmacy continuing education credit. Participant CE records will be electronically communicated to CPE Monitor. There is no cost to participate in this activity.

  • 7.00 Dentists and Allied Dental Staff (ADA CERP)

    DHA, J-7, CEPO is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education (CDE). ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at ADA.org/CERP.

    DHA, J-7, CEPO designates this activity for 7.00 continuing education credits

  • 7.00 Physicians (ACCME)

    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    DHA, J-7, CEPO designated this Course for a maximum of 7.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 7.00 Nurses (ANCC)
    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Joint Accreditation/ Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) to provide this Continuing Nursing Education Course for a maximum of 7.00 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 7.00 Psychologists (APA)
    Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). DHA, J7, CEPO maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. DHA, J-7, CEPO designated this activity for a maximum of 7.00 CE credits. The instructional level of this activity is intermediate. There is no cost to participate.
  • 7.00 Social Workers (ASWB)

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, DHA, J7, CEPO is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 7.00 continuing education credits.

  • 7.00 Certificate of Attendance
  • 7.00 Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians, Registered (CDR)

    DHA, J-7, CEPO is a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Accredited provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). CDR Credentialed Practitioners will receive 7.00 Continuing Professional Education units (CPEUs) for completion of this activity/material.

  • 7.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE)

    In support of improving patient care, DHA, J-7, CEPO is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the health care team. This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 7.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.

  • 7.00 Certified Counselors (NBCC)

    DHA, J-7, Continuing Education Program Office (CEPO) has been approved by National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. . Programs that do not qualify for National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) credit are clearly identified. DHA, J-7, CEPO is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Course opens: 
01/31/2024
Course expires: 
12/31/2024

Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) Training Faculty has no financial or non-financial relationships to disclose. All relevant financial relationships have been resolved.

DHA J-7 staff, Planning Committee Members and reviewers have no financial or non-financial interest to disclose. All faculty members have no financial or non-financial interest to disclose.

Available Credit

  • 7.00 Physician Assistants (AAPA)
    DHA J-7 CEPO has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 7.00 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until Tuesday, December 31, 2024 - 11:59pm ET. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
  • 7.00 ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit
    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education. ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit providers will be provided a certificate of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit providers may receive a maximum of 7.00 hours for completing this Course activity.
  • 7.00 Healthcare Executives (ACHE)
    By attending this program offered by DHA, J-7, CEPO, participants may earn up to 7.00 American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Qualified Education hours toward initial certification or recertification of the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) designation. Participants in this program who wish to have the continuing education hours applied toward ACHE Qualified Education credit must self-report their participation. To self-report, participants must log into their MyACHE account and select ACHE Qualified Education Credit.
  • 7.00 Pharmacists (ACPE)
    JA4008136-0000-24-043-L05-P
    No valid paper/electronic statement of credit will be offered. DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the American Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) to provide continuing education for Pharmacists. This knowledge based activity will provide a maximum of 7.00 contact hours of pharmacy continuing education credit. Participant CE records will be electronically communicated to CPE Monitor. There is no cost to participate in this activity.
  • 7.00 Pharmacy Technicians (ACPE)
    JA4008136-0000-24-043-L05-T

    No valid paper/electronic statement of credit will be offered. DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the American Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) to provide continuing education for Pharmacy Technicians. This knowledge based activity will provide a maximum of 7.00 contact hours of pharmacy continuing education credit. Participant CE records will be electronically communicated to CPE Monitor. There is no cost to participate in this activity.

  • 7.00 Dentists and Allied Dental Staff (ADA CERP)

    DHA, J-7, CEPO is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education (CDE). ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at ADA.org/CERP.

    DHA, J-7, CEPO designates this activity for 7.00 continuing education credits

  • 7.00 Physicians (ACCME)

    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    DHA, J-7, CEPO designated this Course for a maximum of 7.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 7.00 Nurses (ANCC)
    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Joint Accreditation/ Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) to provide this Continuing Nursing Education Course for a maximum of 7.00 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 7.00 Psychologists (APA)
    Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). DHA, J7, CEPO maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. DHA, J-7, CEPO designated this activity for a maximum of 7.00 CE credits. The instructional level of this activity is intermediate. There is no cost to participate.
  • 7.00 Social Workers (ASWB)

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, DHA, J7, CEPO is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 7.00 continuing education credits.

  • 7.00 Certificate of Attendance
  • 7.00 Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians, Registered (CDR)

    DHA, J-7, CEPO is a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Accredited provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). CDR Credentialed Practitioners will receive 7.00 Continuing Professional Education units (CPEUs) for completion of this activity/material.

  • 7.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE)

    In support of improving patient care, DHA, J-7, CEPO is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the health care team. This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 7.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.

  • 7.00 Certified Counselors (NBCC)

    DHA, J-7, Continuing Education Program Office (CEPO) has been approved by National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. . Programs that do not qualify for National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) credit are clearly identified. DHA, J-7, CEPO is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Please login or create an account to take this course.

Accommodations for Learners with Hearing Impairment

Captions and transcripts are available upon request for all CE/CME live events and on-demand courses sponsored by J-7 CEPO.

Live events:
To request real-time, streaming closed captions, please contact CEPO at least three business days before an event begins. If CEPO cannot arrange for live event captioning, then a video recording and transcript of the audio will be provided after the event. 

On-demand "Home Study" courses:
You may request a transcript (a written account of a pre-recorded video’s audio content) upon registering for a CEPO Home Study course. 

CEPO can typically deliver a transcript within ten business days.

For more information, or to submit a request, please contact CEPO at dha.ncr.j7.mbx.cepo-cms-support@health.mil.