Motivation: the most basic process in TQM/CQI.

Quality management professionals confront the challenge of motivating others to participate in the improvement of patient care. Producing this motivation frequently proves problematic. This article addresses the issue of motivation by presenting it as a process. Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs functions as the foundation of the process. A process model is used to demonstrate that satisfaction of the higher-level needs of esteem and self-actualization is required to produce true motivation. By understanding the process of motivation, we may become more effective in improving patient care.