Quality management methods in health care organizations require the active participation of physicians. Many organizations are successfully using a variety of methods to support this involvement, building on the underlying intellectual similarity between clinical practice to improve the health of individuals and quality management to improve processes of work. Important similarities include the scientific combination of theory and fact, the avoidance of blaming, the systematic analysis of variation, the use of experiments, the refinement and use of measurement, and the development of an extended professional community.