Virtual Journal Club Connects Evidence to Practice

Abstract

Advancing evidence-based practice in hospitals can be a challenge. To address this issue, a virtual journal club (VJC) was developed using available intranet technology. Research manuscripts are posted along with professional critiques and discussion questions. Comments from nurse VJC participants are reviewed by the hospital's nursing research council and analyzed for practice implications. Recommendations for practice change derived from the analysis are forwarded to the appropriate decision-making body for consideration. This process closes the loop ensuring that the VJC not only exposes the nursing staff to scientific evidence to support changing their practice but also may lead to institutional policy changes that are based on best practice evidence in the literature. The authors discuss the VJC and the outcomes of an evaluation project.

Enhancing Critical Thinking in Clinical Practice

“…11 Lehna et al 25 described the virtual journal club (VJC) as an alternative to the traditional journal club meetings. 11 Lehna et al 25 described the virtual journal club (VJC) as an alternative to the traditional journal club meetings.…”

The role of journal clubs in bridging the research-practice gap

“…28 The ultimate goal of many journal clubs is research utilization. 29,30 Some journal clubs exist alongside research, evidence-based practice, or shared governance councils and are able to work through these groups toward practice changes. 12,14,19,23 However, the influence of a journal club alone to change practice is generally limited to individual participants.…”

“…Journal club participants often report using research findings in their practice. 13,29,30 Journal clubs have also been reported to prompt local nursing research studies when appropriate support is available. 15,16 Unfortunately, nurses don't believe they have the authority to change practice and may perceive a lack of support despite participation in a journal club.…”

“…12,14,19,23 However, the influence of a journal club alone to change practice is generally limited to individual participants. 29,30 Journal clubs help individual nurses question their practices and make changes, but research utilization is likely to be widespread in organizations that promote staffdriven practice changes. 12,17 This contributes to nurses' perceptions that organizations are the greatest barrier to research utilization.…”

“…A journal club could be unit-based and cover research related to a particular patient population or specialty, or it could be directed toward a broader audience and focus more on critical appraisal and evidence-based practice skills. 29 Although our institution doesn't have an advancement program, we were able to provide 0.5 continuing-education credits per session. Another consideration was the format.…”