Abstract

A Journal Club can be a learning exercise that allows for the critique and pursuant analytic discussion of empirical studies, and encourages the public health, health administration, or health policy student to better understand how evidence-based research contributes to evidence-based practice. The purpose of this paper is to describe a learning exercise that implements the Journal Club to evaluate strengths and limitations of relevant research studies and their potential influence on evidence-based practice. This learning exercise was developed to increase discipline-specific knowledge and improve analytical thinking to form and communicate a well-researched and reasoned critique about current peer-reviewed research. Specifically, the exercise was designed to: (1) identify the peer-review process and its influence on evidence-based practice; (2) curate primary resources for selected health issues; (3) evaluate a published, peer-reviewed research article for its rigor and limitations with respect to reported methods, findings, and applicability to professional practice; and (4) facilitate a discussion about discipline-specific research in a concise, professional manner. At the conclusion of the exercise, graduate students, who are also working professionals, reflected on the utility of examining how evidence-based research impacts evidence-based practice. The benefits of this applied learning approach for students and the faculty instructor are discussed.

Department

Health Management and Policy

Publication Date

11-1-2019

Journal Title

Journal of Health Administration Education

Publisher

University Programs in Health Administration

Document Type

Article

Comments

This is an article published by University Programs in Health Administration in Journal of Health Administration Education in 2019, available online.

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