Evaluation of a journal club preparatory session on student confidence for a graded journal club.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION\nThe purpose of this project was to describe and assess the impact of a journal club preparatory session on advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) student confidence pre- and post-graded journal club.\n\n\nMETHODS\nA two-hour journal club preparatory session was implemented for APPE students on rotation with two clinical faculty members. The pre-assessment instructional activity was conducted the first week of each rotation; faculty members took turns working through a randomized-controlled clinical trial, highlighting and discussing key points based on their backgrounds and training. In week three, each student completed a graded journal club assignment that required a written critique and verbal presentation. Student confidence was evaluated pre-and post-activities; the pre-survey was completed prior to the journal club preparatory session and the post-survey was completed in week six.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThirty-two APPE rotation students participated in journal club activities, with 26 students providing complete data (81% response rate). Mean scores on confidence across all 11 items improved on the post-survey and were statistically significant (p\u202f<\u202f0.05). There were no statistically significant differences on change in confidence based on gender, age, with or without an acute care rotation, and with or without previous journal club experience.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nA journal club preparatory session that walks students through a process prior to a graded activity helps to increase student self-reported confidence.