The Use of Pharmacology-Focused Journal Clubs in Health Sciences Education: A Descriptive Study

• Published in: Advances in medical education and practice Vol. 16; pp. 255 - 261
• Main Authors: Pérez-Baena, Manuel Jesús, Holgado-Madruga, Marina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01.01.2025; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Dove; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Analysis; Behavioral health care; Continuing education; Critical thinking; Education; Evidence-based medicine; evidence-based practice; health professional competencies; Health sciences; higher education; journal club; Knowledge; Medical personnel; Nurses; Nursing; Nursing education; Original Research; Pharmacology; Professionals; Questionnaires; Reading; Sciences education; sdg4: quality education; Students; Training; Spain; higher education; evidence-based practice; journal club; SDG4: quality education; health professional competencies
• ISSN: 1179-7258; 1179-7258
• DOI: 10.2147/AMEP.S498412

Physicians and nurses have a responsibility to provide evidence-based care to patients, which requires continuing education. The journal club model is an educational and collaborative tool widely used in healthcare for this purpose. However, further studies investigating the effectiveness and perception of participants are needed. The aim of this study is to explore the experience of medical and nursing students with the journal club approach applied to the subject of pharmacology. Journal club sessions were developed within the pharmacology class of the medical and nursing degrees during the academic year 2023-2024. A total of 208 students participated in the study. 90 students (43.3%) were enrolled in the nursing degree course, while 118 (56.7%) were enrolled in the medical degree course. Students' perceptions were assessed through a qualitative questionnaire of 30 questions with 3 options. This study validated that this format is effective as a learning model, enhancing educational competences and non-educational competences required in health professionals. Our results showed the good acceptance of this format. It is concluded that the journal club strategy enhances the educational and non-educational skills necessary for doctors and nurses to develop the competencies required in today's world.