Nursing Student Journal Club Fidelity

Abstract

Background: Measuring journal club fidelity (JCF) is essential in interpreting the impact of this intervention on targeted outcomes. To our knowledge, there are no studies that demonstrate how JCF can be measured and linked to educational outcomes. Furthermore, there is no standard JCF measure, nor are there any studies on implementing such a measure.

Purpose: To describe the design of, and implementation process for, JCF evaluation rubrics.

Method: A descriptive study of the steps involved in measuring JCF, stemming from a quasi-experimental study and relying on the self-assessment rubrics completed by nursing students (n = 48) during the fourth and seventh sessions, the evaluation rubrics filled in by two observers during the second, third, sixth, and seventh sessions, and the video used during the third and seventh sessions. The study also included a comparison group (n = 50).

Results: The structure of the journal club (JC) was adhered to. Given the context, however, some criteria related to the JC process were not fully consistent with pre-established standards: the submission of research papers, the vicarious experience, regular verbal feedback, circumstances conducive to stress management, empowerment strategies, and active participation by students.

Conclusion: The results support the importance of making JCF criteria explicit, evaluating these criteria and using them to interpret the results, and identifying potential moderating factors.