Implementation of a Clinical Journal Club to Improve Student Knowledge

Evidence-based medicine is a crucial component of pharmacy practice that is utilized to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. It is a concept that ensures clinical guidelines are constantly analyzed for quality improvement with therapeutic practices enhanced for the highest standards for patient care. At the heart of incorporating evidence-based medicine is literature review and analysis, a practice conducted not only by healthcare professionals but also students in healthcare programs. The implementation of literature review into these healthcare programs better prepares students to critically evaluate and review medical literature with the ultimate purpose to improve patient care in their respective fields. It is important to ensure students are properly educated on the topic of evidence-based medicine with drug literature evaluation in addition to strategies to analyze literature in such a way that improves clinical knowledge at the same time to benefit their patients as practitioners. The project designed and evaluated the use of therapeutic literature to enhance clinical practice directives while improving drug literature evaluation skills. Analysis of pre and post quiz results indicated a significant improvement in clinical cardiology knowledge with the implementation of a therapeutic journal club