Have you been a part of a journal club? This type of event gathers therapists on a regular basis (typically, once a month) for open discussion about a journal article or set of articles. It provides an opportunity for knowledge gain, respectful debate and continuing education. Indeed, it's one of the more popular types of CRCE events held by acute care facilities.
I love the idea of a journal club but it can be labor intensive for the organizer. The organizer is typically the manager or department educator and they are in charge of applying for CRCE approval, selecting the articles, holding the meeting, getting attendance rosters together, and reporting the attendance logs. In addition to their job-associated function, this can become a little difficult to accomplish. I've been asked several times if there is a better way to do it. Until yesterday, I was stumped.
So...what happened yesterday, you ask? I attended the IaSRC meeting (fabulous meeting, by the way) and talked with a great number of therapists. One hospital educator told me that she holds a journal club every month but doesn't have to do a lot of work and it's free. WHAT? FREE?? How does she accomplish this??
She uses the RESPIRATORY CARE Journal "CRCE through the Journal" feature every month!
Because the participating therapists are AARC members, they have access to the Journal either through a paper copy or electronic copy. Before the event, the therapists read the journal and then they come together to discuss the papers that have the CRCE logo at the end. When they're finished, they register (for free, because they're AARC members) for the free CRCE event on the RESPIRATORY CARE Journal webpage, complete the test and earn a free CRCE.
Brilliant.
The benefits of this are amazing: foster knowledge acquisition, foster respectful discussion, help your department therapists earn CRCE, use an already approved CRCE event, don't mess with attendance logs or certificates...what's not to love?
I'm so thankful that I attended the IaSRC meeting and learned of this best practice. Think about doing this in your department-it might be a great fit!