Development of a Midwifery and Nursing Journal Club at the Rotunda Hospital Dublin

Introduction The Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, is the oldest maternity hospital in Europe providing care to the women of Dublin and their newborn babies. The Rotunda provides care with the skills of a dedicated Obstetric and... [ view full abstract ]

Introduction
The Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, is the oldest maternity hospital in Europe providing care to the women of Dublin and their newborn babies.
The Rotunda provides care with the skills of a dedicated Obstetric and Midwifery team. To ensure that clinicians and midwives practice evidence based practice attendance at training and journal clubs became essential to daily practice.
AIM
A search of the literature suggests that there is a significant gap between knowledge available about effective clinical practice and what is applied ( Seymour, Kinn & Sutherland, 2003). Journal Clubs are a particularly good method of exposing practitioners to current literature ( McMahon, 1997). Recognising this need, the Midwifery Practice Development Department and the Library and Information Service discussed the setting up of a Midwifery Journal Club which would act as a forum for midwives and nurses to meet and critically evaluate midwifery and nursing literature. Terms of Reference were written up for the administration and development of the club and its meetings. The goal of the group is to keep abreast of current literature, to review articles and research that impact on clinical practice. Bi-monthly meetings delivering structured presentations to an audience of midwives and nurses.
Discussion
The inaugural Meeting of the Club was held on September 9th, 2010. First topic included “ Role of Obesity in Pregnancy” followed by a discussion of the complex topic “ Fetal Alcohol Syndrome” .
Throughout the years staff utilised opportunities to present at conference and seminars and were invited to share this experience at the Journal Club.. Despite increasing work commitments staff attendance at a range of presentations, has ensured continuity in information disseminated to date. This poster discusses the challenges and benefits in administering and presenting to this Journal Club.