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JBI Evidence Appraisal Network
The Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal Network is made up of health researchers and practitioners with an interest in the critical appraisal of evidence for health care practice. Members of the Network act as reviewers for submissions to the JBI RAP Library, co-ordinated through the leadership of the Joanna Briggs Institute. The Joanna Briggs Evidence Appraisal Network supports JBI through reviewing submissions to the RAP Library, and evaluating and developing critical appraisal methods used by JBI.
Teaching evidence-based practice and critical appraisal
Nursing, allied health and medical academics in universities and colleges, and staff development educators in health services, are increasingly required to integrate the concepts of evidence based practice and the skills of critical appraisal in teaching and in curriculum development. In all of the health professions the growth in knowledge and information has accelerated enormously. This has often created a culture that encourages teachers and facilitators to seek to transmit as much factual information as possible in the time available. Prescribed text lists tend to increase in length and curricula become more and more crowded. Given this current "knowledge explosion" teaching methods of accessing and evaluate evidence is of increasing importance.
More and more academics, educators and senior clinicians are now seeking to integrate the skills of critical thinking and of critically appraising evidence - the underlying principles of evidence-based practice. Integrating these skills across the curriculum in undergraduate and postgraduate education for health professionals - and in staff development programs for experienced clinicians - requires teachers confident in critical appraisal and systems to encourage students and clinicians to utilise critical appraisal whenever they access evidence to inform clinical decision making.
The Joanna Briggs Institute International Evidence Appraisal Network
The Joanna Briggs Institute international JBI Evidence Appraisal Network (EAN) is a coordinated body of academics, educators and clinicians from around the world who have completed the Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence Appraisal on-lone training program and who work together to:
- share experiences on teaching critical appraisal
- engage in dialogue and debate to develop new approaches to evidence appraisal; and
- support the Joanna Briggs Institute RAPid on-line critical appraisal program by peer reviewing student and clinician submissions to the on-line RAP Library.
RAPid and the RAP Library
The JBI Rapid Assessment Protocol internet database (RAPid ) is an on-line training resource designed to assist nursing, medical and allied health clinicians and students to critically appraise evidence using established data collection tools. RAPid also offers users opportunities to both publish the appraisals they conduct, in the form of a refereed report, in the RAP Library - and access to appraisal reports submitted to the RAP Library. Developed specifically for medicine, nursing and allied health, RAPid is designed to organise, conduct and archive an evidence summary of a single study of an intervention or professional activity or of specific findings of a completed systematic review. RAPid is designed to include processes to appraise and summarise evidence from a wide range of sources including the results of quantitative and qualitative studies, expert opinion published by respected bodies and reports that draw on consensus.
RAPid is designed to assist users to acquire the skills of posing relevant questions about the feasibility, appropriateness, meaningfulness or effectiveness of an intervention or professional activity and to pursue this question through applying the following basic steps of the comprehensive systematic review process:
- topic identification and rigorous question development
- searching for the evidence
- critically appraising the evidence
- summarising the evidence; and
- reporting the results of this process in an accessible format to maximise knowledge transfer to practice.
RAP Maker
RAP maker is the software component of RAPid where the type of paper (systematic review, or single study) is selected. Once the type of paper is chosen, RAPpas (the person making the RAP) are prompted to choose the type of study or review the selected paper represents, and are then expected to use the program to appraise the paper, critiquing the study type, its methods, findings and applicability. Each aspect of appraisal and data entry is conducted in real time in RAP maker. RAP maker facilitates study type recognition, data extraction and the construction of a final report, which may then be submitted on-line to the RAP library for independent critique, then uploading for worldwide access.
The RAP Library
The RAP library (an internet database) is a readily available resource, accessible by members of JBI 24 hours a day via the internet. The library promotes the transfer of knowledge, increases the pool of resources available to health care and is frequently updated with new RAP sheets. Each RAP sheet has a limited life span, and users can access sheets with a view to update, or create a new RAP to supplement existing resources. The benefits of the RAP library are that users can readily identify areas of practice not currently covered by the library. They can then either address gaps, conduct updates or contribute on a similar topic using a different study design. RAP sheets are only loaded in the library after undergoing external appraisal via the Institute.
The RAP library is fully indexed and has advanced search features, including, date, key words, subject headings, and by sentence string. Publication of a RAP in the library represents a refereed publication and thus, acceptance for publication may motivate clinicians to become active in the publication of their work and to experience the benefits of disseminating knowledge.
Critical Appraisal Reviewers
Critical Appraisal Reviewers are individual clinicians, teachers or academics who have completed the on-line JBI Critical Appraisal training program (RAPcap) (provided at no cost) and who accept responsibility for reviewing RAP Reports submitted to JBI through the RAPid program. Reviewers must complete the JBI on-line training module on RAP appraisal; and review RAP Reports sent to them by JBI. For further information contact Tiffany Conroy
(tiffany.conroy@adelaide.edu.au) or visit the RAPcap homepage by clicking here.
Becoming a JBI Critical Appraiser
To become an appraiser, click here and complete the application form for entry into the JBI On-line Evidence Appraisal Training Program. When you successfully complete this program, you will be invited to apply to become a JBI Critical Appraiser. For more information contact Tiffany Conroy (tiffany.conroy@adelaide.edu.au)
JBI Evidence Appraisal Network Meetings
The JBI Evidence Appraisal Network consists of Critical Appraisal Reviewers; the Executive Director; the Associate Director, Evidence Transfer and Utilisation; and relevant staff of The Joanna Briggs Institute. The JBI Evidence Appraisal Network meets every two years, alongside the Joanna Briggs Institute EBHC Congress. The meeting includes updates on evidence appraisal; appraisal methodology; free-paper presentations by appraisers; and a business meeting to discuss matters related to the governance and activities of the network.