Objective Evidence-based medicine requires pharmacists to critically read research papers. Journal clubs provide opportunities to develop these skills. This study compared learning outcomes between a face-to-face journal club and an online e-learning course. In evidence-based medicine, pharmacists are required to constantly read the latest clinical research papers critically and apply the knowledge gained to appropriate drug therapy. Journal clubs provide an opportunity to develop these skills. This study compared the learning outcomes of a face-to-face journal club and an online journal club using e-learning.

Method A face-to-face journal club was held monthly from January to July 2019, while an e-learning course with audiovisual materials on critical appraisal was delivered from September to December 2020. Participants in both courses completed a pre- and post-course exam (5 questions) assessing critical appraisal skills and a questionnaire (five 7-level Likert items) evaluating attitudes toward critical reading.

Results Both methods produced similar knowledge gains. However, the face-to-face journal club was more effective in improving attitudes toward critical appraisal, with all survey scores significantly increasing. In contrast, the e-learning group showed significant improvement in only two areas.

Conclusions While both approaches enhanced knowledge, the face-to-face journal club led to greater improvement in awareness toward critical appraisal, suggesting e-learning may be less effective in this regard.

I have read the journal's policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: This work was financially supported by the Japanese Society of Drug Informatics Research Foundation in Japan. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

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Ohu University ethics review board Approval number: 294

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