Dalhousie University Centre Celebrates Five Years
This month, we celebrate the five-year anniversary of the Aligning Health Needs and Evidence for Transformative Change (AH-NET-C): A JBI Centre of Excellence at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada. We sat down (virtually!) with Dr Marilyn Macdonald (director) to learn more about AH-NET-C.
Q: Happy 5th anniversary! What motivated you to join JBI and create a JBI Collaborating Entity?
In 2012–13, I completed a CIHR-funded systematic review following Arksey and O’Malley (2005) methods to identify safety markers in home care. I learned about the JBIC through this partnership and the comprehensive nature of JBI methodology and methods. I believed that Comprehensive Systematic Review Training (CSRT) would contribute to furthering the advancement of evidence-informed care, enhance the research and teaching scholarship of faculty, and provide scholarly research training opportunities for our students.
Our School of Nursing (SoN) director (Dr Kathleen MacMillan) at Dalhousie University supported five faculty members to complete Comprehensive Systematic Review Training in July of 2013 at Queens University. Following our training, the SoN director offered us the opportunity to form an Affiliate Group in the SoN at Dalhousie and asked me to serve as the inaugural director. I accepted this offer and applied to JBI for affiliate status, and subsequently for centre status.
Q: How did your interest in evidence-based health care start?
A: Throughout my career as a nurse, I always consulted the literature in relation to clinical questions; however, the systematic review of literature remained challenging until the establishment of Cochrane Reviews and subsequently JBI in 1994 and 1996, respectively.
Q: After five years, what still motivates you?
A: The scholarship of research that trainees acquire, the endless number of novel research questions, opportunities afforded for peer review by JBI, editor opportunities, participation in World Evidence-Based Healthcare Day, and the JBI gLocal Solution Room.
JBIC committees are another valuable opportunity to further understand and advance methodology. Our centre, Aligning Health Needs with Evidence for Transformative Change has delivered Comprehensive Systematic Review Training for three consecutive years beginning in May of 2018. We have educated in excess of 60 learners across the country, and across health disciplines, science, library science and engineering.
In our centre, a cluster of faculty, students and partners has met on Thursdays at noon since 2014. Initially there would be two to three people in attendance. Today the group size on average is four to five times that number. Training the next generation of systematic reviewers gives a tremendous sense of satisfaction and motivation.
Q: What are the stand-out lessons you have learnt in your time with JBI?
A: The importance of taking the time necessary for the development of the review question and associated protocol. Identification of a strategy to support newly trained systematic reviewers, and to maintain momentum in the projects of seasoned reviewers. Learning from one another as we conduct our respective reviews.
Q: What has your Centre achieved that you are most proud of?
A: We have a cluster of JBI-trained faculty, students and clinical partners who meet weekly to support one another in all aspects of review work. The level of participation, learning, discussion and debate is very motivating and rewarding. We welcome students to volunteer on our reviews, and many go on to complete JBI Comprehensive Systematic Review Training.
Q: What would be the one piece of advice you would give to someone thinking of joining the JBI Collaborative?
A critical mass of at least three, preferably five, individuals receive the initial training together, and that they come with a topic of high interest. Make a plan for how to maintain momentum after training.
Q: Can you share one of your fondest memories of the JBIC?
A: The acceptance and publication of that first review. Although our group was small at the start of this first review, this success motivated us to continue. Our Thursday noon collaboration gave us the momentum and support necessary to complete the first review, and is instrumental to our continued learning and productivity.
Q: Can you share something about your Centre that other entities may not know?
A: [Staff member] Dr Janet Curran is a co-PI with Dr Andrea Tricco on the SPOR Evidence Alliance, and is our Centre’s first CSRT trainer. Dr Curran is a co-PI on the McMaster Health Forum leading the COVID-19 Evidence Network to support decision-makers, funded directly by the government of Canada. [Staff member] Dr Lori Weeks recently became a certified trainer.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share?
A: Although JBI is a worldwide organisation, whenever our Centre needs anything JBI related, you are there for us. This is an important motivator, as is this initiative to recognise JBI entities. We feel like we are part of a global community.
Thank you, Dr Macdonald, for taking the time to share your JBI journey so far with us. We congratulate you and the Centre on this milestone and look forward to collaborating with you in the future.