Journal Club Engagement and Its Impact on Capstone Performance: A Study in a Health and Bioinformatics Master's Program.

Introduction: In the evolving field of health informatics, the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) highlights the need for professionals skilled in current research. Journal clubs bridge academic learning with practical application, addressing challenges like limited literature review time and fostering critical analysis. Aim: This study evaluates the impact of an interdisciplinary journal club on 33 Master's students in Health and Bioinformatics program at Grand Valley State University. Thirteen students participated, analyzing contemporary literature and applying findings to real-world problems. Results: Significant improvements were observed in key capstone assessments among journal club participants: Capstone Overall Percentage (mean difference 15.23 points, p < 0.05), Project Proposal (mean difference 13.62 points, p < 0.05), and Research Topic Presentations (mean difference 27.30 points, p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings support integrating journal clubs into curricula to enhance evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and practical application of knowledge, aligning with AMIA's vision of continuous professional development.