About OJCI

A Note from the Managing Editor

We all know that necessity is the mother of invention. As such, the Online Journal of Clinical Innovations was born of a need reported by individuals in the clinical setting time and time again in searching the CINAHL^® database. These individuals needed more than just bibliographic information – they needed information to help with clinical problems occurring right now. It was their need for research information, anecdotal information, ideas, and suggestions that spawned this project and led to the Journal's publication. For many years, Cinahl Information Systems has encouraged research-based practice through information literacy and literature searching, and this Journal is the logical next step.

Why is the Online Journal of Clinical Innovations unique? The topics covered are clinically relevant and each article, with the exception of the knowledge utilization paper and the editorials, is accompanied by a summary. This summary is the key link to the CINAHL bibliographic database as it is indexed and is searchable as any other article would be. Never before has the published literature complemented the bibliographic database so well. The summary provides users of the CINAHL database genuinely useful information on the spot. Generally three to four pages in length plus a full list of references from the complete article, the summaries contain information designed to stimulate thought and problem solving in the clinical setting. Readers can use the information as a starting point in developing their own programs and interventions, adapted to their own clinical situation.

To take their search for knowledge a step further, individuals can obtain the full articles from Cinahl's website (http://www.cinahl.com) by choosing the CINAHLexpress^sm Document Delivery Online Service.  Full articles can also be obtained by calling 800-959-7167 (US only); 818-409-8005; fax 818-546-5633; or e-mail docorder@cinahl.com.  Annual subscriptions to the Journal are also available.

The Editorial Board of the Online Journal of Clinical Innovations was selected based on both academic and clinical expertise. All members are committed to the goal of research and knowledge utilization, the fundamental reason for the existence of this Journal. Following review by the Editorial Board, each paper is critically read by several individuals who are experts on the particular topic discussed and their recommendations are integrated into the final version of the manuscript. The final paper thus benefits significantly from the thoughtful review of a cadre of scholars. Be sure to note the reviewers acknowledged at the end of each document.

Gradually, the Journal will become more interactive. Our goal is to encourage communication about each of the topics presented so that readers will see interventions used or suggested by other readers and be able to comment on them.

The first documents appeared in mid-1998 and address utilization of knowledge in practice and the readability of patient education materials. Future articles will concern topics such as pain assessment and documentation, fall prevention, patient education, and other issues which continue to be of concern to nurses throughout the world, regardless of practice setting.

The Online Journal of Clinical Innovations invites queries from prospective authors interested in contributing manuscripts to the Journal. The Editors and the Editorial/Advisory Board envision engaging scholarly subject matter experts in the development of future knowledge synthesis manuscripts, gradually enlarging the circle of contributors and content. Because the synthesis process and format for Journal manuscripts reflects the unique strategic purpose of the Journal and the refined specifications of the Editors and Editorial/Advisory Board, prospective authors are expected to develop their knowledge synthesis manuscripts in consultation with the Editors to ensure the integrity of the synthesis process and presentation format between contributors. Journal manuscript format and presentation specifications are intended to provide readers with evidence of the logic, rigor, and integrity of the underlying evaluation of key recommendations for practice emerging from the synthesis of the knowledge base.

The best overview of the Journal’s knowledge synthesis perspective for prospective authors is contained in the paper "Expediting the Harvest and Transfer of Knowledge for Practice in Nursing: Catalyst for a Journal." Prospective authors should also note that currently available manuscripts model the Journal’s format specifications. Because readers may vary widely in their research insight and expertise, the Journal strives to balance the language of scholars with a fundamental clarity that is highly prized by clinicians in search of solutions to pressing clinical challenges.

Of particular interest to the Editors and Editorial Board are policies, procedures, and protocols which would assist in transferring any of the key implications for practice into practice.  We would be most willing to consider reviewing these for publication.

The Online Journal of Clinical Innovations is published by Cinahl Information Systems, 1509 Wilson Terrace, Glendale, California 91206. It contains systematic reviews of the literature concerning problems of clinical interest.

The Journal is indexed in the CUMULATIVE INDEX TO NURSING & ALLIED HEALTH LITERATURE^® print index/CINAHL^® database.