As the Receiving Editor of the JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, it continually amazes me of the breadth, scope and quality of submissions we receive. Since this online journal began some 18 months ago we have published nearly 100 systematic reviews and nearly 200 systematic review protocols. Twelve months ago, the journal also began publishing Implementation Reports, articles that focus on a clinical topic of interest, in which research evidence is used to impact clinical practice through audit and feedback. This could not be achieved without the hard work of members of the Joanna Briggs Collaboration (JBC) as well as students and others affiliated with the Joanna Briggs Institute and the JBC. Both authors and peer reviewers for the journal clearly demonstrate a commitment to closing the knowledge gaps in health care.
The JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports is a truly international periodical, shown by the diversity of locations our authors (and peer reviewers) are from as well as the range of topics the journal houses. The other unique feature of the JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports is that its systematic reviews attempt to answer health care questions that look not only at evidence of effectiveness, but also at feasibility, appropriate and meaningfulness based on the JBI FAME Scale.1 It then goes a step further by endeavoring to close the gaps between evidence and practice through the conduct of implementation reports. This demonstrates a significant contribution to the evidence base in many areas of health care.
This is illustrated in this month's issue containing a mixture of quantitative and qualitative reviews on issues surrounding diabetes care, cardiac care, mental health, shared decision-making, neurology, pain management, open disclosure and allied health. These reviews come from Australia, Scotland, and North America. We also feature eight protocols, again a mixture of qualitative and quantitative questions that come from Finland, Australia, South America, North America, and the United Kingdom. Finally we have two implementation reports, both detailing the use of evidence in practice in the Shanghai Cancer Centre in China. The first focusing on nutrition in cancer patients and the second centered on chemotherapy management.
I hope you enjoy this issue of the JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports. As the journal continues to grow from strength to strength I invite you to become involved and spread the word to improve global heath.
Senior Research Fellow, The Joanna Briggs Institute
Section Editor, JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports
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