Stratergies to engage readers in scholarly dissemination and dialogue

Background: In an age of information overload and competing demands, engaging readers in discussions about ground-breaking research and health care developments affecting the profession and the public can be a difficult process. Aim: This presentation will illustrate strategies used by one journal to involve its readers in scholarly discussions. Methods: The Journal of Advanced Nursing (JAN) connects with readers using social media, research networks, and the journal pages. Readers can receive the table of contents automatically and the journal’s app makes articles available on mobile devices. The editorial team examines trends in nursing and health care, identifying topics likely to provoke discussion. Editors “champion” these topics by seeking scholars to write papers or commentaries or to contribute to the journal’s blog. We also encourage authors to engage readers by making videos and writing blog posts for JAN interactive. Results: In 2013, JAN’s website was visited by 4.3 million people. Downloaded articles are enhanced by Wiley’s innovative software. JAN currently has >8,000 followers on Twitter and >500 connections on LinkedIn. JAN Interactive has grown from 13 editor-authored blog entries in 2013, to > 40 in 2014. JAN’s Virtual Issues make many papers on key topics available to readers free of charge and at no cost to the authors. Conclusion: There has been an increase in the number of readers contributing to JAN’s scholarly dialogue. To remain relevant in our ever-changing and highly connected world, editors and publishers need to consistently seek opportunities to engage its constituencies in scholarly dialogue.