Our goal is to have all PEN content reviewed by dietetic practitioners who practice across different practice areas. We want to develop a network of volunteers that we can connect with when PEN knowledge pathways are updated. Read below to learn how you can lend your expertise to reviewing new and updated PEN content.
New and Updated PEN Content
Reviewer Resources
Reasons to Review for the PEN System
Frequently Asked Questions
New and Updated PEN Content
Knowledge Pathways
We are updating the following PEN Knowledge Pathways. We are interested in your input on developing and updating PEN Practice Questions that reflect everyday practice situations dietitians face working in these practice areas:
- Media Skills
- Transgender Nutrition
- Aboriginal/Indigenous Peoples - Food, Nutrition and Health
Contact the PEN Content Manager (coordinator@pennutrition.com) to learn how you can contribute.
Practice Questions and Backgrounds
Did you know that all PEN Practice Questions are peer-reviewed by experts in the field, just like journal articles? We collaborate with more than 400 PEN Reviewers globally to provide feedback to ensure the quality, access and clarity of PEN content to ensure it is helpful to practitioners. We welcome your expertise on the following topics:
- Diabetes/Glucose Intolerance
Toddler and Preschool Nutrition - Pediatric - Dyslipidemia
- Nephrology - Chronic Kidney Disease: Dialysis Adult
Contact the PEN Content Manager (coordinator@pennutrition.com) to learn how you can review PEN content.
PEN Client Handouts
PEN client handouts are reviewed by dietetic practitioners who practice within the handout’s related practice area within Canada. We are looking for practitioners with expertise in the following areas:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Gastrointestinal disease
- Surgery
- Oncology
- Endocrinology/medicine
- Pregnancy
- Pediatrics
- Child nutrition
- Gerontology
- Sport nutrition
Email the PEN Resource Coordinator (jane.bellman@dietitians.ca) to learn more about handout reviews related to your area of practice.
Reviewer Resources
Reviewers Guide to the PEN Content Management System - PCMS
This document provides reviewers with instructions on how to accept an assignment for review and submit their feedback using the PCMS System.
PEN® Reviewer Guidelines
This document provides an overview of the role of a PEN reviewer and a checklist to help complete a content review.
PEN® Client Handout Review
This document provides an overview of the role of a Handout reviewer and a checklist to help complete a handout review.
Reasons to become a Review for the PEN System
Becoming a PEN Reviewer is good for the PEN System and good for you, too!
As a reviewer, you contribute to advancing the nutrition knowledge base that promotes evidence-based nutrition practice. Reviewing PEN content allows you to provide feedback on the quality, accuracy and clarity of PEN content. This helps nutrition practitioners access timely, current and authoritative guidance on food and nutrition.
As a reviewer, you also become aware of the most up-to-date research and evidence-informed recommendations before the content is published on the PEN System. Acting as a reviewer positively reflects your knowledge of the field or critical appraisal skills. This means you are respected for your contributions to the content and the practice field. Your involvement can be used to support your professional portfolio, including continuing professional development. To learn more about how you can be recognized for your involvement, see how does the PEN System recognize my contribution as a reviewer?
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can review PEN Content?
The PEN System looks for individuals with expertise (academic and/or applied) on a wide range of topic areas related to nutrition practice. This may include:
- Researchers who are actively researching a topic area
- Practitioners with work experience in specific nutrition practice areas, settings and client populations
- Masters or doctorate students who are researching a topic area
- Dietetic learners (students)/interns/stagiaire working in the practice area*
* Dietetic learners (students)/interns/stagiaire can act as reviewers with support from a supervisor who oversees the review assignment and discusses the overall review recommendation.
We aim to support a comprehensive review process that includes academic and practice-based perspectives. We seek reviewers globally, predominantly from Australia, Canada and the UK.
-
How does reviewing for the PEN System help dietitians in practice?
Reviewing PEN content contributes to a growing evidence-based that translates knowledge for dietitians in practice. Your review provides essential feedback to the author regarding the relevance, currency and acceptability of the content in the PEN System. Your feedback ensures dietitians can continue to use the PEN System to support decision-making in everyday practice.
How does the PEN System recognize my contribution as a reviewer?
With your permission, you will be acknowledged for your role as a contributor once the content is published. Furthermore, you can download a letter of contribution signed by PEN's Director of Knowledge Translation acknowledging your contributions to the PEN System once the content has been published. Dietitians Australia, the British Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada also recognize the voluntary efforts of those who contribute to the PEN System.
How can I get involved in reviewing PEN Content?
There are three ways you can get involved in contributing to the PEN system:
- Provide input on scoping a PEN Knowledge Pathway: When developing new or updating existing PEN content, we look for input on the practice questions that make up a knowledge pathway. This means you’ll have an opportunity to review current questions for dietetic practice relevance while identifying any missing practice questions that should be considered.
- Review PEN Content: As a PEN Content Reviewer, your primary task is to determine the acceptability of PEN content based on the quality of evidence, accuracy of synthesis and relevance for practice. Reviewing PEN content asks for your input on everyday practice situations dietitians face. PEN Content review requests can be for Practice Questions (including relating tools/resources) as well as Backgrounds.
- PEN Client Handouts: As a PEN client handout reviewer, you would use your professional knowledge and clinical expertise to review and provide feedback on the recently updated PEN client handout. Based on your experience, you can help identify any missing or relevant information to clients. Lastly, you would provide general feedback on the flow of information, clarity, what doesn't work well and how it could be improved, including providing additional referencing.
More information about PEN terminology of features can be found
here.
How long do I have to complete the review assignment?
It depends. The timeline to complete a review assignment is dependent on the number of practice questions or tools/resources that require review. Typically, content review is expected within a 4-6 week time frame. The timeline is outlined in the review assignment invitation.
Reviewing client handouts takes approximately 1 to 3 hours depending on the complexity of the information.Typically, we seek a 2 week response time frame.
How many people review the same practice question?
We look for 2-3 reviewers for each assignment, mostly from Canada, the UK and Australia. This helps support a comprehensive review that includes academic and practice-based perspectives.
If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to us. Current review opportunities are updated regularly on the PEN website and featured in PEN eNews.