The journal club: a modern model for better service and training

Abstract

In addition to enabling members to keep abreast of the current medical literature, a journal club is an important forum for teaching research methodology, clinical epidemiology and statistics, as well as providing opportunities for training in clinical decision making and gaining critical appraisal skills. It can be used to facilitate an evidence based approach to problem solving, as a tool for informing guideline development and to enable an exchange of insights regarding clinical problems. It also provides an opportunity for social interaction. In this paper we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different types of journal clubs. We conclude that they are an important part of continuing medical education and that they can form the basis for positive advances in clinical practice.Keywords continuing medical education / critical appraisal / evidence based medicine / journal club / problem solving Please cite this article as: Afifi Y, Davis J, Khan K, Gee H, Publicover M. The journal club: a modern model for better service and training.

The journal club and its practices

“…By stimulating debate and open discussion on basics of statistics, clinical epidemiology and decision making; the program has been turned out to be a universal one, not only in CPD and higher education but also in under graduate education and training. 1,9,[12][13][14][15][16][17] …”

“…17 Adult learning principles can be best exercised in journal club. This program can contribute to the development of a continual study habit among the participants.…”

A guide to the ATSM in Medical Education. Article 4: quality assurance and research in medical education

“…If possible, the ATSM trainee should be involved in a medical education research project that is achievable in the duration of the ATSM. If this is not possible, the trainer should ask the trainee to review a medical education question through a search and critical appraisal of the literature 17 . In this way, the trainee will learn where and how to access and critically appraise medical educational literature, which is an essential skill if they are to get involved in the review of educational programmes as part of their future careers.…”

“…If this is not possible, the trainer should ask the trainee to review a medical education question through a search and critical appraisal of the literature. 17 In this way, the trainee will learn where and how to access and critically appraise medical educational literature, which is an essential skill if they are to get involved in the review of educational programmes as part of their future careers. The educational prescription shown in article 3 of this series could be used for such an exercise.…”

#BlueJC:BJOG and Katherine Twining Network collaborate to facilitate post‐publication peer review and enhance research literacy via a Twitter journal club

“…BJOG believes strongly in post‐publication peer review and we have a strong track record of promoting evidence‐based medicine. In contrast to the format used in the past, journal clubs based on clinical scenarios, structured questions and focused on learning needs have practice changing potential . They support development of research literacy, prepare trainees for their assessments and provide continuing education to journal club members .…”