12 tips for conducting a medical education journal club
TRANSCRIPT
12 tips for conducting a Medical Education
Journal Club
Anahita Sadeghi, M.D.Assistant Professor of Medicine
Shariati Hospital, TUMS
Journal clubs are educational meetings in which individuals meet on a regular basis to critically evaluate recent articles in the scientific literature (Kleinpell 2002).
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Traditionally journal clubs served as a means of keeping abreast of the medical literature (Linzer 1987) but recently the emphasis has moved to teaching critical appraisal skills (Green 1999).
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Despite the widespread popularity of journal clubs involving most health care disciplines, there is a surprising dearth of clubs related to the science of medical education.
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
A comprehensive literature review revealed only two short reports on medical education journal clubs:One of which was dedicated to continuing education (Centeno et al. 1999). The other is part of a faculty development program for primary care physicians. Its purpose is to select articles for critical review at a subsequent session (Simpson et al. 1997).
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Over the last five years at the McGill University Centre for Medical Education they have regularly conducted journal clubs dedicated to the review of articles dealing with medical education.
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
They are aware of the existence of similar journal clubs at 9 other medical schools in Canada. They conducted a brief survey related to the experiences with journal clubs at those medical schools and interviewed the members of their Centre to gather ideas on how to assure the success of journal clubs.
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Combining the results from these two information sources* allowed them to develop an approach to assuring success in medical education journal clubs. Survey of journal club directors at the nine Canadian medical schools known to conduct
education journal clubs and interviews with all members of the McGill University Centre
for Medical Education.
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Shall we start?
Consider how a medical education journal club (MEJC) might be of value to your community
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Tip 1
Directors of medical education journal clubs in Canadian medical schools are enthusiastic about such journal clubs as valuable learning opportunities for both beginning and experienced educators. They also appreciate the opportunity for collegial social interaction and introducing colleagues to the world of medical education.
Tip 1
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Outline the goals of your MEJC
Tip 2
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Local culture and expertise will influence the choice of goals for a MEJC but a group discussion of this issue will be helpful.
Tip 2
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Medical education journal clubs can help to:
(1) Keep abreast of the health sciences education literature(2) Foster education research (3) Stimulate debate (4) Learn about new and interesting teaching tools and web sites (5) Teach critical appraisal skills(6) Teach new educators about important research skills
Tip 2
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Make a decision about the frequency of MEJCs and plan for regular meetings…
Tip 3
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
This brief survey indicated that monthly meetings, each an hour in duration, is the ideal, but this may be impractical in your setting. They recommend that meetings be held at least four times during each academic year. Predictability of scheduling is also crucial to assure good attendance.
Tip 3
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Recruit a broadly balanced representation of participants
Tip 4
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
In their setting, medical education researchers, basic science and clinical teachers, education scholars and fellows participate in the MEJCs.
They find that this mix allows for expression of a breadth of perspectives and enriches discussions.We also encourage the active involvement of students and postgraduate trainees who are doing medical education electives. They are convinced that the broader the representation, the morevigorous will be the debate.
Tip 4
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Vary the leadership of your MEJC
Tip 5
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Ordinarily MEJCs should be directed by an experienced, critical participant with an education background, though every regular participant should have the opportunity to lead a session. Preparation for the meeting and critical analysis of the article may be a challenge for some junior members but in general the preparation is an invaluable learning experience for all.
Tip 5
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
It is suggested that a senior educator assist the junior member in selection of the article and in preparation for the session.
Tip 5
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Articulate the criteria for selection of an article (or articles) for discussion
Tip 6
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Among the criteria to be considered are:
• Topical nature of the content; • Appeal and novelty of the research;• Linkage of the article to your group’s interests and expertise.
Other less influential criteria include the likelihood that the article will becontroversial and the credibility and reputation of the authors.
Tip 6
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Develop guidelines for conduct of the discussion
Tip 7
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Diverse approaches are used depending on the local culture. In that Centre they feel that a single discussion leader should guide the process and assure that all participants are involved. The leader should ordinarily encourage discussion that proceeds in an orderly manner from introduction to conclusions.
Tip 7
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Another approach is to have the MEJC leader begin with a brief summary of the article and then offer additional insights and /or references. Organizers should set a standard for politeness while encouraging interruptions, debate and collegial criticism.
Tip 7
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Consider the ideal number of participants
Tip 8
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Successful discussion and debate with a variety of viewpoints mandate no fewer than 5, and no more than 15, participants.Organizers can make allowances for larger numbers but the additional participants should probably assume observer status.
Tip 8
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Decide in advance how many articles will be circulated fordiscussion at each individual MEJC
Tip 9
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
If the target for an individual meeting is critical appraisal, one article is appropriate. All participants will benefit from a focus on expert critical appraisal, especially when it targets the methods section of a research article.
Tip 9
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
The agenda of a MEJC may include two or more articles if the goal of the meeting is to survey a broad area of medical education. In that circumstance critical appraisal usually takes a back seat.
Tip 9
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Disseminate the results of journal club meetings
Tip 10
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
The authors and reviewers of a publication exercise significant oversight of all aspects of their publication but a successfuljournal club whose members are adept at critical appraisal will usually provide valuable, unique and disinterested scrutiny of a publication.
Tip 10
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
The broad medical education community can benefit from the insights developed in a MEJC discussion.There is no perfect forum for dissemination of the insights but there are a few vehicles to consider.
Tip 10
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
The journal ‘Medical Teacher’ has been known to publish a reader’s critique of a paper (D’Eon 2004). The Canadian Association for Medical Education has developed a forum called ‘‘MEDCAPs’’ for dissemination of the results of critical assessment of a publication (www.came-acem.ca).
Local dissemination can be achieved by publication on a departmental website.
They even wonder if it is time to develop an education journal dedicated to publishing summaries of journal clubs.
Tip 10
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Remember the ‘‘wrap up’’ component of your MEJC
Tip 11
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
As in all educational endeavors, it is useful to summarize the critical points discussed at the meeting and to articulate the strengths and weaknesses of the article featured.
Conclude each journal club with a brief outline of plans for the next meeting.
Tip 11
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Evaluate the MEJC program in an ongoing manner
Tip 12
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
To ensure that the MEJC meets the needs of the participants, it is important to solicit ongoing feedback from all of the Participants throughout the academic year.
Senior members of the group should also conduct an annual summative program evaluation and plan modifications for the medical education journal clubs in the coming year.
Tip 12
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Medical education journal clubs offer a unique way of assessing the literature in a collegial and supportive manner that allows participants to keep current in the field while learning and applying critical appraisal skills.
Lessons learned often have application in the research field of participants.
12 tips Twelve tips for conducting a medical education journal club
Conclusion