Establishing and sustaining an effective journal club

Fostering the development of research literacy and exposure to current issues in radiography: Experience of a co-designed journal club

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND

Journal clubs are an effective learning activity that can fulfill the continuing professional development requirements for diagnostic radiographers. For students, journal clubs can support the development of critical appraisal skills and identify opportunities to implement evidence-based practice. This educational perspective aims to describe a co-designed journal club program, which was integrated into a 9-week part-time work integrated learning on-campus placement program for diagnostic radiography students.

METHODS

The framework for the journal club program was co-designed by students and academics. The benefits and limitations of the program were analysed and discussed in relation to the collaborative aspect of the task, the nature of the program and the focus on continuing professional development.

DISCUSSION

Journal club activities provided ample opportunities for students to engage with current issues in radiography. The flexibility and practicality of the program contributed to student engagement, but were also considered a challenge to wide participation in the weekly journal club discussion. A co-designed journal club activity can facilitate reflective practice, independent learning and critical thinking. Whilst the significance of the journal club was not extensively assessed in its first implementation, it has the potential to improve student research literacy skills and critical appraisal.

CONCLUSION

A perceived benefit of the journal club activity was the collaboration within groups who were tasked to present each week. Evaluation of the level of engagement with the program as well as its ability to improve critical analytical skills and data interpretation in the future is essential.

The Radiology Journal Club: An Update on Best Practices and Lessons Learned From Other Specialties

The discussion and critical appraisal of medical literature in a group setting has been incorporated in health care education for over a century and remains one of the structured didactic activities in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education radiology residency educational requirements. The panel members of the "Radiology Journal Club: Best Practice from Across the Country" Task Force of the Association of University Radiologists Radiology Research Alliance have collated best practices from radiology and other medical specialties to help radiology departments to establish or resume journal club as part of their residency or fellowship educational program. Key components include a leadership team to designate mentors, facilitators, and ad hoc content experts; to establish the scope, goals and learning objectives; to identify the target audience and level of faculty and trainee involvement; and establish appropriate meeting frequency. Providing relevant and easily accessible resources, mentoring and other preparatory materials can build trainee skill in critical appraisal of the medical literature, foster innovation, and advance radiological knowledge in this ever-evolving discipline.

Innovation in Learning: Critical Review of the Literature Is Absolutely Necessary for the Modern Medical Student

The concept of a journal club has been around for decades and is a useful tool to help teach residents about evidence-based medicine. Although some students may be exposed to the concept during their third or fourth year of medical school, many do not have exposure to this until their residency. This innovation report describes a program to help introduce first and second-year medical students to a team-based approach to journal clubs so that they can apply principles of evidence-based practice early on in their medical school training. In the Fall of 2020, a faculty and student effort led by members of the internal medicine and family medicine interest groups met to form a team-based program approach to the journal club focusing on first and second-year students. Teams of students were formed, and they were allowed to pick an article to review. They presented their findings to a group of students and faculty members via online meetings (due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions). This program has been introduced and done for two academic years. During that time, over 50 students participated in the program along with six faculty members. Countless students and faculty have been an audience to the presentations that have been done. The program is entering its third year of providing an engaging avenue for students to gain experience in analyzing articles and making presentations. The journal club program has and continues to be praised by faculty and students for its unique approach and style to a decade-old tradition. We recommend that medical schools and other health-science programs across the country consider introducing a program like this to help stimulate critical discussions in an era of increasingly published medical literature. It is critical that students be given a chance to apply evidence-based practices early on in their medical education careers.