Clinical Journal club material
| Material type | Examples | Comment |
| Original clinical research | Meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials, observational studies | Articles higher on "Evidence Pyramid", from high impact journals and recent (eg, <1 year) have higher likelihood of changing practice. Promote understanding of evidence hierarchy and critical appraisal curriculum. Discuss ‘lower impact’ similar study designs to compare.* |
| Case reports/series, N-of-1 trials, qualitative research | May also demonstrate important, new or emerging clinically useful concepts (despite ‘lower’ position on "Evidence Pyramid"). | |
| Basic or translational scientific research | Articles with upcoming potential to influence clinical care | Keep clinician informed of scientific advances. May be more relevant in academic/research active departments. For example, "Testable antiarrhythmic therapy for long-QT syndrome…using a patient-specific cellular model. Eur Heart J 2018;39(16)". |
| Topic updates or overview of relevant clinical concept (combine with evidence appraisal) | Evidence-based guidelines (peer reviewed) | Overview of predefined clinical condition; could provide consensus recommendations. Benefit all members of JC/other MDT members. |
| Narrative reviews (peer reviewed) | A state of the art review may identify gaps in literature, ideas (opinion-based guidance) for practice and research. | |
| Conference summary | Attendees of a conference present overview of ‘what’s new’/emerging, hot topics; generating discussion for practice and research. | |
| Online ‘informal’ material | Forums, blogs, social media platforms, websites | Compare practices or research design. Raise awareness or discuss controversy for example, evidence base or lack of, for certain practices. |
Decide on focus of your JC. What material will suit learners? Consider other material periodically. Consider involving interdisciplinary professionals.
*Consider a curriculum-based approach, as well as discussion of less well-designed studies, in order to highlight common possible pitfalls when interpreting data or conducting different types of research studies.
JC, journal club; MDT, multidisciplinary team members.