Do community medicine residency trainees learn through journal club? An experience from a developing country.
BACKGROUND
Journal clubs are an internationally recognized teaching tool in many postgraduate medical education fields. In developing countries lack of funds for current print materials may have limited journal club use. But with advancing information technology trainees in developing countries increasingly have more access to high quality journals online. However, we are aware of no studies describing journal club existence and effectiveness in postgraduate medical training in Pakistan. Also we have found no published effectiveness studies of this teaching modality in Community Medicine (Public Health) in any country. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Community Medicine (Public Health) Resident Journal Club (CMR-JC) in Aga Khan University, Pakistan using international criteria for successful journal clubs (2 years continuous existence and more than 50% attendance) and examining resident and alumni satisfaction.


METHODS
Journal club effectiveness criteria were searched using electronic search databases. Departmental records were reviewed from September 1999-September 2005. Ninety percent of residents and alumni of Community Medicine Residency Programme participated voluntarily in a confidential survey.


RESULTS
The CMR-JC was regularly conducted. More than 95% of residents attended. (Total residents in the CMR-Programme: 32). Twenty-seven out of 29 current residents/alumni responded to the anonymous questionnaire. Acquisition of critical appraisal skills (23 respondents) and keeping up with current literature (18 respondents) were the two most important objectives achieved. Respondents recommended improved faculty participation and incorporating a structured checklist for article review.


CONCLUSIONS
CMR-JC fulfils criteria for effective journal clubs. Residents and alumni agree CMR-JC meets its objectives. Incorporating suggested recommendations will further improve standards. The journal club learning modality should be included in residency training programs in developing countries. Effective use of online resources to support journal clubs is demonstrated as a successful alternative to excessive expenditure for obtaining print journals. Those trying to start or improve journal clubs can benefit from our experience.
Akhund
Saima
S
Human Development Programme, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. saima.akhund@aku.edu
Kadir
Muhammad Masood
MM
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003154:Community Medicine / Q000193:education*; D016206:Databases, Bibliographic; D003906:Developing Countries; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D007858:Learning; D010154:Pakistan; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011932:Reading