A pilot investigation of a Pediatric Surgery Journal Club.
BACKGROUND
The CanMEDS competency "scholar" encompasses the creation, dissemination, application, and translation of medical knowledge. We hypothesize that a structured journal club (JC) for pediatric surgical trainees would meet these objectives in an enjoyable and long-lasting manner.


METHODS
A JC involving two pediatric surgery training programs was created with each session focusing on a specific study design. Pre-tests/post-tests were administered before/after each session with durability of learning assessed during the following session. Metrics analyzed included participant satisfaction and an appraisal of evidence-based medicine (EBM) principals. Test results were analyzed using the paired T-test with p<0.05 considered significant.


RESULTS
On average, 14 participants attended each session, with all trainees present (4). While participants believed they understood EBM principles, 40% were unfamiliar with question formulation, 48% were unfamiliar with critical appraisal tools, and 60% had not appraised an article within the previous year. Pre-test to post-test comparison yielded an improvement in mean score (20=perfect score): 10.8 to 16.9, p<0.01. Measures of participant satisfaction were uniformly positive.


CONCLUSIONS
A structured Pediatric Surgery Journal Club addresses scholarly training objectives in a highly satisfactory manner and yields durable learning. A web-based curriculum based on this model could serve as an important educational tool for trainees and attending staff alike.
McGill University, Montreal Quebec, Canada.
William Shihao
WS
Lao
Department of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, The Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Montreal Quebec Canada.
Pramod
P
Puligandla
Department of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, The Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Montreal Quebec Canada. Electronic address: robert.baird@mail.mcgill.ca.
Robert
R
Baird
D003479:Curriculum; D003657:Decision Making; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013043:Specialties, Surgical / Q000193:education*
Evidence based medicine; Journal club; Surgical journal club