Getting the most from journal reading
Reading and staying up-to-date with the latest research is an important part of continuing professional development (CPD) for healthcare professionals. By keeping up with the latest findings in their field, clinicians can improve their knowledge and skills, ultimately providing better care for their patients. In this article, we'll explore the best ways for junior doctors in Australia to stay informed about new research and get the most from their journal reading.
Staying aware of the latest papers
The first step to staying up-to-date with the latest research is being aware of when new articles are published. One way to do this is by following major medical journals on social media. Many journals have active Twitter accounts where they share links to new articles and other updates.
Also, following hashtags such as #medtwitter and #FOAMed can help you be aware of recently published papers.
Social media is a rich source of information when it comes to staying up to date with the latest literature
Additionally, most journals offer email notifications when a new issue is published. Signing up for these alerts can be a great way to stay informed about new research in your field.
Finally, most hospitals have informal communication channels such as Facebook groups, or more organised sessions such as Journal Clubs that you can tap into.
Assessing quality
There is no point wasting your time on papers that are not important. Once you have identified a new article, it's essential to assess whether it is valuable to your practice.
One way to do this is by looking for randomised controlled trials (RCTs), which are widely regarded as the most reliable and trustworthy source of information. RCTs minimise the risk of confounding factors and biases in the groups being studied, making their results more meaningful and generalisable.
When assessing an RCT, look for studies that are properly randomised, have sufficient scale to be meaningful and generalisable, are blinded if possible, and use placebos when appropriate. Consider the comparator group (is this reflective of your usual practice?) and the population sampled (are they different from patients you see?)
By focusing on high-quality RCTs, you can ensure that the information you are reading is relevant and trustworthy.
Your time is valuable - don’t waste it on papers that are unlikely to change your practice
Interpretation
Once you have identified a valuable article, it's important to get the most out of your interpretation. This can be a challenge, especially for those who are not used to assessing research studies.
One approach is to use a template or checklist to guide your analysis. For example, you might use a template that assesses the quality of the study, the relevance of the results, and the potential impact on your practice.
Seeking out input from colleagues and attending journal clubs can also be a valuable way to get the most out of your interpretation.
If you don’t know where to start, Osler has a great module that teaches you the basics - you can access it freely by following this link
What to do with the information you learn
Having a single place where you keep all the learnings you take from your reading is essential. Osler is a great example - you can create a new CPD record and add whatever you learned to it as notes. You can easily find them all again simply by searching for key words in Osler’s search function.
That way, the time you put into your self education can be easily recalled and translate into better patient outcomes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, staying up-to-date with the latest research is essential for junior doctors who want to provide the best possible care for their patients. By following the tips outlined in this article, clinicians can be more aware of new research, assess its relevance and quality, and get the most out of their self-education. Ultimately, by staying informed about the latest developments in their field, clinicians can improve their knowledge and skills, ultimately providing better care for their patients.