Journal club: Can faculty be role model for residents?

Garehaity R Kanthraj, Kariligi Siddalingappa

 Dept. of Skin & STD's, Government Medical College Hospital, (VIMS), Bellary-583 104, Karnataka, India

Correspondence Address:
Garehaity R Kanthraj
Dept. of Skin & STD's, Government Medical College Hospital, (VIMS), Bellary-583 104, Karnataka
India

To the Editor

Journal Club (JC) is an essential component in resident training programme. Importance of the J.C and its significance in continued reading has been highlighted by Anderson et al.[1] How to generate interest in continued reading with subsequent purse of knowledge in dermatology among our residents?

A resident should be trained to answer some of the cardinal questions at the JC [Table - 1]. Beginners have a tendency to accept everything in print, instead should learn to approach with a sense of skepticism. They should be encouraged to come with scientific and innovative concepts for questions which goes unanswered at the JC. There shouldn′t be conflict of interest or ego among the residents and faculty. As each faculty will have their own opinions and views all faculty members should participate. If a topic requires the participation of non dermatologists (even non medical) they should be invited to share their views.

Importance of choosing an article depends on the interest it can generate, updates the current literature and its relevance in patient care. JC discussion can throw light for taking up new research projects. As long as the article is related to dermatology, thought provoking and published in an index journal, one should not differentiate between dermatology or non dermatology journals. Faculty in charge of the JC should assign the resident for periodical

MEDLINE or INTERNET survey and choose the articles. A short cut method for reading the articles in short time has been highlighted by Bigby and Gadenne.[2] It helps in rapid evaluation of the articles. Interesting articles in nondermatology journals like the Lancet, pointed by Bernhard,[3] will not be missed by this procedure.

Apart from dissertation, JC exercises (a study article and a case report analysis) should be included in the curriculum of residency examination. Analysis of dissertation tests the residents prepared defense on the subject whilst JC exercises determines the clinical aptitude skills of a resident as well as the independent capacity to conduct research.

1.	Anderson BE, Marks JG, Miller JJ. Continue reading. Arch Dermatol 2001;137:1105-1106. [Google Scholar]
2.	Bigby M, Godenne AS. Understanding and evaluating clinical trials. J Am Acad Dermatol 1996;34:555-590. [Google Scholar]
3.	Bernhard JD. Read the Lancet, or else! Arch Dermatol 2000;136:602-605. [Google Scholar]