Resident Voices: Key Findings from Journal Club Surveys

Context Journal Club serves as an essential platform in medical education for enhancing critical thinking skills, promoting evidence-based practice, and fostering scholarly discussions among residents. Last year, our Family Medicine Residency Program restructured the Journal Club to incorporate a more resident-driven approach.

Objective This project aims to evaluate the impact of the redesigned Journal Club format. The new format paired each resident with one focal research faculty and one focal faculty advisor, and enabled them to select articles that align with their individual interests. Additionally, residents were provided with a detailed rubric outlining specific metrics on which their presentations would be evaluated.

Study Design and Analysis We conducted a retrospective survey distributed electronically and securely among the graduating class of residents.

Setting The project was conducted within a family medicine residency program in the Southwestern United States over the academic year 2023-2024.

Population Studied The evaluation survey was distributed to the graduating class who participated in the Journal Club, of which 8 residents responded.

Instrument A 15-question investigator developed survey was distributed amongst the outgoing class after finishing Journal Club sessions for the year to collect their thoughts on the revamped process.The survey utilized a combination of Likert responses and open ended responses.

Outcome Measures The primary outcome measures of this project were resident engagement, satisfaction, and critical appraisal skills. These outcomes were measured using a survey in which participants could provide both quantitative and qualitative feedback.

Results The revamped Journal Club design received highly positive feedback from residents. Respondents expressed strong satisfaction with the format and unanimously appreciated access to grading rubrics.

Conclusions The redesigned Journal Club format enhances reported resident satisfaction and engagement. The approach of enabling residents to select articles of personal interest, combined with targeted support from clinical and research faculty, fosters a more individualized and more streamlined Journal Club process. The distribution of structured rubrics and use of predefined grading criteria aids in aligning expectations and outcomes, in a more transparent and rewarding educational experience.