Main ContentJournal Club
Journal Club is an interactive monthly conference. A clinical question based on a clinical vignette is sent out that focuses on important topics in medicine. Two senior residents (PGY-2 or PGY-3) perform a literature search based on the clinical vignette and choose one article that bests answers the question posed in the vignette. The residents present their journal articles in a pro vs con format. In addition, each resident provides a literature concept that is required to critically appraise published research.
Faculty experts are chosen by each resident and attend the Journal Club conference to provide insight on the article as it pertains to clinical practice. Moreover, each Journal Club has a designated judge who grades the articles based on an appraisal template and the speakers based on their presentations; the judge announces a winner at the end of the hour.
Below are examples of previous clinical vignettes and their associated articles.
- “A 76-year-old woman with hypertension, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and a recent history of a gastrointestinal bleed complains of palpitations. You diagnose her new onset atrial fibrillation. Which oral anticoagulant would be best for your patient?”
- “A 60-year-old man with hypertension presents to clinic for follow-up one year after ST elevation myocardial infarction. At that time, he had a drug-eluting stent placed in proximal LAD and was started on aspirin and clopidogrel for dual antiplatelet therapy. He has no history of DM, PAD, CKD, HF or tobacco use. No other history of MI. Patient asks you if he should stop his clopidogrel. Based on current evidence, should you stop his dual antiplatelet therapy or continue for longer duration?”
- “A 52-year-old woman comes to see you to establish care. She has hypertension that is well controlled on chlorthalidone 25 mg daily. She has no surgical history. Her family history is notable for diabetes in both her mother and father. She drinks socially, but has never smoked or used illicit drugs. She has never had any colon cancer screening. Her review of systems is negative, including weight loss, hematochezia, melena, or change in bowel movements. After completing your exam, you recommend colorectal cancer screening. She agrees to screening, however she is does not wish to have a colonoscopy. In this scenario, which screening test would be best?”
