Up for Debate: Re-Envisioning the Journal Club with an Article-Centric Student Debate

  Effective utilization of evidence-based medicine requires skillful development of a critical literature evaluation process. Although traditional journal club activities are a common modality to teach and refine these skills, they may limit a learner’s motivation to perform a well-rounded critique of primary literature. Innovation: In response to the challenges with these traditional formats, we describe a novel approach to refining critical literature evaluation skills in an Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) setting utilizing a focused, article-centric journal club debate. Students, in pairs, are assigned a single article and are tasked with building critical arguments for both pro and con sides of the article, which culminates in a one-on-one debate. Key Findings: The debate has been well received by students and faculty for increasing engagement in the critical literature evaluation process. The article-centric nature of the debate pushes students to a deeper understanding of an article’s merits and pitfalls. Ongoing limitations include significant faculty assessment burden and lack of a standardized, debate-specific evaluation rubric. Next Steps: Future efforts should focus on evaluating student performance and perceptions of the debate compared to traditional journal club formats utilizing pre- and post- surveys.  The creation of a debate-specific grading rubric may streamline the evaluation process and reduce faculty assessment burden.   Article Type:  Not

A Closer Look at the Cardiology PRN

The Cardiology Practice and Research Network (PRN) is composed of students, residents, fellows, clinical pharmacists, and other practitioners with an interest in cardiovascular disorders. As the fourth largest PRN within ACCP, its total membership of 1419 includes 341 students, 75 residents, and 8 fellows. The Cardiology PRN’s mission is to advance the pharmacotherapy of cardiovascular disorders through the promotion of excellence in education, research, and clinical practice by enhancing the knowledge, skills, and productivity of its members. The PRN’s objectives are to provide a means for communication and networking among members; provide quality educational programming at national meetings; use the Internet to facilitate access to information, expertise, and professional opportunities available through the PRN; and provide opportunities for collaborative research