Medical education using minimal technology: achieving professional development

Abstract

Background: Traditional journal clubs have been limited by the geography of participants. Web based modalities and social media platforms are now being used to bridge this barrier. Medical education journal club, given the diversity of its community would lend well to these platforms. To date there is very little published regarding online medical education journal clubs. Objective: To bridge geographical barriers; enhance interdisciplinary and interprofessional discussion and collaboration; and to provide opportunities for continuing medical education and faculty development; a monthly synchronous medical education journal club was created for faculty. Design/Methods: From April 2015 to November 2016, 11 online journal clubs were held for the faculty at Northwell Health and the Barbara and Donald Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (Zucker SOM). All articles picked were relevant to medical education and participants were from multiple disciplines. Results: 74% of respondent participants agreed that the content covered during the sessions would positively impact personal and/or professional life and 58% of respondents reported that their overall knowledge/skill level changed positively. Conclusions: On-line medical education journal club can provide a valuable opportunity for continuing education and faculty development for both the participant and the presenter.