Evidence-based critical appraisal of articles in journal clubs forms an essential part of psychiatric training. The College emphasises the importance of journal clubs as part of the postgraduate teaching programme (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2003) and a journal club presentation will be one of the workplace-based assessments undertaken by trainees to demonstrate competencies in the new curriculum (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2006).
However, since the loss of the National Health Service licence regarding copyright privilege it has become increasingly difficult to organise journal clubs. Previously, once a paper was identified, it could be photocopied and sent out in advance or handed out at the session. Now each individual attending must be sent details of the paper, and they must download and print their own copy. This involves excessive time and also increases cost (as printing is more expensive than photocopying). It also means that many trainees fail to have a copy of the paper for discussion, either because of lack of computer access, lack of time or perhaps through laziness. This certainly does not facilitate good-quality teaching and learning.
We wonder if other teaching programmes have had similar experiences and it they have found a more convenient way to organise access to journal articles. One way forward would be for the College to authorise the reproduction of its own publications for members organising journal clubs, allowing photocopying of articles from several peer-reviewed, hopefully high-quality journals.
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