The role of journal clubs in orthopaedic surgery residency programs.

Journal clubs have a long history in graduate medical education; however, their role in orthopaedic surgery residencies has not been analyzed. The 161 orthopaedic residency program directors in the United States and Canada were surveyed to determine the frequency, format, and goals of journal clubs. Journal clubs are a regular part of the education program in 147 of the 149 programs that responded. Most journal clubs meet once per month in the evening and review articles from more than one periodical. Program directors rate teaching residents how to evaluate a scientific article as the most important goal of a journal club. Although journal clubs are virtually universal in orthopaedic programs, additional study is needed to assess their efficacy and optimal format.