Pre-Conference Academic Masterclass Session 4: Journal Club and Critical Research Appraisal
Summary
Immerse yourself in Session 4 of our Pre-Conference Academic Masterclass: Journal Club and Critical Research Appraisal. This educational session is specifically designed for medical professionals seeking to enhance their understanding and skills in reviewing and critically appraising medical research.
Led by Dr. Ollie Burton, an NHS doctor, researcher, and medical educator, the session will break down complex academic concepts into actionable skills for medical professionals. Dr. Burton has built a reputation for making medical education accessible and practical, ensuring that healthcare professionals can confidently interpret research and apply it to real-world clinical scenarios.
This session is designed for students, junior doctors, and healthcare professionals who want to improve their ability to evaluate medical literature, distinguish high-quality research from flawed studies, and integrate strong evidence into clinical practice. Attendance will not only deepen your research literacy but also help you navigate and make sense of the ever-expanding sea of medical literature. Join this progressive session and enrich your evidence-based practice skills in an increasingly complex medical landscape.
Learning objectives
- Understand Research Methodologies – Recognise different study designs (RCTs, cohort studies, case-control, systematic reviews) and determine when they should be used.
- Assess Validity & Reliability – Evaluate internal and external validity in research studies and recognise errors in methodology that can impact study outcomes.
- Identify Bias and Confounding Factors – Understand different types of bias (selection bias, recall bias, confirmation bias) and explore strategies to adjust for them.
- Interpret Statistical Results – Develop the ability to critically analyse p-values, confidence intervals, effect sizes, and the distinction between statistical vs. clinical significance.
- Apply Findings to Clinical Practice – Use structured frameworks like PICO and CASP tools to determine if research findings are applicable to patient care.