Introduction

Journal Club

CJEM 1999;1(1):37-38

Abstract

Our CJEM Journal Club consists of two sections. The first, "Critically Appraised Topics," is devoted to evidence-based reviews of specific EM-related questions. Questions will be answered by using a focused literature review and presenting the results in a CAT (Critically Appraised Topic) format. The aims of this section are to address clinical or administrative questions, to demonstrate the application of evidence-based medicine methods in answering such questions, and to accumulate a CAT database for emergency physicians.

The section editor for Critically Appraised Topics is Dr. Michael Bullard, 1G1.58 Walter Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre, 8440 112 St., Edmonton AB T6G 2B7; fax 780 492-9857; michael.bullard@ualberta.ca

The second section, "Selected Articles," is devoted to evidence-based article reviews. The aims of this section are to demonstrate the use of the critical review format, to review articles of interest to emergency physicians, and to determine the relative validity and usefulness of these articles. Review articles will address 3 key questions: What are the results? Are the results valid? and Will the results help me care for my patients? In each issue of CJEM, we hope to have 3 to 5 important articles reviewed by emergentologists with a special interest or expertise in the topic under discussion. The preferred review methodology, including critical review forms, is described in "Users' Guide to the Medical Literature," a series published in JAMA.^1-4 Authors wishing to view samples of appropriate article review format may visit the Evidence-Based Medicine Web site (cebm.jr2.ox.ac.uk) or peruse articles published in ACP Journal Club.

The section editor for Selected Articles is Dr. David Rhine, Department of Emergency Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center; PO Box 3354, MBC 84, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; fax 966-1-442-1436; drhine@hotmail.com

CATs and selected article reviews should be submitted to the appropriate section editor. Suitability for publication in CJEM will be determined by the quality of the review and the topic's level of interest to emergency physicians. For further guidelines see "Instructions for Authors".

References

1. Oxman AD, Sackett DL, Guyatt GH. The Evidence-Based Medicine Working Group. Users' guides to the medical literature: how to get started. JAMA 1993;270:2093-5.
2. Guyatt GH, Sackett DL, Cook DJ. The Evidence-Based Medicine Working Group. Users' guides to the medical literature: how to use an article about therapy or prevention. Are the results of the study valid? JAMA 1993;270:598-601.
3. Guyatt GH, Sackett DL, Cook DJ. The Evidence-Based Medicine Working Group. Users' guides to the medical literature: how to use an article about therapy or prevention. What were the results and will they help me in caring for my patients? JAMA 1994;271:59-63.
4. Dans AL, Dans LF, Guyatt GH, Richardson S. The Evidence-Based Medicine Working Group. Users' guides to the medical literature: how to decide on the applicability of clinical trial results. JAMA 1998;279:545-9.