How to get the most out of virtual journal club during the global pandemic?

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) continue to be a global pandemic since March 2020. In the foreseeable future, most laboratories will still hold virtual journal club. I found it a great way to improve knowledge and critical appraisal skills. Inspired by her leadership, I gather a dozen physicians from China and organize a virtual journal club on learning the Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes (2020) with 16 sessions and 212 pages. However it faces many challenges when go virtually. For example, there are always someone be late for the club. Whether you're an organizer or a participant, here are three tips on how to get the most out of virtual journal club.

1.    Build a community

  Journal clubs could have members of varying backgrounds including postdoctoral fellow, technician, graduate student, visiting scholar, and statistician. My purpose to organize the journal club is to form a research team. But collaborative groups can’t be assigned—they have to be built and nurtured from those who demonstrate an interest in continued improvement. It is important that participants understand their purpose and share their goals. My aim is to create a friendly community where the members feel free to share their thoughts and ask “silly” questions (There is no such things as a silly question!).

2.    Maintain accountability

Due to the 12-hour time jet lag, I chose Friday evening (20-21pm) and Sunday morning (8-9am) (US Eastern Time) when everyone can be online. Since there is no direct supervision, virtual teams may lack the motivation to be productive. I suggest every participants to open the camera and ask at least one question. Comments on how this publication is essential for their own research are especially welcome.

3.    Invite and designate senior investigator as a leader 

  Not only do we need a coordinator (usually myself) to keep track of time, make sure everyone stays on-topic, and maintain a positive environment, but also we need a senior investigator as a leader. People are happier when they take part in something bigger than themselves. And the journal presenters may not have the broad expertise in interpreting the data and publishing the paper as the senior investigator. If the questions raised by the participants could be answered by the invited senior investigator or principal investigator, the critical appraisal skills of the participants will be improved, which further increase the chances of success in the next journal club. If possible senior investigator should be the primary individual responsible for the facilitating the meeting.

If you want to go fast, walk alone. If you want to go far, walk together. We have completed most sessions of Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes (2020). Core members show strong interest in starting to learn the new Textbook of Diabetes. Everyone got inspiration from the discussion, and several potential and cooperative projects were generated. Getting the most of virtually journal club provides an unique opportunity to strength expertise and collaboration in this global pandemic.