FCER Journal Club to keep DCs up-to-date on research

May 22, 2008 — Chiropractors have a new resource to keep up-to-date on research by joining the Journal Club, a series of free teleseminars sponsored by the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER).

 “We started the Journal Club in February,” said FCER’s Marketing Manager Tom Blackett. “Dates and topics are dependent on facilitator availability, so we don’t have a set schedule.”

The club’s second seminar, scheduled for May 22, was led by Michael Schneider, DC. The topic was “Atlas vertebra realignment and achievement of arterial pressure goal in hypertensive patients: A pilot study.”

The club selects current controversial or important articles to review. According to a description of the club, “The club will encourage clinicians to share thoughts about the research article and create a uniform template that lists the pros and cons of the chosen study. … On the day of the teleconference, the discussion leader briefs the participants by reviewing the abstract of the study and then presents the critiques of the study, both pros and cons.”

“We want to show the participants a systematic way of reviewing a scientific article and prove the point that simply looking at an abstract is a ‘slippery slope,” said Robin Merrifield, FCER director of education. “The ultimate goal is to raise awareness about staying up-to-date with respect to the evidence as it emerges and to help coach the clinician on how to critically evaluate a scientific paper.”

Registration for each teleseminar is free but must be made in advance. Information about the club is available by e-mailing FCER@fcer.org or by calling 800-622-6309.

 Source: Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research, www.fcer.org