ILOCOS TRAINING AND REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEDICINE

COMMUNITY MEDICINE JOURNAL CLUB SESSION GUIDE

Objective:
The Community Medicine Journal Club aims to keep participants (medical clerks, interns,
residents, and consultants) informed about the latest research and best practices in the field of
community health, public health, primary health care, and community-oriented primary care.

Schedule:
Every Thursday, 3:00 pm via Zoom or hybrid (check platform details).

Facilitators: Dr. Eleonor Baldo-Soriano (CBHP Coordinator)

DCFM Resident Rotator for the Month
Other DCFM Consultants or Residents as may be available

Instructions and Methodology:

To prepare for your presentation in the Community Medicine Journal Club:

1. Select a Journal Article: Choose a recent journal article (published within the last five years)
related to community medicine, public health, primary health care, or community-oriented
primary care. You can select a topic from the provided list or propose your own, but ensure it
aligns with the objectives of our journal club.

2. Literature Review: Conduct a literature review to understand the background and context of
your chosen article. Be prepared to discuss how this research contributes to the field of
community medicine.

3. Presentation Structure: Structure your presentation following the provided session format. Be
concise, and use visuals if necessary to enhance clarity. Ensure that you stay within the
allocated time for your presentation. If applicable, briefly mention any older related literature that
supports or contrasts with the main article. Explain how this older literature complements or
challenges the current research. Limit total presentation time to 20 minutes.

Format for Presentation Contents:

1. Introduction
- Welcome and brief overview of the session.
- Introduction of the presenter/reporter.

2. Journal Article Presentation

- The presenter/reporter provides a concise presentation of the selected journal article.
- Focus on key points, methodology, results, and implications.
- Use visual aids if necessary (e.g., slides) to enhance understanding.
3. Insight and Appraisal
- Offer insights into the significance of the article and, optionally, provide an appraisal. Discuss
the strengths and limitations of the research.
- Optional: Provide an appraisal of the journal article, discussing strengths and limitations.

4. Discussion
- Encourage active participation by opening the floor for questions and discussion after your
presentation. Be prepared to address queries and engage in critical dialogue with your peers
and mentors.
- Explore the practical implications of the research presented.

6. Conclusion and Takeaways

- Summarize the key takeaways from the journal article and discussion.
- Emphasize the practical implications for community medicine practice.

7. Three - Minute Thesis

- Present the content of your journal to an imagined lay audience using the three - minute thesis
format. The three-minute thesis (3MT) is a new format of research presentation that builds on
the classic “elevator pitch”. The challenge in this type of presentation is to explain your research
to an intelligent non-specialist audience in under 3 minutes with limited visual aids. The visual
aid is limited to a single 16:9 slide, no animations or video, and no props.
You can refer to the following sources:
https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/scientificcommunication/chapter/the-3-minute-thesis/
https://www.tamucc.edu/grad-college/grow/assets/documents/3mt-presentation.pptx
https://www.mcgill.ca/skillsets/files/skillsets/mcgill_3mt_presenter_guidebook_0.pdf

Remember that the Community Medicine Journal Club aims to foster collaborative learning and
critical thinking. Your active engagement and thoughtful presentation will contribute to
meaningful discussions and enhance our understanding of community health and public health
issues

Guide Questions for Presenters/Reporters:

1. Introduction:
- What is the title of the journal article, and who are the authors?
- Provide a brief background on the topic and its significance.

2. Journal Article Presentation:

- What was the research question or objective of the study?
- What methodology was used in the research?
- What were the main findings and results?
- How do these findings contribute to our understanding of community health and public health?
3. Insight and Appraisal:
- Why is this journal article important for community medicine practitioners?
- Do you have any critical insights or appraisals regarding the research?
- What implications does this research have for healthcare practice in communities?

4. Discussion:
- Are there any questions or topics you would like to open for discussion?
- How can the findings of this research be applied in real-world community health settings?

6. Conclusion and Takeaways:

- Summarize the key points of the presentation.
- What are the main takeaways for community medicine practitioners?

8. Three - Minute Thesis (3MT) [Remember, you only show a static, single slide during this part;
bear in mind also that you are presenting to a non -specialist audience]
3MT talks generally consist of 6 parts:
I. The Hook – Introduce the topic of study in a way that grab’s the audience’s attention.
II. The Problem – Convey the problem to the audience in terms they can understand and
appreciate it’s importance.
III. The Research Question – the problem description should lead to an obvious statement of
the research question.
IV. The Approach - Describe the approach to answering the research question.
V. Discovery – What was found out? What conclusions were?
VI. The Big Picture - How will this research change the world?

Grading Criteria:
1. Content:
- Accuracy and completeness of journal article presentation.
- Quality of insights and appraisal.
- Relevance of related literature.

2. Clarity and Presentation:

- Clarity of communication.
- Effective use of visual aids.
- Staying within the allocated time.

3. Relevance to Community Medicine:

- Demonstrating the significance and relevance of the research to community medicine
practice.

4. Engagement:
- Active participation in the discussion.
- Ability to answer questions and engage in critical dialogue.
COMMUNITY MEDICINE JOURNAL CLUB TOPICS LIST

For the community medicine journal club, you can cover a wide range of topics related to public
health, healthcare delivery, and community-based interventions. Here are some topics that
could be discussed:

1. Community oriented primary care (COPC)

* Look for articles that discuss how using principles of public health, preventive medicine and
primary care, and epidemiology improve a community's health

2. Community Health Needs Assessment

* Look for recent research on conducting comprehensive community health needs assessments
and how the findings can inform public health programs.

3. Community-Based Interventions
*Explore studies on the effectiveness of various community-based interventions, such as
vaccination campaigns, health education programs, and preventive services.

4. Health Disparities
* Examine research addressing health disparities within communities, including disparities
based on race, socioeconomic status, and geographic location.

5. Primary Care and Community Health

* Look for articles that discuss the role of primary care providers in addressing community
health issues and improving access to healthcare services.

6. Telemedicine and Remote Healthcare

* Look for articles that explore the use of telemedicine and digital health technologies in
delivering healthcare services to underserved communities.

7. Public Health Policy

* Find articles that analyze the impact of public health policies and regulations on community
health outcomes.

8. Community Engagement Strategies

* Aticles that review strategies for engaging and involving communities in the planning and
implementation of health programs.

9. Environmental Health
* Articles that discuss research related to environmental factors affecting community health,
including air and water quality, food safety, and climate change.

10. Epidemiological Studies

* Articles that examine epidemiological studies investigating disease outbreaks, prevalence, and
risk factors in specific communities.

11. Health Promotion and Education

* Articles that explore the effectiveness of health promotion and education initiatives aimed at
improving community health behaviors.

12. Maternal and Child Health

* Articles that discuss research on maternal and child health issues within communities,
including prenatal care, childhood vaccinations, and adolescent health.

13. Mental Health in Communities

* Studies on mental health issues within communities and strategies for addressing them.

14. Community Health Worker Programs

* Articles that analyze the role of community health workers in bridging the gap between
healthcare providers and underserved populations.

15. Innovations in Community Healthcare

* Studies that explore innovative approaches, technologies, and models of care delivery in
community medicine.

16. Healthcare Access and Equity

Researches and initiatives aimed at improving access to healthcare services and achieving
health equity in communities.

17. Global Health

Articles that consider global health issues and the impact of international collaborations on
community health.

18. Healthcare Delivery in Rural Areas

* Articles that examine challenges and solutions related to healthcare delivery in rural and
remote communities.

19. Disaster Preparedness and Response

* Articles that explore community-based disaster preparedness and response plans and their
effectiveness in safeguarding public health during emergencies.

20. Social Determinants of Health

* Articles that discuss the influence of social determinants, such as education, employment, and
housing, on community health outcomes.

21. Community Resilience

* Articles on strategies for building community resilience to health crises and disasters.
These topics offer a diverse range of subjects for discussion. The objective for the community
medicine journal club is for participants (medical clerks, interns, residents and consultants) to
stay informed about the latest research and best practices in the field of community health and
public health. Relevant to this, please select an article that was published in the past five years.
You may include older related literature to support your main article for your presentation.

Thanks and happy journal searching! :-)

Prepared by:

Eleonor Baldo-Soriano, MD