Evaluation of a journal club as a forum to practise critical appraisal skills

Critical appraisal skills are important if clinicians are to practise evidence-based medicine. This is an evaluation of the first six months of a journal club in a department of public health medicine. We analysed attendance, types of paper reviewed, impact on commissioning policy and publication of letters to editors and conclude that journal clubs can be an effective learning environment and further the Clinical Effectiveness Initiative.