You're struggling to keep up with the latest medical research. How can you stay ahead of the curve?

There is a short remark to fix minor mistakes in the left column. PubMed is not a database but a free search engine accessing the MEDLINE database. MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate are tools for professionals. In case you don't have a degree in the field of interest, I recommend starting with Cochrane Library.

Regularly read peer-reviewed journals relevant to your field. Many journals will offer email alerts for new articles. Join online communities by identifying relevant platforms and active participation by asking questions, sharing your insights, and contributing to your discussions.

Lorsque je fais des recherches pour réaliser une conférence, j'utilise souvent Google Scholar. Il donne accès à de nombreuses études scientifiques. A partir de là, lorsque je trouve une étude pertinente avec le sujet que je souhaite aborder, je fais également des recherches sur les auteurs, quelques fois ils ont des sites internet avec des blogs qui permettent d'aller approfondir un sujet. Je peux vite y passer des heures tellement certains sujets sont passionnants.

I finally set up some Google alerts on topics that interest me -- "cancer survivorship" for example. These all go to a folder I created in my email InBox. When I need a writing prompt for my newsletter, I sift through this collection and there is always something there. I've also set an alert for my name so I know if I'm quoted in a publication or article.

Publicly funded and credible sources are available online. I would take advantage of it. Many publications and scholarly studies are available and free.

"The latest medical research" is too broad. It's worse than drinking from a firehose. Joining communities or chats that are connected to your line of interest will help you stay focused and streamline your learning to what excites and motivates you. If you have the resources, host your own online discussion forum or webinar where you invite researchers to share what they've been working on. Learning and keeping up with trends requires connecting with new and fresh ideas in your area of interest. Encourage sharing and mentoring as a way of learning and staying connected and relevant.

One thing I have found helpful is joining Substack. By following experts outside of my field like Eric Topol (AI and COVID), Ryan McCormick (Family Practice) and Jen Gunter (OB-GYN), I receive curated summaries of the latest evidence with source links if I want to learn more. This helps me keep up with current medical trends that my patients (or family!) might ask about.

Most professional nursing organizations host national and even international conferences. Check out organizations such as NBNA, SIGMA, NAHN, and PNAA.

In addition to the extra knowledge gained from webinars and events, these platforms often offer a more interactive and engaging learning experience. Unlike traditional research papers, attending live sessions allows you to directly interact with experts, fostering a deeper connection and understanding of complex topics.

J'organise moi-même des webinaires en ligne sur des sujets de santé naturelle. Mais j'y participe également très souvent, comme le sommet des plantes médicinales, le sommet du syndrome de l'intestin irritable. C'est à chaque fois si passionnant et instructif et je pense qu'il en faut jamais cesser d'apprendre et de se documenter car c'est un domaine qui évolue perpétuellement.

One thing many may find helpful is attending professional events where latest trends are showcased and presented. Many professional organizations host regular events that would be a great place to keep up with latest trends and best practices.

Effectivement certaines études sont même parfois contradictoires. Il est primordial de vérifier qui a mené la recherche et quels sont ces conflits d'intérêt. Je m'intéresse aussi beaucoup à la taille de la cohorte. Quand je vois certaines marques de cosmétiques affichant un taux de satisfaction élevé alors que quand on va voir le petit * on s'aperçoit que c'est testé sur 10 personnes. 🤔Est-ce vraiment pertinent?

The goal when reading medical research is to think critically. There are a few important perspectives to keep in mind to quickly get the value out of each study. 1. All research has some bias and this can lead to conflict of interests. Additionally, there is a bias to only publish positive results. It is helpful to always read who performed and who funded the study to get a perspective of the study’s foundation. 2. If the measured endpoint is either not useful clinically or improperly used in the study then the outcome and implications are limited in value. 3. The abstract is designed to be short so may exclude some details. Be sure to compare pre and post study outcomes to make your own conclusions.

Joining professional organizations in your area of specialty is an excellent avenue to up to date research, issues, analysis and colleagues. Most have an annual meeting or conference that provides a rich environment for immersive learning, discussions with others, ongoing research and projections for the future. Additionally, they provide members with access to literature, resources, professional contacts, webinars, and local events that provide endless opportunities to stay current in your area of interest, and contribute to the body of knowledge in your field.

Keep asking questions! Pattern recognition is a core component of our training and important in clinical practice. However, it is easy to slip into an assembly line mentality. Even if there not anything unique about a patient's clinical picture, I ask every one The Patient Dignity Question: What is the one thing I need to know to take the best care of you? Try it and I guarantee you'll be surprised at the answers!

If you want to stay up to date on latest research and articles, set up an RSS feed or Google alert for the topics and keywords that you want to be in the know for. You can set up a Google alert daily, weekly or monthly and then choose which articles or reports to read in their entirety.

Honestly, we all have strengths and weaknesses. In my experience, building a team that is well rounded with a subject matter expert for most categories is incredibly important. All of you need to share a love and passion for the mission but each of you will bring a different set of skills. This area, for instance, is not an area that I excel in, so how I manage it, is to make sure there is someone on my team who is a master at this.

In navigating the deluge of medical information, it's imperative to acknowledge the overwhelming nature of the data at our fingertips. With an abundance of research, it's impossible to consume it all. In this era of information surplus, the key is learning to curate our sources effectively. Time constraints demand a strategic approach—choosing not only what we read but from where. Selecting reliable newsletters, authors, databases, or magazines that align with our interests is essential. Regular reviews ensure that we refine our sources, eliminating noise and staying focused on the insights that truly matter. Trust the process, stay disciplined, and let quality information shape your understanding of the ever-evolving medical landscape.