Scanning a JournalPhysicians have limited time to read journals. If you improve the efficiency of your reading, it will help you to keep up-to-date with the latest medical advances.
When and where to do your scanning
- While on the telephone
- While watching television
Read the journal cover
- Is the journal worth reading at all, based on previous issues
- This is particularly important with non-subscription journals!
Read the table of contents
- Will the article have an impact on your practice?
- Do you see the described condition or use the described treatment?
- Mark articles which might be worth reading
Rip journals as soon as you receive them
- Rip out the articles you want to read (or have your staff do it)
- Based on the reading priorities you establish (see below)
- Photocopy one page of back-to-back articles as necessary
Establish reading priorities
Rate each article as you rip it from the journal
5 = the article will definitely have an impact on my practice
4 = the article will probably have an impact
3 = the article might have an impact - needs further investigation
2 = the article is interesting - but no immediate impact
1 = the article is of marginal interest
Then save yourself time by being ruthless
- Read the 5’s and 4’s, see Browsing an Article
- Skim through the 3’s quickly
- Discard the 2’s and 1’s?
|
