The Power of Peer Learning

―An Attempt of Collaborative Construction and Management of Online Journal Club with Physicians of the Same Generation―

Abstract

　While there is an emphasis on fostering the next generation of medical educators, it is difficult for the younger generation to find opportunities to deepen their knowledge of medical education regularly amid their busy clinical work. Using journal clubs is a strategy for lifelong learning in the professional field; yet, it is difficult to operate and maintain one. We established an online journal club for medical education and research with 9- to 12-year post-graduates from different institutions across Japan. While it is generally said that even face-to-face journal clubs are difficult to sustain, we were able to hold more than 40 online meetings in one year. We discussed why our approach was feasible, citing social congruence theory and self-determination theory.