How to conduct an annual literature update for top articles relevant to clinical practice in geriatrics: A scoping review

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundClinical educators in geriatrics are often tasked with presenting a literature update at annual conferences and scientific meetings, which is a highly regarded continuing medical education (CME) activity. Preparation of an annual literature update cannot rely on bibliometric analysis due to time lag and poor correlation between bibliometrics and expert opinion on clinical relevance. The methodology of how top research articles of the year are selected and presented is not often reported.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review for published reports of a curated selection of recent articles critically appraised for high impact to clinical practice in general geriatrics, published from 2010 to 2022.ResultsSix annual literature updates were included for study. Three updates detailed their article sources, ranging from a survey of clinicians, consulting seven individual journals, searching up to four bibliographic databases, scanning social media outlets, and reviewing previous literature updates. One update reported a detailed method of article selection and consensus development. Critical appraisal of articles followed a structured reporting of clinical context, methods, results, and a statement of clinical implication or bottom line. Three of the six updates' results were disseminated in an annual conference update and did not evaluate learning outcomes of the audience. We mapped the results on a four‐step framework of article search, selection, critical appraisal, and dissemination of knowledge.ConclusionsEducators in geriatrics consult numerous article sources spanning multiple journals, databases, social media, and peer suggestions to create an annual literature update. The methodology of article search and selection is inconsistently described. In this exciting area of CME, we encourage educators to develop a framework for conducting annual literature updates in geriatrics and expand its scholarship.