The reading of papers can be just that -a passive run through received wisdom, or a critical exercise that can mean life or death when it comes to the medical literature. Dr. Mastracci last year did a wonderful thing by offering a few papers on how to judge the evidence. What the critical reader does is akin to what a pawn broker does when a purchase is considered. There are objective criteria, qualitative criteria, and the gut feeling of value. Do not discount the last, but apply the first because not all that shines is gold.
A Surgeon's Notes 