Open Pharma recommendations for plain language summaries of peer-reviewed medical journal publications

Abstract

Plain language summaries of peer-reviewed publications are intended for everyone engaging with medical research, such as patients, patient advocates, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers. These summaries encourage discussions around medical research and aid fully informed and shared decision-making. The broad range of stakeholders involved in pharmaceutical research now puts the pharmaceutical industry in a unique position to make the medical publishing model more open. We believe that the next step of openness is to create a more accessible and inclusive environment through the routine development of plain language summaries of peer-reviewed medical journal publications.There are many formats of plain language summaries, but plain text is the most discoverable through indexing in directories such as PubMed. Standardizing the minimum steps for the development and sharing of index-friendly plain language summaries can help promote the quality and credibility of these lay communications. The aim of a minimum standard is to build a universal foundation that encourages the accessibility, discoverability, and inclusivity of plain language summaries. This standard can then serve as a basis for summaries written for a more specific target audience or that include graphically and digitally enhanced formats that increase understanding and engagement, which we strongly encourage.

Plain language summaries: Enabling increased diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in scholarly publishing

“…Many medical writing agencies have dedicated plain language writing teams, trained to deliver and ensure quality, with the ability to consult and advise on developing PLS. There is also a wealth of training materials and toolkits for learning to write in plain language available for aspiring PLS authors, such as those from the Patient Information Forum and Patient Focused Medicines Development, as well as recommendations and frameworks to guide PLS development (Dormer et al, 2022; Lobban, Gardner, et al, 2022; Rosenberg et al, 2021). Readability metrics, which assign a numerical reading age or level to a piece of text to indicate how understandable it is, can be used to help quantify quality (Grabeel et al, 2018).…”

“…PLS benefit a broad and diverse readership seeking to access research information (Dormer et al, 2022; Lobban, Gardner, et al, 2022; Rosenberg et al, 2021). This readership includes stakeholders such as fellow professionals and researchers (particularly those who may be time‐poor, non‐specialist or non‐native speaking), students, science communicators, policy and governance professionals, the media and journalists, and the public (Dormer et al, 2022; Lobban, Gardner, et al, 2022; Rosenberg et al, 2021). In health and biomedical research publications in particular, this readership extends to include healthcare professionals, patients, carers, patient organizations and advocacy groups (Dormer et al, 2022; Lobban, Gardner, et al, 2022; Rosenberg et al, 2021).…”

“…PLS benefit a broad and diverse readership seeking to access research information (Dormer et al, 2022; Lobban, Gardner, et al, 2022; Rosenberg et al, 2021). This readership includes stakeholders such as fellow professionals and researchers (particularly those who may be time‐poor, non‐specialist or non‐native speaking), students, science communicators, policy and governance professionals, the media and journalists, and the public (Dormer et al, 2022; Lobban, Gardner, et al, 2022; Rosenberg et al, 2021).…”

“…Plain language summaries (PLS) are short summaries accompanying peer‐reviewed journal publications that are written in non‐technical and jargon‐free language, to be easily accessible and understandable. PLS are intended to be true to the same scientific messages and conclusions as the accompanying publication, and are typically peer reviewed as part of the manuscript submission package (DeTora et al, 2022; Dormer et al, 2022; Lobban, Gardner, et al, 2022; Rosenberg et al, 2021). Although PLS are a relatively new feature within scholarly publishing, they are a well‐established element of research outputs from organizations such as Cochrane and the National Institute for Health and Care Research in the United Kingdom (National Institute for Health and Care Research, 2021b; Pitcher et al, 2022).…”

“…PLS and PLSPs are intended to diversify readership of research by enabling a wider breadth of stakeholders and audiences to engage with content (Dormer et al, 2022; Lobban, Gardner, et al, 2022; Rosenberg et al, 2021) (Fig. 2).…”