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Wen J, Yi L. Are plain language summaries more readable than scientific abstracts? Evidence from six biomedical and life sciences journals. PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE (BRISTOL, ENGLAND) 2024:9636625241252565. [PMID: 38783772 DOI: 10.1177/09636625241252565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
In recent decades, members of the general public have become increasingly reliant on findings of scientific studies for decision-making. However, scientific writing usually features a heavy use of technical language, which may pose challenges for people outside of the scientific community. To alleviate this issue, plain language summaries were introduced to provide a brief summary of scientific papers in clear and accessible language. Despite increasing attention paid to the research of plain language summaries, little is known about whether these summaries are readable for the intended audiences. Based on a large corpus sampled from six biomedical and life sciences journals, the present study examined the readability and jargon use of plain language summaries and scientific abstracts on a technical level. It was found that (1) plain language summaries were more readable than scientific abstracts, (2) the reading grade levels of plain language summaries were moderately correlated with that of scientific abstracts, (3) researchers used less jargon in plain language summaries than in scientific abstracts, and (4) the readability of and the jargon use in both plain language summaries and scientific abstracts exceeded the recommended threshold for the general public. The findings were discussed with possible explanations. Implications for academic writing and scientific communication were offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Wen
- Chengdu Jincheng College, China
| | - Lan Yi
- Zhejiang University, China; Chengdu Jincheng College, China
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Benson-Goldberg S, Geist L, Erickson K. Simplified COVID-19 guidance for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES 2024; 37:e13222. [PMID: 38494739 DOI: 10.1111/jar.13222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created guidance documents that were too complex to be read and understood by the majority of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who often read at or below a third-grade reading level. This study explored the extent to which these adults could read and understand CDC documents simplified using Minimised Text Complexity Guidelines. METHOD This study involved 20 participants, 18-48 years of age. Participants read texts and responded to multiple-choice items and open-ended questions to gather information about how they interacted with and understood the texts. RESULTS The results provide initial evidence that the Minimised Text Complexity Guidelines resulted in texts that participants could read and understand. CONCLUSION Implications for increasing the accessibility of public health information so that it can be read and understood by adults with extremely low literacy skills are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Benson-Goldberg
- Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, Department of Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Lori Geist
- Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, Department of Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Karen Erickson
- Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, Department of Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
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Prakash V, Gore K, Shukla G, Tapiawala P, Thakkar S. Does the format of result presentation and type of conclusion in Cochrane plain language summaries matter? A randomised controlled trial. BMJ Evid Based Med 2024; 29:96-103. [PMID: 37879889 DOI: 10.1136/bmjebm-2023-112433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate whether the format and type of conclusion in Cochrane plain language summaries (PLSs) influence readers' perception of treatment benefit and decision-making. DESIGN An online parallel group, three-arm randomised controlled trial was conducted. SETTING The study was conducted online. PARTICIPANTS The participants were physiotherapy students. INTERVENTIONS The participants read two Cochrane PLSs, one with a positive conclusion (strong evidence of benefit) and another with a negative conclusion (strong evidence of non-benefit). Each participant read the results of both reviews presented in one of three formats: (1) numerical, (2) textual or (3) numerical and textual. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome measure was the participants' perception of treatment benefit. RESULTS All three groups of participants perceived the treatment to have positive effects when the Cochrane PLS had a positive conclusion, regardless of the format of presentation (mean perception of treatment benefit score: textual 7.7 (SD 2.3), numerical 7.9 (SD 1.8), numerical and textual 7.7 (SD 1.7), p=0.362). However, when the Cochrane PLS had a negative conclusion, all three groups of participants failed to perceive a negative effect (mean perception of treatment benefit score: textual 5.5 (SD 3.3), numerical 5.6 (SD 2.7), numerical and textual 5.9 (SD 2.8), p=0.019). CONCLUSIONS The format of Cochrane PLSs does not appear to significantly impact physiotherapy students' perception of treatment benefit, understanding of evidence, persuasiveness or confidence in their decision. However, participants' perception of treatment benefit does not align with the conclusion when the Cochrane PLS indicates strong evidence of non-benefit from the intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER CTRI/2022/10/046476.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Prakash
- Ashok & Rita Patel Institute of Physiotherapy, Charotar University of Science and Technology, Anand, Gujarat, India
| | - Kirti Gore
- Ashok & Rita Patel Institute of Physiotherapy, Charotar University of Science and Technology, Anand, Gujarat, India
| | - Gunjan Shukla
- Ashok & Rita Patel Institute of Physiotherapy, Charotar University of Science and Technology, Anand, Gujarat, India
| | - Priyanshi Tapiawala
- Ashok & Rita Patel Institute of Physiotherapy, Charotar University of Science and Technology, Anand, Gujarat, India
| | - Smit Thakkar
- Ashok & Rita Patel Institute of Physiotherapy, Charotar University of Science and Technology, Anand, Gujarat, India
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Krenn C, Semlitsch T, Zipp C, Lengauer S, Shao L, Schreck T, Bedek M, Kupfer C, Albert D, Kubicek B, Siebenhofer A, Jeitler K. Customization options in consumer health information materials on type-2 diabetes mellitus-an analysis of modifiable features in different types of media. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1252244. [PMID: 38450136 PMCID: PMC10915235 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1252244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The understanding of health-related information is essential for making informed decisions. However, providing health information in an understandable format for everyone is challenging due to differences in consumers' health status, disease knowledge, skills, and preferences. Tailoring health information to individual needs can improve comprehension and increase health literacy. Objective The aim of our research was to analyze the extent to which consumers can customize consumer health information materials (CHIMs) for type-2 diabetes mellitus through various media types. Methods We conducted a comprehensive search for various CHIMs across various media types, such as websites, apps, videos, and printed or printable forms. A representative sample of CHIMs was obtained for analysis through blocked randomization across the various media types. We conducted a quantitative content analysis to determine the frequency of user-centered customization options. Cross-comparisons were made to identify trends and variations in modifiable features among the media. Results In our representative sample of 114 CHIMs, we identified a total of 24 modifiable features, which we grouped into five main categories: (i) language, (ii) text, (iii) audiovisual, (iv) presentation, and (v) medical content. Videos offered the most customization opportunities (95%), while 47% of websites and 26% of apps did not allow users to tailor health information. None of the printed or printable materials provided the option to customize the information. Overall, 65% of analyzed CHIMs did not allow users to tailor health information according to their needs. Conclusion Our results show that CHIMs for type-2 diabetes mellitus could be significantly improved by providing more customization options for users. Further research is needed to investigate the effectiveness and usability of these options to enhance the development and appropriate provision of modifiable features in health information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Krenn
- Institute of General Practice and Evidence-based Health Services Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Thomas Semlitsch
- Institute of General Practice and Evidence-based Health Services Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Carolin Zipp
- Institute of General Practice and Evidence-based Health Services Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Stefan Lengauer
- Institute of Computer Graphics and Knowledge Visualization, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | - Lin Shao
- Institute of Computer Graphics and Knowledge Visualization, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- Fraunhofer Austria Center for Data Driven Design, Graz, Austria
| | - Tobias Schreck
- Institute of Computer Graphics and Knowledge Visualization, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | - Michael Bedek
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Cordula Kupfer
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | | | - Andrea Siebenhofer
- Institute of General Practice and Evidence-based Health Services Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Klaus Jeitler
- Institute of General Practice and Evidence-based Health Services Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Vallimont J, Gibler RC, Gelfand AA. Headache launches the publication of plain language summaries. Headache 2023; 63:1333-1334. [PMID: 37964612 DOI: 10.1111/head.14645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Plain Language Summary Publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/head.14647
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenn Vallimont
- Headache Editorial Team, American Headache Society, Mount Royal, New Jersey, USA
| | - Robert C Gibler
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Amy A Gelfand
- Child and Adolescent Headache Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Habr D, Wolf Gianares B, Schuler KW, Chari D. Patients at the Heart of the Scientific Dialogue: An Industry Perspective. Oncol Ther 2023; 11:15-24. [PMID: 36705813 PMCID: PMC9881512 DOI: 10.1007/s40487-023-00220-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Pharmaceutical companies need to regularly communicate to patients all essential information about their medicines, especially data from the research studies that were conducted to evaluate the medicine’s benefits and risks. To do that, companies will need to make sure patients have access to and awareness of relevant information. This can be achieved by ensuring medical information is freely available to the reader, and working with publishers to facilitate open access (free) publications. Companies should also help improve patients’ understanding of medical terminology, offer simplified versions of scientific content, and deliver information through various formats (print versus digital, text versus audio versus video) to address different learning styles and literacy levels. This will empower patients with knowledge and improve shared decision-making. It will also be essential for pharmaceutical companies to involve patients in various stages of medicine development, such as getting their input on how the research studies for investigating these medicines are designed and reported to ensure relevant information to patients are well-captured and clear. This should also go in parallel with providing opportunities to elevate the patient voice through patient-partnered research and authorship on topics particularly relevant to them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dany Habr
- Pfizer Oncology, Pfizer Inc., 235 East 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10011, USA.
| | | | - Kristine W Schuler
- Pfizer Oncology, Pfizer Inc., 235 East 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10011, USA
| | - Dheepa Chari
- Pfizer Oncology, Pfizer Inc., 235 East 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10011, USA
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Rosenberg A, Walker J, Griffiths S, Jenkins R. Plain language summaries: Enabling increased diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in scholarly publishing. LEARNED PUBLISHING 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/leap.1524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Joanne Walker
- Publishing Department Becaris Publishing Ltd. Royston UK
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Tabernero J, Bowling TE, Rivers J, Chari D, Ghith J, Ferdinand R, Shanahan K, Shore ND. Improving access to oncology publications for advocates and people with cancer. Cancer 2022; 128:3757-3763. [PMID: 36098654 PMCID: PMC9826100 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Journal articles provide reliable and current information about cancer research. This can offer hope to people with cancer and help them make decisions about their care. Here, the authors suggest ways in which different groups may help people with cancer to find, view, and understand articles. For example, journals should make articles free to view if they describe research that could change patient care. Also, clear titles and easy-to-follow summaries or videos may help people to find relevant articles and understand the main findings. It is important to explore ways to best share research with all those whose lives it may affect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep Tabernero
- Vall d'Hebron Hospital Campus and Institute of Oncology, International Oncology Bureau‐Quiron, University of Vic‐Central University of CataloniaBarcelonaSpain
| | | | - Jamil Rivers
- METAvivor Research & SupportAnnapolisMarylandUSA
| | | | | | | | | | - Neal D. Shore
- Carolina Urologic Research CenterMyrtle BeachSouth CarolinaUSA
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Woolley KL, Rosenberg A, Halford C, Soldavin K, Smith R. Clarifications and corrections on PubMed's plain language summary requirements. Curr Med Res Opin 2022; 38:611-612. [PMID: 35166144 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2022.2042994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Karen L Woolley
- University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Australia
- Envision Pharma Group, Sydney, Australia
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Bruce IA, Ezgü FS, Kampmann C, Kenis V, Mackenzie W, Stevens B, Walker R, Hendriksz C. Addressing the need for patient-friendly medical communications: adaptation of the 2019 recommendations for the management of MPS VI and MPS IVA. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2022; 17:91. [PMID: 35236367 PMCID: PMC8889702 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-022-02219-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients are the most important stakeholders in the care of any disease and have an educational need to learn about their condition and the treatment they should receive. Considering this need for patient-focused materials, we present a directed approach for mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) VI and MPS IVA, a pair of rare, inherited diseases that affects multiple organs and parts of the body. Independent guidelines on the treatment of these diseases were recently published, providing evidence- and expertise-driven recommendations to optimize patient management. However, while healthcare providers may have the training and knowledge to understand these guidelines, patients and their caregivers can find the technical content challenging. Hence, we aimed to develop plain language summaries (PLS) of the MPS VI and MPS IVA guidelines with patients as the primary audience. RESULTS A review of the guidelines by an expert team identified six domains of information relevant to patients: The multidisciplinary team, regular tests and check-ups, disease-modifying and supportive treatments, general anesthetics, ear-nose-throat/respiratory care, and surgeries. This information was adapted into a series of infographics specific to either MPS VI or MPS IVA, designed to appeal to patients and clearly present information in a concise manner. CONCLUSIONS The use of patient-friendly materials, like the infographics we have developed, has the potential to better inform patients and engage them in their care. We issue a "call to arms" to the medical community for the development of similar PLS materials in rare diseases intended to inform and empower patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iain A Bruce
- Department of Paediatric Otolaryngology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester Academic Health Service (MAHSC), Manchester, UK
| | - Fatih S Ezgü
- Metabolism Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Christoph Kampmann
- Division of Cardiology, University Children's Hospital, Johannes Guterberg Universität, Mainz, Germany
| | - Vladimir Kenis
- Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Neuroorthopaedics and Skeletal Dysplasias, H. Turner National Medical Research Center for Children's Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - William Mackenzie
- Department of Orthopedics, Nemours/Alfred I, Dupont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware, USA
| | | | - Robert Walker
- Department of Paediatric Anaesthesia, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Christian Hendriksz
- Steve Biko Academic Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
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