In recent years, medical communicators have been creating documents called plain language summaries (PLS) to help patients, caregivers, and the general public to better understand the latest scientific findings and clinical trial results.
The terms plain language summaries (PLS), plain language summaries (PLS) for clinical trials, plain language summaries for publication (PLSP), and plain language writing can be confusing — and are sometimes used interchangeably. Although each term has a different application, the documents share a single goal: to work toward inclusion and empowerment of nonexpert audiences.
Research has shown that using plain language communication increases patient health literacy. As health literacy improves, there is a positive correlation with better patient health outcomes.
Writing for these documents requires a specific skill set, knowledge of ethical concerns, awareness of clinical trial regulations, and a desire to improve health literacy.
What are the basic roles of plain language summaries?
Plain language summaries of publications (PLSP) — or lay summaries — are jargon-free descriptions of scholarly publications that can help increase the public’s understanding of research.
These days, most journals are requiring authors to submit plain language summaries. For example, Taylor & Francis Online publishes plain language summaries in several subject areas. The publisher’s Author Services site offers a handy guide called “How to write and publish a Plain Language Summary.”
Journals will indicate whether a PLS is required in their Instructions for Authors.
In a 2022 AMWA Journal article on plain language summaries, Thomas M. Schindler, PhD, writes, “There is a growing demand of patients and nonspecialists to understand the potential implications of clinical and medical research.” Nontechnical summaries can improve communication with patients, caregivers, and medical professionals. However, Schindler cautions that summaries must be created carefully with ethical principles in mind.
Schindler’s article offers insights based on the co-creation of a “How-To” Guide on PLS writing developed by the Patient Focused Medicines Development initiative. The how-to guide explores ways to fully inform patients and include them in communication about current scientific and medical developments. One of the key ways to do that is to offer materials they can understand. Those publications need to represent the data and implications of research fairly.
The how-to guide was created using a collaborative, multistep process that involved researchers, publishers, patient representatives, medical communication agencies, and public officials.
The how-to guide outlines seven steps for the co-creation of plain language summaries.
At this time in history, Americans’ trust in science is significantly lower than it was before the coronavirus pandemic. Plain language writing could help engage nonexperts and potentially slow the downward trend. Whether someone is creating a PLS, a PLS for clinical trials, or a PLSP, impact.science shares the following ethical guidelines.
Some excellent resources for writers creating plain language summaries are
Science does not exist in a vacuum. When scientific findings and data are only read and understood by experts, we miss valuable opportunities for expanding medical and scientific knowledge.
Plain language summaries are tools that researchers and medical communicators can use to make medical information more accessible, readable, and inclusive for more people.
AMWA gratefully acknowledges Anna S. Smith, MPH, BSN-RN, for peer review support for this blog, and Eva Stabenow, MA, MPH, for additional review.