February 10, 2025

In the evolving landscape of scientific communication, Plain Language Summaries (PLS) play a crucial role in making research more accessible to diverse audiences, including patients, healthcare professionals, and policymakers. Despite their growing importance, recent findings presented at the 2023 European Meeting of the International Society of Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP) suggest that PLS remain underutilized and often difficult to locate.

Ensuring the accessibility, visibility, and impact of PLS is essential for bridging the gap between scientific research and public understanding. While efforts are being made to integrate PLS into mainstream publishing, challenges in adoption, indexing, and engagement persist, limiting their effectiveness.

The Importance of Plain Language Summaries

Scientific research is often complex, making it difficult for non-specialists to grasp essential findings. PLS simplify scientific data, presenting it in an easy-to-understand format while maintaining accuracy. Many journals now recognize their value, with platforms such as PubMed and Figshare providing access to PLS. However, significant gaps remain in their availability and discoverability across the publishing landscape.

Current Challenges in PLS Publication and Visibility

A recent study analysing how journals and external platforms handle PLS highlighted key challenges:

  • Limited adoption by journals: Of 112 journals that accept PLS, 67% had not published a PLS in their 20 most recent articles.
  • Low integration in published articles: Among 2,240 articles reviewed, only 5.8% included a PLS.
  • Indexing gaps on PubMed: Nearly a quarter of articles failed to identify the presence of a PLS on PubMed, reducing discoverability.
  • Poor social media visibility: While 59% of full-text articles on Figshare had engagement metrics (e.g., shares on Twitter and Facebook), only 2% of the corresponding PLS had any engagement.

Strategies for Improving PLS Reach and Engagement

To maximize the impact of PLS and ensure they reach the intended audience, strategic dissemination approaches should be implemented. Regulatory compliance is also essential in enhancing credibility and accessibility. Key regulatory guidelines include:

  • EMA Guidelines on Lay Summaries (2017/2001): Ensuring clarity and accessibility for non-specialist audiences.
  • FDA Patient-Focused Drug Development (PFDD) Guidance: Supporting patient-centric communication in research summaries.
  • ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors) Recommendations: Standardizing the reporting of scientific findings in PLS.
  • GPP (Good Publication Practice) Guidelines: Promoting ethical and transparent publication practices.

Key Strategies for Enhancing PLS Visibility

  1. PLS Development & Scientific Writing: Creating clear, accurate, and regulatory-compliant research summaries to ensure consistency and reliability.
  2. Strategic Journal Selection: Identifying and prioritizing journals that actively accept and promote PLS for maximum reach.
  3. Enhanced Metadata & Indexing: Ensuring PLS are correctly tagged in PubMed, CrossRef, and other databases for improved discoverability.
  4. Regulatory Alignment & Compliance: Adhering to EMA, FDA, ICMJE, and GPP guidelines to enhance transparency and accessibility.
  5. Social media & Digital Promotion: Leveraging blogs, microsites, press releases, and social media campaigns to amplify PLS visibility.
  6. Cross-Publisher Collaboration: Encouraging the development of centralized PLS repositories to improve searchability across multiple journals.

Conclusion

Plain Language Summaries (PLS) are an essential tool in modern scientific publishing, bridging the communication gap between researchers and the broader public. However, significant challenges, including limited adoption, indexing gaps, and low digital engagement, continue to hinder their full potential.

A strategic approach is required to enhance the visibility of PLS. This includes thoughtful journal selection, metadata optimization, regulatory compliance, and digital promotion. Professional PLS development services can further support researchers and organizations in ensuring their findings are effectively communicated and widely accessible.

Maven specializes in developing high-quality, regulatory-compliant PLS, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and adherence to industry guidelines. Our expertise in scientific writing, metadata optimization, and digital dissemination helps maximize the reach and impact of PLS. By prioritizing scientific accuracy, regulatory compliance, and audience engagement, we empower researchers and organizations to make scientific knowledge more transparent and actionable for all stakeholders.