Commenting on Plain Language Summaries

Article type
Authors
Struthers C1, Lyddiatt A2, McIlwain C3
1EQUATOR Network
2MSG/CCNet/SG
3Cochrane Consumer Co-ordinator, UK
Abstract
Objectives:
Consumers will have the opportunity to discuss the new plain language standards, and use them to develop their skills critiquing Plain Language Summaries (PLS) of Cochrane Reviews. A selection of real reviews will be used to guide participants through the process of becoming a consumer referee. The session will provide practical experience in providing constructive criticism for PLS.

Description:
The PLS is arguably the most visible and widely read part of a Cochrane Review. It is intended to be easily understandable by the general public, is freely available globally, frequently translated, and reproduced in the press and in health-related websites. For this reason a set of minimum standards were developed for PLS. This workshop will review the standards to ensure that consumer referees are familiar with the expectations for PLS content.