Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: In addition to conventional scientific abstracts, Cochrane Systematic Reviews have a Plain language summary (PLS), which is aimed towards the general public. The Cochrane PLSs are supposed to be clear, understandable and accessible, especially for the lay people in particular fields of medicine (non-professionals, patients etc.). It would be desirable to write PLSs in a standard format, and the Standards for the reporting of Plain Language Summaries in new Cochrane Intervention Reviews (PLEACS) should help in this.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze whether Cochrane PLSs adhere to the PLEACS standards.
Methods: A systematic analysis of adherence to the measurable PLEACS was performed for Cochrane PLSs published from March 2013 to the end of January 2015. Duplicate independent data extraction was performed. An adherence score was calculated for each PLS and for the Cochrane Review Groups (CRGs) that published them.
Results: Of the 1738 PLSs analyzed, not a single one adhered fully to the measured PLEACS items. The highest adherence was found for absence of complex statistical data (98% adherence), and the lowest adherence for an item mandating to address quality according to the GRADE system (0.7% adherence). Overall the adherence percentage of PLSs for reporting reviews with included studies was 57%. Different CRGs had a wide range of adherence scores.
Conclusions: Cochrane PLSs are highly heterogeneous with low adherence to the PLEACS standards. Although there are a number of review groups producing systematic reviews within Cochrane, a standardization of PLSs is necessary to ensure delivery of proper and consistent information for consumers.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze whether Cochrane PLSs adhere to the PLEACS standards.
Methods: A systematic analysis of adherence to the measurable PLEACS was performed for Cochrane PLSs published from March 2013 to the end of January 2015. Duplicate independent data extraction was performed. An adherence score was calculated for each PLS and for the Cochrane Review Groups (CRGs) that published them.
Results: Of the 1738 PLSs analyzed, not a single one adhered fully to the measured PLEACS items. The highest adherence was found for absence of complex statistical data (98% adherence), and the lowest adherence for an item mandating to address quality according to the GRADE system (0.7% adherence). Overall the adherence percentage of PLSs for reporting reviews with included studies was 57%. Different CRGs had a wide range of adherence scores.
Conclusions: Cochrane PLSs are highly heterogeneous with low adherence to the PLEACS standards. Although there are a number of review groups producing systematic reviews within Cochrane, a standardization of PLSs is necessary to ensure delivery of proper and consistent information for consumers.