Article type
Abstract
Background: Plain language summaries (PLS) are short summaries of peer-reviewed journal publications that are produced using non-technical and jargon-free language, to enhance easy accessibility and understanding of medical research among different audiences, especially non-scientific stakeholders. These audiences can include researchers, students, science communicators, policy makers, government officials, the media, and public. PLS are packaged and disseminated using different layouts including infographics, videos, podcasts, and interactive digital tools. South Africa has a diverse population with respect to language and culture which, together with its low-resourced setting, present a challenge in terms of access to medical research information among non-academic audiences.
Aims and objectives: The Plain Language Summary Project (PLaSP) study aims to develop an evidence-based intervention to increase accessibility to PLS so as to bridge the gap between medical research evidence and non-scientific audiences. Objectives include assessing best evidence of effectiveness of interventions increasing accessibility of PLS to non-scientific audiences and, thereafter, development of a set of locally applicable interventions.
Methods: A SR will be conducted using established methods; briefly, multiple databases will be searched for relevant articles, which will be independently screened by two reviewers, before data extraction is undertaken on studies meeting with the inclusion criteria. In addition to narrative summaries, where amenable, meta-analysis will be done to quantify the effect of the interventions. Critical appraisal and Grade will be applied as per standard protocols. Results from the review will be incorporated into the design of a locally-applicable intervention. A pilot study, utilizing a pre-test-post-test non-randomized (within-participant) design will assess the association between the intervention and change in knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs at two time points.
Anticipated Results: We anticipate that the results of this work will inform the development of PLS initiatives aimed at enhancing accessibility of PLS to a wide audience.
Conclusion: The PlaSP study will potentially address limited access to health information and illiteracy by assisting to bridge the gap between medical research scientists and non-scientific audiences, despite their settings or level of literacy.
Aims and objectives: The Plain Language Summary Project (PLaSP) study aims to develop an evidence-based intervention to increase accessibility to PLS so as to bridge the gap between medical research evidence and non-scientific audiences. Objectives include assessing best evidence of effectiveness of interventions increasing accessibility of PLS to non-scientific audiences and, thereafter, development of a set of locally applicable interventions.
Methods: A SR will be conducted using established methods; briefly, multiple databases will be searched for relevant articles, which will be independently screened by two reviewers, before data extraction is undertaken on studies meeting with the inclusion criteria. In addition to narrative summaries, where amenable, meta-analysis will be done to quantify the effect of the interventions. Critical appraisal and Grade will be applied as per standard protocols. Results from the review will be incorporated into the design of a locally-applicable intervention. A pilot study, utilizing a pre-test-post-test non-randomized (within-participant) design will assess the association between the intervention and change in knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs at two time points.
Anticipated Results: We anticipate that the results of this work will inform the development of PLS initiatives aimed at enhancing accessibility of PLS to a wide audience.
Conclusion: The PlaSP study will potentially address limited access to health information and illiteracy by assisting to bridge the gap between medical research scientists and non-scientific audiences, despite their settings or level of literacy.