Landscaping the terminology of accessible language document types - Volume 31, Issue

There are three main types of accessible language documents that medical writers and medical publications professionals may work on. These are regulatory lay summaries, publication-associated plain language summaries (PLS), and standalone plain…

Advancing health equity through language access – a global imperative - Volume 33, Issue

In this article, the authors outline the universal right to health, healthcare, and language access in healthcare, with a focus on policies and practices in the European Union and the United States. The authors spotlight contrasting views on whether…

AI language models are transforming the medical writing space – like it or not! - Volume 32, Issue

Whether you’re an early adopter, an occasional user, or yet to acknowledge its transformative potential, artificial intelligence (AI) – specifically generative AI applications underpinned by large language models – is undeniably shaping our present…

Publisher perspectives on plain language summaries of scientific publications: An Open Pharma survey - Volume 33, Issue

Plain language summaries (PLS) of scientific publications can help to make scientific literature more understandable. In healthcare, PLS can contribute to informed decision- making by healthcare professionals, patients, and their caregivers. In late …

How can we maximise patient engagement with Plain Language Summary of Publication articles (PLSPs)? A publisher’s perspective - Volume 33, Issue

Plain Language Summary of Publication articles (PLSPs) are aimed at non-specialist audiences, using non-technical/jargon-free and easy to understand language to provide summaries of publications. The introduction of PLSPs has added to the growing…

Plain language summaries of clinical trial results: What is their role, and should patients and AI be involved? - Volume 33, Issue

Plain language summaries (PLSs) of clinical trial results are vital tools in the clinical development process for enhancing transparency and encouraging and facilitating patient engagement. The production of a PLS is now mandated in the EU for all…

Inclusive language in medical texts and medical translation in French - Volume 33, Issue

In French, the grammatical rule of the generic masculine, known as neutral, reveals a patriarchal worldview. This article looks at the consequences of this way of writing in medical texts and in medical translation. It also gives suggestions on how…

Medical Writing in Chinese: Language-specific considerations for Chinese regulatory medical writers - Volume 33, Issue

Speaking your patients’ language – Is it really worth it? The impact of translation on multilingual patient education materials - Volume 33, Issue

This article discusses the role of translation and its impact on the success of patient education materials, particularly in the context of patient recruitment and retention for clinical trials. We examine how translation and localisation help…

Five “translation” strategies to adapt technical content for lay audiences - Volume 33, Issue

Writing for lay audiences requires language that is understandable by readers without expertise in the subject matter at hand. This means carefully selecting, organising, wording, and supporting content, focusing on conveying relevant points in a…