Use of plain language summaries in anaesthesia journals - Keane - Anaesthesia - Wiley Online Library

"Plain language summaries (also described as lay summaries) aim to make scientific research more accessible to a wider audience (including patients, caregivers and the general public) by describing research findings in clear, concise language that avoids technical jargon [1, 2]. Plain language summaries can enhance knowledge and understanding of research, increase participation in clinical trials and encourage patient engagement and involvement in research [2-4]. Summaries of proposed research written in language understood by the general public are a crucial component of most research grant applications and are mandatory for clinical trials conducted in European Union member states [5]. Plain language summaries have become increasingly popular in recent years as a means of improving the dissemination and understanding of research findings. Some anaesthesia journals now require authors to provide plain language summaries alongside their research articles. These summaries typically include information about the research question; methods used to answer the question; main findings of the study; and implications of those findings for clinical practice [2]. They typically consist of around 250 words that avoid technical jargon or complex statistical terminology [1, 2]. We aimed to determine the extent and characteristics of plain language summaries in high-ranking anaesthesia journals...."