Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Improving Medical Research Communication: The Need for Structured Reporting

In this research article, I suggest adopting structured reporting formats similar to those used in clinical trial abstracts and manuscripts to address the challenges in medical research reporting by online news outlets. Implementing standardized inclusion criteria, such as background information, study methods, main results with statistical analyses, discussion of implications and limitations, and disclosure of conflicts of interest, could enhance the quality and transparency of medical research communication. Collaboration among journalists, news organizations, and medical researchers is crucial to establish and promote best practices, fostering informed public discourse on health topics and ultimately contributing to better health outcomes.

Citation: Heston TF. Critical Gaps in Medical Research Reporting by Online News Media. Cureus. 2024 Apr 2;16(4):e57457. doi: 10.7759/cureus.57457.