LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Coincidence? Publications Expertise Boosts Publication Output Consistent with other academic departments that have provided their staff with support from a publications expert,1 Manring et al.2 observed a remarkable increase in publication output after providing access to a publications expert. For many, the apparent return on this investment may not be surprising, but, for far too many, this investment is never made. Why do we expect early (or even not-so-early) career researchers to know how to publish ethically, efficiently, and effectively if we don't teach them how? We know nonpublication of valid research is unethical, but we don’t do enough to address the problem of nonpublication.3 As recently reinforced in a systematic review, the main reasons for nonpublication are lack of time and resources.4 A publications expert can help researchers overcome these publication barriers. If department heads cannot prioritize funds to hire a full-time publications expert, they may consider contracting a publications expert to deliver regular mentoring and training sessions or medical writing support or both. Notably, manuscripts prepared with medical writing support are accepted for publication more quickly,5 are more compliant with quality reporting guidelines,6 and are less likely to be retracted for misconduct7 than those without medical writing support. Although Manring et al. stated that there was no certification in medical writing, your readers may be interested to know that there is a formal, psychometrically validated, international certification examination for publication experts (http://www.ismpp.org/overview). A medical writer who is a Certified Medical Publication Professional has to pass an examination on 150 topics related to ethical, efficient, and effective publication practices. There are now more than 700 Certified Medical Publication Professionals around the world ... and they don’t require a full-time departmental position to share their much-needed expertise with researchers.
Karen L. Woolley, PhD, CMPP University of Queensland, Brisbane Queensland, Australia b University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC Queensland, Australia c ProScribe Medical Communications, Noosaville Queensland, Australia a
REFERENCES 1. Breugelmans R, Barron JP. The role of in-house medical
communications centers in medical institutions in nonnative English-speaking countries. Chest. 2008;134(4): 883-885. 2. Manring MM, Panzo JA, Mayerson JL. A framework for
improving resident research participation and scholarly output. J Surg Educ. 2013 Available at: 〈http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.jsurg.2013.07.011〉. 3. Woolley KL, Gertel A, Hamilton C, Jacobs A, Snyder G
(GAPP). Poor compliance with reporting research results—we know it’s a problem … how do we fix it? Curr Med Res Opin. 2012;28(11):1857-1860. 4. Scherer RW, Ugarte-Gil C. Authors’ reasons for unpub-
lished research presented at biomedical conferences: a systematic review. 7th International Congress on Peer Review and Biomedical Publication; September 8-10, 2013; Chicago, USA. Available at: 〈http://www.peerre viewcongress.org/2013/Plenary-Session-Abstracts-9-9. pdf〉. 5. Bailey M. Science editing and its effect on manuscript
acceptance time. Am Med Writers Assoc J. 2011;26(4): 147-152. 6. Jacobs A. Adherence to the CONSORT guideline in
Disclosure: I conduct and publish research on ethical medical writing practices. I am actively involved in not-for-profit associations that educate members on ethical publication practices. I am paid to provide ethical medical writing training courses and services for not-for-profit and for-profit clients, particularly for those in the AsiaPacific region. * Correspondence: Inquiries to Karen L. Woolley, PhD, ProScribe Medical Communications, 18 Shipyard Circuit, Noosaville, Queensland 4566, Australia; fax: (754) 55-6331
papers written by professional medical writers. Med Writing. 2010;19(3):196-200. 7. Woolley KL, Lew RA, Stretton S, Ely JA, Bramich NJ,
Keys JR. Lack of involvement of medical writers and the pharmaceutical industry in publications retracted for misconduct: a systematic, controlled, retrospective study. Curr Med Res Opin. 2011;27(6):1175-1182.
Journal of Surgical Education & 2014 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by 1931-7204/$30.00 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsurg.2013.10.007
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Coincidence? Publications Expertise Boosts Publication Output Consistent with other academic departments that have provided their staff with support from a publications expert,1 Manring et al.2 observed a remarkable increase in publication output after providing access to a publications expert. For many, the apparent return on this investment may not be surprising, but, for far too many, this investment is never made. Why do we expect early (or even not-so-early) career researchers to know how to publish ethically, efficiently, and effectively if we don't teach them how? We know nonpublication of valid research is unethical, but we don’t do enough to address the problem of nonpublication.3 As recently reinforced in a systematic review, the main reasons for nonpublication are lack of time and resources.4 A publications expert can help researchers overcome these publication barriers. If department heads cannot prioritize funds to hire a full-time publications expert, they may consider contracting a publications expert to deliver regular mentoring and training sessions or medical writing support or both. Notably, manuscripts prepared with medical writing support are accepted for publication more quickly,5 are more compliant with quality reporting guidelines,6 and are less likely to be retracted for misconduct7 than those without medical writing support. Although Manring et al. stated that there was no certification in medical writing, your readers may be interested to know that there is a formal, psychometrically validated, international certification examination for publication experts (http://www.ismpp.org/overview). A medical writer who is a Certified Medical Publication Professional has to pass an examination on 150 topics related to ethical, efficient, and effective publication practices. There are now more than 700 Certified Medical Publication Professionals around the world ... and they don’t require a full-time departmental position to share their much-needed expertise with researchers.
Karen L. Woolley, PhD, CMPP University of Queensland, Brisbane Queensland, Australia b University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC Queensland, Australia c ProScribe Medical Communications, Noosaville Queensland, Australia a
REFERENCES 1. Breugelmans R, Barron JP. The role of in-house medical
communications centers in medical institutions in nonnative English-speaking countries. Chest. 2008;134(4): 883-885. 2. Manring MM, Panzo JA, Mayerson JL. A framework for
improving resident research participation and scholarly output. J Surg Educ. 2013 Available at: 〈http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.jsurg.2013.07.011〉. 3. Woolley KL, Gertel A, Hamilton C, Jacobs A, Snyder G
(GAPP). Poor compliance with reporting research results—we know it’s a problem … how do we fix it? Curr Med Res Opin. 2012;28(11):1857-1860. 4. Scherer RW, Ugarte-Gil C. Authors’ reasons for unpub-
lished research presented at biomedical conferences: a systematic review. 7th International Congress on Peer Review and Biomedical Publication; September 8-10, 2013; Chicago, USA. Available at: 〈http://www.peerre viewcongress.org/2013/Plenary-Session-Abstracts-9-9. pdf〉. 5. Bailey M. Science editing and its effect on manuscript
acceptance time. Am Med Writers Assoc J. 2011;26(4): 147-152. 6. Jacobs A. Adherence to the CONSORT guideline in
Disclosure: I conduct and publish research on ethical medical writing practices. I am actively involved in not-for-profit associations that educate members on ethical publication practices. I am paid to provide ethical medical writing training courses and services for not-for-profit and for-profit clients, particularly for those in the AsiaPacific region. * Correspondence: Inquiries to Karen L. Woolley, PhD, ProScribe Medical Communications, 18 Shipyard Circuit, Noosaville, Queensland 4566, Australia; fax: (754) 55-6331
papers written by professional medical writers. Med Writing. 2010;19(3):196-200. 7. Woolley KL, Lew RA, Stretton S, Ely JA, Bramich NJ,
Keys JR. Lack of involvement of medical writers and the pharmaceutical industry in publications retracted for misconduct: a systematic, controlled, retrospective study. Curr Med Res Opin. 2011;27(6):1175-1182.
Journal of Surgical Education & 2014 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by 1931-7204/$30.00 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsurg.2013.10.007
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