Category Archives: Publication Writing

Advancing Genitourinary Cancer Treatment: The Critical Role of Medical Communications Agencies in Clinical Trials and Data Dissemination

Introduction to Genitourinary Cancer Treatment

Genitourinary (GU) cancers—including prostate, bladder, kidney, and testicular cancers—represent a significant proportion of global cancer cases. In 2023, prostate cancer was the second most common cancer in men around the world. There were about 1.4 million new cases and around 375,000 deaths (Sung et al., 2021). Despite major advancements in oncology, effectively translating clinical research management findings into accessible and actionable knowledge remains a challenge for advancing Genitourinary Cancer Treatment in 2025.

Medical communications agencies, like Turacoz Group, are important for sharing complex clinical trial data by managing phases of clinical trials, conducting proper research management and journal publication submissions to help experts identify appropriate treatment for various types of Genitourinary cancers including prostate and bladder cancer treatment. The role of Medical Communication Agencies is to make sure this information reaches stakeholders, such as doctors, regulatory authorities, and patients. Their expertise in scientific writing, regulatory documentation, publication planning, and stakeholder engagement ensures that life-saving therapies and treatment reaches patients efficiently and ethically.

The Growing Burden of Genitourinary Cancers

The incidence of GU cancers continues to rise, necessitating innovative treatment approaches and effective management of clinical trial data:

  • Prostate Cancer is the most common genitourinary cancer. It has a 5-year survival rate of nearly 99% in localized cases treatment. However, this rate is much lower in metastatic disease treatment (Siegel et al., 2023).
  • Bladder Cancer: Characterized by high recurrence rates, requiring ongoing clinical trials to refine treatment strategies (Antoni et al., 2017). Bladder Cancer Tumour is curable if identified early with a cure rate of 95% of patients surviving 5 Years or more.
  • Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC): Accounts for 85% of kidney cancers, often diagnosed incidentally at advanced stages (Capitanio & Montorsi, 2016).
  • Testicular cancer is a rare type of cancer. However, it has a high cure rate of over 95% when found early (Ghazarian et al., 2017).

With immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeted therapies, and next-generation hormonal agents reshaping the treatment landscape, the role of strategic medical communications in clinical trial success and regulatory approvals is more important than ever especially for prostate cancer immunotherapy clinical trials.

The Role of Medical Communications Agencies in Clinical Trials

Medical communications agencies provide critical support to clinical trial programs management through the following functions:

1. Precision in Clinical Trial Management & Documentation

Regulatory authorities such as the FDA (United States), EMA (Europe), and PMDA (Japan) require well-structured documentation for investigational drug approvals. Agencies like Turacoz Healthcare Solutions excel in developing and managing:

✔ Clinical Study Reports (CSRs)

✔ Investigator Brochures (IBs)

✔ Regulatory Dossiers (NDA/BLA Submissions)

✔ Common Technical Document (CTD) Modules

For instance, the approval of Enfortumab Vedotin (EV) for Urothelial Carcinoma was backed by robust clinical data meticulously documented for regulatory review (Powles et al., 2021).

2. Scientific Publications and Medical Writing

Publication planning ensures that pivotal clinical trial results reach global audiences through:

✔ Manuscripts for High-Impact Journals (e.g., The Lancet, JCO, NEJM)

✔ Conference Abstracts and Presentations (ASCO, ESMO, AUA, SUO)

✔ Systematic Literature Reviews and Meta-Analyses

For example, medical communications experts strategically publish Phase III trial data on androgen receptor inhibitors (apalutamide, darolutamide) in prostate cancer to ensure timely and credible dissemination.

3. Key Opinion Leader (KOL) Engagement & Advisory Boards

KOLs shape clinical practice and treatment guidelines. Medical communications agencies facilitate:

✔ KOL-Led Webinars and Roundtable Discussions

✔ Advisory Board Meetings for Trial Design Optimization

✔ Medical Education Programs for Oncologists and Urologists

A notable example is the KEYNOTE-564 trial, which established pembrolizumab as an adjuvant therapy for RCC. Effective KOL engagement helped drive physician awareness and adoption (Choueiri et al., 2021).

4. Data Visualization and Infographic Creation

Communicating complex clinical trial data phases in a digestible, engaging, and compliant manner is critical. Turacoz specializes in:

✔ Infographics Summarizing Clinical Trial Outcomes

✔ Patient-Friendly Educational Materials including informative ppt, pdf and journals

✔ Interactive Data PPT Presentations for Conferences

For example, in the era of real-world evidence (RWE) studies, agencies translate large datasets into visually impactful decision-support tools for clinicians.

5. Medical Affairs & Market Access Support

Beyond publications, medical communications agencies enhance health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) by:

✔ Developing Value Dossiers and Reimbursement Submissions

✔ Creating Plain Language Summaries for Patient Advocacy Groups

✔ Facilitating Payer Engagement Strategies

For instance, the cost-effectiveness of nivolumab for bladder cancer played a crucial role in reimbursement decisions, highlighting the importance of structured HEOR communication (Sharma et al., 2021).

Genitourinary Cancer Treatment medical communication services for oncology, cancer treatment of bladder, prostate
medical communication services for oncology, cancer treatment of bladder, prostate

Partnering with Turacoz ensures that breakthrough innovations in genitourinary oncology are accurately communicated, accelerating regulatory approvals, clinician adoption, and improved patient outcomes.

Conclusion

The treatment landscape for genitourinary cancers is evolving rapidly, making expert medical communication strategies essential to bridge the gap between scientific breakthroughs and clinical practice. By partnering with a specialized agency like Turacoz, pharmaceutical companies can optimize clinical trial success, regulatory submissions, and market access—ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.

References (Fact-Checked & Credibility Verified)

  • Sung, H., Ferlay, J., Siegel, R. L., Laversanne, M., Soerjomataram, I., Jemal, A., & Bray, F. (2021). Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 71(3), 209-249. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21660
  • Siegel, R. L., Miller, K. D., & Jemal, A. (2023). Cancer statistics, 2023. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 73(1), 17-48. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21763
  • Antoni, S., Ferlay, J., Soerjomataram, I., Znaor, A., & Jemal, A. (2017). Bladder cancer incidence and mortality: A global overview and recent trends. European Urology, 71(1), 96-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2016.06.010
  • Capitanio, U., & Montorsi, F. (2016). Renal cancer. The Lancet, 387(10021), 894-906. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00046-X
  • Ghazarian, A. A., Trabert, B., Devesa, S. S., McGlynn, K. A., & Sakoda, L. C. (2017). Recent trends in the incidence of testicular germ cell tumors in the United States. Andrology, 5(1), 99-104. https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.12296
  • Powles, T., Rosenberg, J. E., & Sonpavde, G. (2021). Enfortumab vedotin in urothelial carcinoma. Nature Reviews Urology, 18(6), 357-358. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41585-021-00464-7

Choueiri, T. K., Powles, T., Burotto, M., & Escudier, B. (2021). Pembrolizumab as adjuvant therapy for renal-cell carcinoma. NEJM, 385(8), 683-694. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2106391

Visualizing Medical Data: Enhancing Understanding and Communication

In medical and scientific writing, effectively communicating complex information is vital to ensuring that research findings, clinical data, and patient outcomes are clearly understood. As data becomes more abundant, healthcare professionals and researchers are increasingly relying on data visualization as a key tool for simplifying complex datasets. For medical writers, data visualization can transform written content into visually engaging and informative material that enhances comprehension and decision-making.

The Importance of Data Visualization

  • Improved comprehension: Complex data is easier to interpret when presented visually, helping readers grasp key information faster.
  • Enhanced decision-making: Healthcare professionals can make more informed decisions when data is presented in a clear, concise manner.
  • Increased engagement: Visual content is more engaging and memorable, making the message more impactful.

How Data Visualization is Used in Healthcare

In healthcare, data visualization is used in various ways, from monitoring patient health to evaluating healthcare system performance. Medical writers often contribute to these processes by creating documents and reports that incorporate visual elements, helping different stakeholders—healthcare providers, researchers, and patients—make sense of the data.

  1. Patient Monitoring: In clinical settings, healthcare professionals use dashboards and visual reports to track patient health metrics in real-time. This allows for quick identification of abnormal trends, such as sudden spikes in heart rate or blood pressure, prompting timely interventions.
  2. Clinical Research: Data visualization is essential for presenting research findings, making it easier to communicate complex statistical data from clinical trials or population studies. Medical writers can use charts, graphs, and other visual elements to summarize results, allowing readers to quickly grasp significant findings and their implications.
  3. Public Health Initiatives: Public health authorities often rely on visual tools, such as heat maps and bar graphs, to track disease outbreaks, vaccination rates, or healthcare access. Visualizations help these agencies monitor trends, allocate resources efficiently, and educate the public.
  4. Decision Support Systems: Decision support tools that use visual analytics assist clinicians in selecting appropriate treatments, assessing risks, and predicting patient outcomes. Visual dashboards and algorithms can help professionals make quicker, evidence-based decisions.

For medical writers, understanding the role of visualization in healthcare allows them to craft content that aligns with the needs of healthcare providers and researchers while making complex data more accessible.

Infographics for Visualizing Medical Data

Infographics have become a powerful tool for medical writers to communicate data in a more engaging format. By combining visual elements like charts, icons, and text, infographics present data in a way that is easy to understand. This is particularly important in medical writing, where the audience can range from highly specialized clinicians to patients with limited medical knowledge.

For medical writers, infographics serve multiple purposes:

  • Patient Education: Infographics can break down medical information into clear, easy-to-follow steps, making it easier for patients to understand their condition, treatment options, or preventative measures.
  • Scientific Communication: In research articles or reports, medical writers can use infographics to highlight key findings, summarizing the most important data points in a visually appealing way.
  • Public Health Campaigns: Infographics are often used in public health messaging to inform the general population about important health issues, such as vaccination schedules, hygiene practices, or disease prevention.

Incorporating infographics into medical writing not only enhances clarity but also increases the likelihood that the content will be shared and referenced, broadening its reach and impact.

Posters in Hallways and Doctors’ Offices: A Thing of the Past?

For many years, posters in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and clinic hallways served as a primary way to communicate health information. However, in today’s digital age, static posters are being replaced by more dynamic and interactive forms of data visualization. Medical writers now can move beyond traditional posters and embrace digital communication tools, such as:

  • Interactive Screens: Digital displays in waiting rooms and hallways can present rotating information, such as patient education videos, real-time health statistics, or news updates. This digital shift offers more flexibility in updating content and engaging patients.
  • Online Platforms: With the rise of telemedicine and digital health apps, patients are accessing health information online. Medical writers can create interactive infographics, videos, and other digital content tailored to these platforms.

While posters may still have a role in certain settings, digital tools allow medical writers to create more dynamic, customizable content that can be easily updated and widely distributed.

Graphical Reports on Clinical Data and Performance

Medical writers play a crucial role in creating these reports, which often include:

  • Visual Performance Dashboards: Dashboards can track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as patient satisfaction, readmission rates, and average hospital stays. These visualizations allow healthcare administrators to monitor their institution’s performance and make informed decisions to improve services.
  • Patient Outcome Reports: Medical writers can use visual elements to create reports that summarize patient outcomes, such as treatment efficacy or recovery rates. These reports are useful for both clinicians and patients in assessing the success of a treatment plan.

By using graphical elements, medical writers can ensure that clinical reports are not only informative but also visually engaging, making it easier for healthcare professionals to absorb and act on the information.

How to Implement Data Visualization in the Healthcare Sector

Implementing data visualization in the healthcare sector requires careful planning and collaboration among various stakeholders. Medical writers can play a key role in this implementation by following these steps:

  1. Understand the Audience: Medical writers should tailor their visualizations based on the target audience, whether it’s clinicians, researchers, patients, or the public. Different audiences require different levels of complexity in their data presentations.
  2. Choose the Right Tools: There are numerous software tools available for creating data visualizations, including Tableau, Power BI, and Google Data Studio. Medical writers should be familiar with these tools to create effective, professional-grade visualizations.
  3. Simplify Complex Data: The goal of visualization is to make data easier to understand. Medical writers should avoid overloading their visuals with too much information and focus on highlighting the most critical data points.
  4. Ensure Accuracy: Data visualization must accurately represent the underlying data. Medical writers need to collaborate with data analysts and healthcare professionals to ensure that the visualizations are both accurate and informative.
  5. Regularly Update Content: Healthcare data is constantly changing, and medical writers should ensure that their visual content is regularly updated to reflect the latest information and trends.

Read More: Navigating Predatory Publishing in Medical Communications: A Comprehensive Guide

AI and the Future of Healthcare

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing healthcare, and data visualization is no exception. AI can process vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and present insights in visual formats that are easy to interpret. For medical writers, this means that AI-driven tools can assist in creating more sophisticated and predictive visualizations.

  1. Predictive Analytics: AI can analyze patient data to predict outcomes, such as the likelihood of disease progression or treatment success. Medical writers can incorporate these predictive models into their reports, helping clinicians make proactive decisions.
  2. Personalized Visualizations: AI can generate personalized visualizations based on individual patient data. For example, AI algorithms could create customized dashboards for patients to track their progress and understand their treatment plans.
  3. Streamlined Content Creation: AI-powered tools can help medical writers by automating parts of the content creation process, such as generating charts and graphs based on raw data inputs.

Conclusion

Data visualization is an indispensable tool in modern healthcare, offering a way to simplify complex data and communicate it effectively to a wide range of audiences. Medical writers, as key facilitators of healthcare communication, can harness the power of data visualization to enhance their content, making it more accessible, engaging, and impactful. As AI continues to shape the future of healthcare, the role of data visualization will only grow, creating exciting opportunities for medical writers to further improve how healthcare data is presented and understood.

Innovations in Scientific Publishing: Case Studies

The landscape of scientific publishing is transforming, driven by advances in technology, changes in business models, and the evolving needs of researchers, readers, and institutions. Traditional models, where scientific discoveries are disseminated in print journals, are being augmented—and in some cases, replaced by innovative practices that promise to make research more accessible, transparent, and interactive.

In this blog, we will explore key innovations in scientific publishing using real-world case studies to highlight how these changes have an impact. The focus is on collaborative platforms, interactive articles, and new business models that aim to address the limitations of traditional publishing.

  1. Collaborative Platforms: A New Era of Open Science

Collaborative platforms are transforming how research is conducted, shared, and evaluated. These platforms promote transparency and inclusivity, allowing scientists from around the globe to collaborate in real-time, access data more freely, and engage in open peer review. One example is F1000Research, a platform that has redefined how the scientific community shares and evaluates research.

Case Study: F1000Research

F1000Research is an open-access publishing platform in which researchers can submit their findings, datasets, and methods directly for immediate publication. What sets F1000Research apart from traditional journals is its approach to peer review. Instead of the pre-publication peer review process typically followed by academic journals, F1000Research employs post-publication peer review. This means that research is made available to the public and the scientific community without delays, and experts can assess and provide feedback on the content post-publication.

This model not only speeds up the dissemination of research but also fosters more open and constructive dialogue between authors and reviewers. Readers also benefit from having access to research as soon as it is submitted, which is especially valuable in fast-moving fields such as health and technology.

F1000Research also integrates collaborative features by allowing the inclusion of living articles that can be updated as new data emerges. This shifts the paradigm from static publications to dynamic, evolving pieces of scholarship.

Key Innovation

  • Open peer review: Promotes transparency and constructive feedback.
  • Living articles: Enable continuous updates and revisions aligned with the ever-evolving nature of scientific research.
  1. Interactive Articles: Enhancing Reader Engagement

The traditional static nature of scientific articles often limits their ability to communicate complex data effectively. With the advent of interactive articles, readers are now able to engage with research in meaningful and insightful ways. These articles often include dynamic elements such as embedded videos, datasets, or 3D models, enabling readers to explore findings in real time rather than just passively reading.

Case Study: The Elsevier Interactive Article

Elsevier, one of the largest academic publishers in the world, pioneered the development of interactive articles, particularly in fields that require complex data visualization, such as chemistry and biology. In collaboration with researchers, Elsevier created digital articles that allowed readers to explore datasets, simulations, and even molecular structures directly within the article.

For example, in a study on protein structures, the article allowed users to rotate 3D molecular models and explore different configurations of protein-binding sites. This interactive feature made it easier for readers to grasp the complexities of protein dynamics, something that would be difficult to understand through static images alone.

Moreover, interactive figures allow users to manipulate variables in datasets and immediately observe how changes affect the outcomes. This not only makes the research more engaging but also empowers readers to experiment with data and draw their conclusions.

Key Innovation

  • Interactive figures and models: Enhance comprehension and engagement by allowing real-time manipulation of data.
  • Multimedia integration: Incorporates video, audio, and 3D elements to enrich the reader’s experience and improve understanding.
  1. New Business Models: Breaking the Paywall

Traditional scientific publishing has long relied on subscription-based models, often limiting access to research on paywalls. However, a growing push towards open access has led to the development of new business models aimed at making research freely available to all. The transition to open access has been facilitated by initiatives such as Plan S and the rise of transformative agreements between universities and publishers.

Case Study: Plan S and PLOS ONE

Plan S, launched by a consortium of research funders in Europe, mandates that publicly funded research be published in open-access journals or platforms. This initiative has prompted a wave of changes in how scientific publishing operates, particularly by incentivizing publishers to transition from subscription models to fully open-access or hybrid models.

A successful example of open-access publishing is PLOS ONE, a multidisciplinary, open-access journal. PLOS ONE has gained prominence by charging authors a publication fee while making the research freely available to anyone. This model flips the traditional subscription-based revenue stream, making the cost borne by the authors rather than the readers or institutions.

The benefits of open access are clear: it allows for wider dissemination of knowledge, ensuring that research is not confined to those with access to expensive journal subscriptions. However, the model has also faced criticism for shifting the financial burden to researchers, particularly to those without sufficient funding. To address this, transformative agreements are emerging, in which institutions negotiate deals with publishers to cover open-access publication fees for their researchers.

Key Innovation

  • Author-pays model: Shifts financial responsibility from readers to researchers, facilitating open access.
  • Transformative agreements: Help institutions and publishers transition to open-access models while minimizing financial barriers.
  1. Preprint Servers: Speeding Up Knowledge Sharing

The preprint movement is another innovation that has gained momentum, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the rapid dissemination of research is crucial. Preprint servers allow researchers to share their findings before formal peer review, providing the global scientific community with access to cutting-edge research.

Read More: Strategies for Streamlining Scientific Publishing Services

Case Study: arXiv and bioRxiv

arXiv, launched in 1991, is one of the oldest and most widely used preprint servers, specializing in fields such as physics, computer science, and mathematics. Its success inspired the creation of bioRxiv, which serves the life science community. During the pandemic, bioRxiv saw an unprecedented surge in submissions, as researchers sought to rapidly share their findings with the world.

The preprint model allows for the fast dissemination of research, enabling real-time feedback and collaboration. However, this also raises concerns about the reliability of unreviewed findings, particularly when preprints are picked up by the media. However, preprint servers have become an integral part of the scientific publishing ecosystem, offering a balance between speed and rigorous peer review.

Key Innovation

  • Rapid dissemination: Researchers can share their findings immediately, thereby accelerating knowledge transfer.
  • Open feedback loops: Encourages early collaboration and feedback from the scientific community.
  1. Blockchain and Decentralized Peer Review: Ensuring Integrity

Blockchain technology is emerging as a tool to improve transparency and accountability in scientific publishing. By creating a decentralized system for tracking and verifying research, blockchain can help combat issues like plagiarism, data manipulation, and reviewer bias.

Case Study: ARTiFACTS

ARTiFACTS is a blockchain-based platform designed to improve the integrity of the research process. By recording each step of the research lifecycle, from data collection to peer review, on a blockchain, ARTiFACTS ensures that the research is transparent and traceable. This allows researchers to claim authorship over their work more securely and provides a verifiable chain of contributions.

Blockchain-based peer review is another innovation area. By decentralizing the peer review process, blockchain can make it more transparent, reduce the risk of bias, and increase trust in the system.

Key Innovation

  • Decentralized peer review: Enhances transparency and accountability in the peer review process.
  • Blockchain verification: Provides an immutable record of research activities, ensuring the integrity of the scientific process.

Conclusion

The innovations highlighted in this blog—collaborative platforms, interactive articles, open-access models, preprint servers, and blockchain technology—reshape the scientific publishing landscape. Enhancing transparency, improving accessibility, and fostering collaboration, these innovations promise to address some of the long-standing challenges in academic publishing.

At Turacoz, we are at the forefront of embracing these innovative trends in scientific publishing. Our team of experienced professionals is well-versed in leveraging collaborative platforms, creating interactive articles, and navigating new open-access models to enhance the impact and reach of your research. We understand the importance of rapid dissemination through preprint servers and the potential of blockchain technology to ensure research integrity. By choosing Turacoz, you gain a partner who can help you navigate this evolving landscape, ensuring your work benefits from the latest advancements in scientific communication while maintaining the highest standard of quality and ethics. Whether you need assistance with open peer review processes, creating dynamic content for interactive articles, or strategizing for open-access publication, we are here to support your academic publishing journey. Visit www.turacoz.com or contact us at [email protected] to discover how we can help elevate your research in today’s innovative publishing environment.

Medical Writing: A Promising Career for Freshers and Professionals Alike

Medical writing is an exciting and rapidly growing field that blends the expertise of healthcare professionals with the creativity of communicators. As the medical and pharmaceutical industries continue to expand globally, the demand for skilled medical writers is skyrocketing. For freshers entering this dynamic profession, medical writing offers a unique opportunity to combine scientific knowledge with strong writing skills to create impactful content that educates, informs, and influences healthcare professionals, patients, and the general public.

In this blog, we will explore why medical writing is an excellent career option, the essential skills required to succeed in this field, and how enrolling in a specialized course can provide a solid foundation for a successful career in medical writing.

The Growing Demand for Medical Writers

The healthcare industry is vast and multifaceted, encompassing pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, health services, and more. As new drugs, therapies, and technologies are developed, there is an increasing need for clear and accurate communication between researchers, healthcare providers, regulatory authorities, and patients. Medical writers play a crucial role in this communication by producing a wide range of documents, including clinical trial reports, regulatory submissions, promotional content, scientific publications, and patient education materials.

The demand for medical writers has surged in recent years, driven by factors such as:

  • Expanding Research and Development: As more pharmaceutical companies invest in research and development, there is a greater need for writers who can document clinical trials, draft regulatory submissions, and communicate scientific data effectively.
  • Increasing Regulatory Requirements: Regulatory authorities such as the FDA and EMA require detailed documentation for the approval of new drugs and medical devices. Medical writers help ensure that these documents meet regulatory standards.
  • Rising Importance of Healthcare Communication: Clear and accurate communication is essential for educating healthcare professionals and patients about new treatments, medical devices, and health practices. Medical writers are instrumental in crafting this communication.
  • Emerging Digital Health Technologies: The rise of digital health, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare has created new opportunities for medical writers to work on cutting-edge technologies and innovations.

Read More: Revolutionizing Medical Writing with AI and Automation

The Role of Medical Writers

Medical writers wear many hats and can work in various niches depending on their interests and expertise. Here are some of the common types of medical writers:

  • Regulatory Writers: These writers focus on creating documents required by regulatory authorities for the approval of drugs, biologics, and medical devices. This includes clinical study reports, investigator brochures, and regulatory submission documents.
  • Scientific Writers: These professionals specialize in writing research papers, review articles, and conference abstracts for publication in scientific journals. Their goal is to communicate complex scientific data clearly and concisely.
  • Medico-Marketing Writers: In this role, medical writers produce promotional materials such as brochures, websites, and presentations aimed at healthcare professionals and patients. They must balance scientific accuracy with persuasive messaging.
  • Patient Education Writers: These writers create materials that help patients understand their medical conditions, treatment options, and health management strategies. Their work is critical in promoting patient engagement and adherence to treatment plans.
  • Health Communication Writers: These writers develop content for public health campaigns, awareness programs, and social media. They focus on making health information accessible and understandable to the general public.

Essential Skills for Medical Writers

While a background in life sciences or healthcare is often beneficial, it is not the only requirement for becoming a successful medical writer. Here are some key skills that are essential for a career in medical writing:

  • Strong Writing Skills: Medical writers must be able to communicate complex scientific concepts clearly and concisely. They need to adapt their writing style to suit different audiences, from regulatory authorities to patients.
  • Attention to Detail: Accuracy is paramount in medical writing. Even small errors in a document can have significant consequences, especially in regulatory submissions or scientific publications.
  • Critical Thinking: Medical writers need to critically analyze scientific data and research findings to produce accurate and reliable content. They must also ensure their writing is evidence-based and supported by credible sources.
  • Project Management: Medical writers often work on multiple projects simultaneously, each with its own deadlines and requirements. Strong organizational and time management skills are crucial for meeting deadlines and producing high-quality work.
  • Collaboration and Communication: Medical writers frequently collaborate with researchers, clinicians, regulatory professionals, and other stakeholders. Effective communication and teamwork are essential for producing accurate and coherent documents.

The Importance of Specialized Medical Writing Courses

While some medical writers enter the field with a degree in life sciences or healthcare, specialized medical writing courses can provide a significant advantage, particularly for freshers and those transitioning from other fields. These courses offer structured learning, hands-on experience, and a comprehensive understanding of the different aspects of medical writing.

Here is why a specialized course can be the key to launching a successful career in medical writing:

  • Comprehensive Knowledge: A well-structured course provides a solid foundation in medical writing, covering essential topics such as clinical research, regulatory writing, scientific publications services, and ethical considerations. It helps freshers gain a deep understanding of the healthcare industry and the specific requirements of different types of medical writing.
  • Practical Experience: Many courses include practical assignments and projects that allow students to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios. This hands-on experience is invaluable for developing the skills needed to produce high-quality medical writing.
  • Understanding of Regulatory Requirements: One of the most challenging aspects of medical writing is navigating the complex regulatory landscape. Specialized courses provide detailed guidance on regulatory requirements, helping writers produce documents that meet the standards of agencies like the FDA, EMA, and other regulatory bodies.
  • Introduction to AI in Medical Writing: The integration of AI in medical writing is a game-changer. AI tools can streamline the writing process, analyze large datasets, and even assist in regulatory submissions. A specialized course that explores the role of AI in medical writing can give freshers a competitive edge by equipping them with knowledge of cutting-edge technologies that are shaping the future of the field.
  • Mentorship and Networking Opportunities: Many medical writing courses are taught by experienced professionals who have worked in the industry for years. Their insights and mentorship can provide valuable guidance as students navigate their careers. Additionally, these courses often offer networking opportunities, allowing students to connect with peers and industry experts.
  • Portfolio Development: A course can help students build a portfolio of writing samples that demonstrate their skills and expertise. Having a strong portfolio is essential for securing job opportunities in medical writing.
  • Career Support and Guidance: Many courses offer career support, including resume writing, interview preparation, and job placement assistance. This support can be especially helpful for freshers looking to break into the industry.

Conclusion

Medical writing is a rewarding and versatile career that offers opportunities across various domains, from regulatory writing to health communication. For freshers entering the field, a specialized medical writing course can provide the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to succeed in this dynamic profession.

As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, the demand for skilled medical writers will only increase. By enrolling in a comprehensive medical writing course, freshers can position themselves at the forefront of this exciting field, equipped with the expertise and tools to make a meaningful impact on healthcare communication.

 

Predictive Analytics in Medical Research: The Role of AI

In the rapidly evolving field of medical research, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought transformative changes. Among the various AI-driven technologies, predictive analytics has emerged as a crucial tool. By leveraging historical data, statistical algorithms, and machine learning techniques, predictive analytics can forecast future trends and outcomes with remarkable accuracy. For medical writers, understanding and utilizing predictive analytics can significantly enhance their work’s quality and impact, especially in medical communication.

The Evolution of Predictive Analytics in Medical Research

Predictive analytics in medical research is not a novel concept. Traditionally, researchers have used statistical methods to analyze data and make predictions. However, the advent of AI has revolutionized this process by enabling the analysis of vast datasets with greater speed and precision. AI-powered predictive analytics can identify patterns and correlations that might be missed by human analysis, thus offering deeper insights and more accurate predictions.

Key Components of Predictive Analytics

  1. Data Collection and Preparation: The foundation of predictive analytics lies in collecting high-quality data. This data can come from various sources, including electronic health records (EHRs), clinical trials, and real-world evidence (RWE). Preparing this data involves cleaning, normalizing, and structuring it to ensure it is suitable for analysis.
  2. Model Development: AI algorithms are trained on historical data to develop predictive models. These models can range from simple linear regression to complex neural networks, depending on the nature of the data and the prediction goals.
  3. Validation and Testing: Before deploying predictive models, they must be validated and tested to ensure their accuracy and reliability. This involves comparing the model’s predictions with actual outcomes to assess its performance.
  4. Deployment and Monitoring: Once validated, predictive models are deployed in real-world settings. Continuous monitoring is essential to ensure the model remains accurate over time, and adjustments may be needed based on new data.
  5. Integration with Clinical Workflows:
    1. API development for model deployment
    2. User interfaces for healthcare professionals
    3. Integration with existing health information systems
  6. Continuous Monitoring and Updating:
    1. Performance tracking over time
    2. Model retraining with new data
    3. Drift detection and handling
  7. Ethical and Regulatory Compliance:
    1. Ensuring patient privacy and data security
    2. Addressing bias and fairness in AI models
    3. Compliance with healthcare regulations (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR)
  8. Domain Expertise:
    1. Collaboration with medical professionals
    2. Incorporation of clinical guidelines and medical knowledge
    3. Validation of AI findings against established medical practices

The Role of Predictive Analytics in Medical Communication

Enhancing Clinical Trial Reporting

One of the most significant applications of predictive analytics in medical communication is in the reporting of clinical trials. Medical writers are often tasked with summarizing complex trial data and presenting it clearly and concisely. Predictive analytics can streamline this process by:

  1. Disease prediction and risk assessment: AI algorithms can analyze patient data to predict the likelihood of developing certain diseases or health conditions. This helps in early intervention and preventive care.
  2. Drug discovery and development: AI can accelerate the drug discovery process by analyzing vast amounts of molecular and clinical data to identify potential drug candidates and predict their efficacy and safety.
  3. Personalized treatment plans: By analyzing patient data, genetic information, and treatment outcomes, AI can help develop personalized treatment plans tailored to individual patients.
  4. Medical imaging analysis: AI algorithms can analyze medical images like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans to detect anomalies and assist in diagnosis, often catching details that human observers might miss.
  5. Clinical trial optimization: AI can help in patient selection for clinical trials, predict trial outcomes, and optimize trial designs, potentially reducing costs and time to market for new treatments.
  6. Electronic Health Record (EHR) analysis: AI can extract insights from large EHR datasets to identify patterns, predict patient outcomes, and suggest interventions.
  7. Epidemic prediction and management: AI models can analyze various data sources to predict disease outbreaks and help in resource allocation during epidemics.
  8. Biomarker discovery: AI can analyze complex biological data to identify new biomarkers for diseases, aiding in early detection and treatment monitoring.
  9. Healthcare resource allocation: Predictive models can help healthcare systems optimize resource allocation by forecasting patient admissions, length of stay, and required care.
  10. Precision medicine: AI supports the advancement of precision medicine by analyzing genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors to predict treatment responses.

Personalizing Patient Communication

Effective patient communication is crucial in medical practice, and predictive analytics can play a pivotal role in personalizing this communication. Medical writers can leverage predictive models to:

  1. Tailor Information Delivery: Predictive analytics can segment patients based on their medical history, preferences, and behaviors. This allows medical writers to tailor educational materials and communication strategies to meet the specific needs of different patient groups.
  2. Forecasting Patient Outcomes: By analyzing patient data, predictive models can forecast individual patient outcomes, such as disease progression or response to treatment. This information can be used to create personalized care plans and educational content that addresses the unique concerns of each patient.
  3. Improving Engagement: Predictive analytics can identify the most effective communication channels and formats for different patient demographics. This ensures that information is delivered in a manner that maximizes patient engagement and comprehension.

Advancing Publication Planning

In the realm of medical publication, predictive analytics can enhance the planning and execution of publication strategies. Medical writers can benefit from:

  1. Identifying High-Impact Research Areas: Predictive models can analyze trends in scientific literature and clinical research to identify emerging areas of interest. This helps medical writers focus on topics that are likely to have a significant impact on the field.
  2. Optimizing Submission Strategies: By analyzing historical publication data, predictive analytics can suggest the most appropriate journals and conferences for submitting research. This increases the likelihood of acceptance and maximizes the visibility of the work.
  3. Forecasting Citation Impact: Predictive models can estimate the potential citation impact of a publication based on various factors, such as the journal’s reputation and the relevance of the research topic. This information can guide strategic decisions in publication planning.

Challenges and Considerations

While the benefits of predictive analytics in medical research and communication are substantial, several challenges needs to be addressed:

  1. Data Quality and Integrity: The accuracy of predictive models depends heavily on the quality of the input data. Ensuring data integrity and addressing issues such as missing or biased data are critical.
  2. Ethical and Privacy Concerns: The use of patient data in predictive analytics raises ethical and privacy considerations. It is essential to implement robust data protection measures and adhere to ethical guidelines to maintain patient trust.
  3. Model Transparency and Interpretability: Complex AI models, such as deep learning algorithms, can sometimes function as “black boxes,” making it difficult to understand how they arrive at their predictions. Developing transparent and interpretable models is crucial for gaining the trust of stakeholders.
  4. Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Predictive models must be continuously updated with new data to maintain their accuracy. This requires ongoing investment in data collection, model development, and validation.

The Future of Predictive Analytics in Medical Communication

The integration of predictive analytics into medical research and communication is poised to grow as AI technologies advance. Staying abreast of these developments and acquiring the necessary skills to leverage predictive analytics will be essential for medical writers.

In the future, we can expect predictive analytics to become more sophisticated, offering even greater insights and more precise forecasts. This will enhance the ability of medical writers to communicate complex medical information effectively, ultimately improving patient care and advancing medical knowledge.

Predictive analytics, powered by AI, is transforming the landscape of medical research and communication. For medical writers, harnessing these technologies offers a unique opportunity to enhance the quality and impact of their work. By understanding and applying predictive analytics, medical writers can forecast trends, personalize patient communication, and optimize publication strategies, contributing to the advancement of medical science and patient care. As the field continues to evolve, embracing these tools will be crucial for staying at the forefront of medical communication.

Scholarly Publishing Dilemmas: Open Access versus Subscription Journals

In the rapidly changing domain of academic publishing, two distinct models have emerged as prominent pathways for disseminating research findings: open-access (OA) journals and traditional subscription-based journals. While both aim to advance knowledge, their approaches to accessibility, cost, and impact on the scholarly community diverge significantly, presenting a compelling dilemma for researchers and institutions alike.

  1. Accessibility

Open-Access Journals

These journals have revolutionized knowledge dissemination by making research freely available to anyone with an internet connection. This democratizes access to cutting-edge discoveries, allowing researchers from resource-constrained institutions, independent scholars, and practitioners in developing nations to engage with the latest findings without financial barriers.

  • Pros
    • Universal Access: The most significant advantage of OA journals is their universal accessibility. Researchers from institutions with limited resources, independent scholars, and practitioners in developing countries can access cutting-edge research without subscription costs.
    • Increased Visibility and Citations: Studies have shown that OA articles tend to be cited more frequently than those behind paywalls, likely due to their wider availability. This increased visibility can enhance the impact of the research and the reputation of the authors.
  • Cons
    • Quality Concerns: Some critics argue that the proliferation of predatory OA journals—publications that prioritize profit over rigorous peer review—can dilute the quality of available research. However, this is not a critique of the OA model itself but of inadequate regulation and oversight.
    • Sustainability: Ensuring the financial sustainability of OA journals can be challenging, as they rely on alternative funding models, such as author processing charges (APCs) or institutional support.

Subscription-Based Journals

These journals have long been the traditional route for scholarly publishing, associated with high-impact factors, rigorous peer review, and academic prestige.

  • Pros
    • Established Prestige: Many subscription-based journals have long histories and are often associated with high-impact factors, rigorous peer review, and academic prestige.
    • Financial Stability: These journals have a stable revenue stream from subscriptions, allowing them to invest in quality control, editorial staff, and other resources that maintain high publication standards.
  • Cons
    • Limited Access: The primary drawback is restricted access, which can limit the dissemination of knowledge. Researchers without access to well-funded institutional libraries may struggle to obtain necessary articles, hindering their work and perpetuating inequalities.
    • High Costs: Subscription fees can be prohibitively expensive for institutions, especially those in low- and middle-income countries. Additionally, the cost of individual articles for non-subscribers can be steep.
  1. Cost

Open-Access Journals

The OA model shifts the financial burden from readers to authors, institutions, or funders, typically through APCs, which vary widely in amount.

  • Pros
    • No Reader Fees: Articles are free to read, removing financial barriers to access.
    • Funding Support: Many institutions and funding bodies are increasingly supporting OA publishing by covering APCs, recognizing the broader dissemination benefits.
  • Cons
    • High APCs: The cost for authors can be significant, sometimes reaching thousands of dollars. This can be a barrier for researchers without substantial funding, particularly early-career researchers and those from less affluent institutions.
    • Inequality in Publication: The requirement for authors to pay APCs can create disparities in who can afford to publish, potentially biasing the literature toward well-funded researchers and institutions.

Subscription-Based Journals

The traditional model generates revenue through subscription fees paid by libraries, institutions, or individual subscribers.

  • Pros
    • Author Accessibility: Authors typically do not have to pay to publish, which can democratize the ability to disseminate research findings regardless of funding status.
    • Stable Revenue: The steady income from subscriptions supports the operational costs of journals, including rigorous peer review processes and editorial management.
  • Cons
  • Reader Fees: The high cost of subscriptions can restrict access to those affiliated with well-funded institutions, leaving many potential readers, especially in developing countries, without access.
  • Budget Strain: Increasing subscription fees have strained library budgets, forcing institutions to make tough decisions about which journals to subscribe to, potentially limiting access to a comprehensive range of literature.

  1. Impact on Research Dissemination

Open-Access Journals

These journals can significantly enhance the dissemination and impact of research by providing global access and facilitating faster engagement with findings.

  • Pros
  • Wider Dissemination: OA articles can be accessed by anyone globally, facilitating broader dissemination and engagement with the research.
  • Faster Impact: Immediate availability of research findings can accelerate scientific progress and allow for more timely application of research outcomes.
  • Cons
  • Perception Issues: Despite growing acceptance, some OA journals still face skepticism regarding their quality and impact compared to established subscription-based journals.

Subscription-Based Journals

These are highly respected and influential but face challenges in the digital age.

  • Pros
    • High Prestige: Many subscription-based journals are highly respected and influential within their fields, contributing significantly to the academic discourse.
    • Quality Assurance: These journals often have robust peer review processes, ensuring the publication of high-quality research.
  • Cons
  • Restricted Dissemination: Paywalls limit the audience, which can slow down the dissemination and application of research findings.
  • Delayed Access: Embargo periods can delay public access to research findings, which can be particularly problematic in fast-moving fields.

The choice between OA and subscription-based journals is not a clear-cut one; each has distinct advantages and drawbacks. OA journals democratize access to knowledge, potentially increasing the visibility and impact of research, but they often require significant financial contributions from authors. Subscription-based journals maintain high standards and stable financial models but restrict access to those who can afford subscription fees.

The future of academic publishing may lie in hybrid models that incorporate the strengths of both systems. Initiatives such as transformative agreements, which shift the cost burden from readers to funders and institutions while maintaining rigorous peer review standards, represent promising developments. Ultimately, the goal should be to maximize the dissemination and impact of research while ensuring sustainability and equity in the publishing process.

At Turacoz Healthcare Solutions, we understand the intricate landscape of academic publishing, especially the dynamics surrounding scholarly journals. Our commitment is to empower researchers in navigating these complexities effectively, ensuring their research achieves maximum visibility and impact. We offer a comprehensive range of specialized services tailored to enhance scholarly work, including expert guidance on crafting detailed manuscripts, developing rigorous theses, and authoring book chapters with meticulous writing and editing support. Our personalized academic assistance extends to navigating the nuances of both open-access and subscription-based journal models, enabling strategic decisions that optimize publication outcomes. Partner with Turacoz Healthcare Solutions to elevate your academic contributions and expand your reach to a global audience. Visit www.turacoz.com to discover how we can enhance your research impact in the digital era.

Talking Science with Laymen – Future of Scientific Communication

Not explaining science seems to me perverse. When you are in love you want to tell the world.” – Carl Sagan

From the corridors of laboratories, science has found its way to our mobile screens. Digital media and social apps have pulverized the boundaries between a published paper and the public. Today a scientist can communicate and share his progress with everyone on the planet irrespective of his background. During the pandemic, Twitter brought an evolution in the minds of people about research and science. Twitter allowed global communication between scientists on a scale never experienced before. The way to see progress in science has become a routine even for people who are not from a medical background. Social media changed the meaning and trends of scientific communication forever.

Unlearning the old rules

From Publish-or-Perish theory to Post-your-Publication concept, science has come a long way. Scientists and doctors are using common social media platform (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) to blog and post about new advancements. Pharmaceutical companies are forming patient advocacy groups to engage more lay audiences and connect with them. These small changes have brought in the quintessential butterfly effect to the way documentation is done these days. New types of documents like Lay summaries, etc. are bringing in considerable shift in the paradigm of scientific publications.

A look over perks

Walking behind time is not a wise decision. The present is expecting direct communication with lay audience and scientists outside the field. The traditional methods of publishing and communication only target people related to the field but with social media at our fingertips, scientific communication can reach everywhere, be it a patient or a student, a medical writer or a businessman. A few of various advantages of choosing social media:

  • Boosting professional profiles
  • Making science accessible
  • Rise in NSF Fundings
  • Educating patients and young doctors
  • Reaching the audience across the globe
  • Higher citations in coming years
  • Communicating and connecting can help in the development of medications and treatment.
  • Networking and marketing
  • If misinformed people are there spreading incomplete knowledge, then authorized documents must be there to correct the wrong guidelines.

Checklist before sharing on social media

Medical content is something that people trust and apply in their daily life, like dosage of a particular drug, mode of action, side effects, etc. Something that seems obvious to you can be a fact for your audience. So, put your words in right frame.

Here are some tips to improve your draft:

  1. Address real-life issues which can change the behavior of readers like smoking, dietary habits, etc. Use standard details and facts.
  2. Plan according to your goals and targets; be sure of what you expect out of it, like media coverage, collaboration, feedback, visibility for your research, or citations for your papers.
  3. Make your audience feel like part of your research. Tell stories and use fiction to spread your message.
  4. Keep yourself aware of how scientific communication will be interpreted by others and the media.
  5. Presentation and design – the question and answers format can usually not go wrong and make sure that language is clear and comprehendible to a layman.
  6. Images and graphs can create the big picture in front of an audience. So, provide visuals using graphics and statistics.
  7. Convert results and conclusions of research in pdfs for better understanding.
  8. The power in your words depends upon the trust of your readers. Use it wisely and with ethical standards.
  9. Spark the curiosity in the audience by talking about the scientific process. Talk about the conclusion, future and answers the questions occurring in your reader’s mind.
  10. Don’t use jargon and scientific terminologies. If you are using one, then explain it properly in clear terms. Abbreviations and acronyms will not make sense to a broader audience.

With more people getting involved in the progress of research and healthcare, scientific communication is becoming an influential part. The revolution in the publication field has arrived and the way to connect with people is changing with a distance of a click. Scientific communication and publishing make science an important section of society. To protect the thread of trust between people and the research world, the rules and guidelines are also expanding. To learn more about the new documents and guidelines visit https://turacoz.com/Scientific-Writing-Course/ Tell the world about all your discoveries and learnings because there are millions of science geeks waiting to read and learn.

Lay Summary – A New Phase of Publication

“What is the side effect of paracetamol? Why can’t my kid get vaccinated? Which vaccine is more effective?” The patients and worried parents are looking all over on internet to treasure trove the answers to these questions. In such a scenario and many of its likes, Google becomes the go-to database for information, but it unfortunately leads to misinformation, misdiagnosis, spurious remedies, all heading to graver damage to health. And hence it becomes imperative to verify any scientific information from authentic databases and validated documents.

In an era of Covid, when every message, blog, news piece, article, all and sundry were talking about it, there was clearly a realization amongst the more aware ones, to lean on more scientifically accurate information. And it urged them to grab published articles for perusal. But the language and terminology of these documents made it arduous for them to comprehend and find what they were looking for. This informed curiosity and interest of laymen towards learning scientific facts and guidelines encouraged Patient Lay Summaries to find their place in the world of Publication and Research.

Patient Lay Summary Explained

Lay Summary is an abstract-like content or summary where complex scientific/medical/clinical information from published research articles is represented in a lucid way to cater to an audience who may or may not have any subject knowledge or scientific background. The difficult terms and methods are made easier to understand and implement and ensure that correct information goes to the reader. According to EMA, all clinical studies need to have a lay summary and should be prepared within one year.

Call for Lay Summary

The main aim of a lay summary is to answer questions of the public regarding studies or research. The basic need of lay summary is awareness to the widest possible audience. If the correct information reaches people in their own language, they can relate to it. This will increase the quality of medical research as patients will be encouraged to contribute and be partners in decision making. Talking about risk management of medicine and trials, these documents provided transparency and a clear vision to the public and are highly appreciated by patient advocacy groups. A lay summary is not only beneficial for the public but also for researchers as a way to take their work out of the room of the scientific fraternity and reach a broader generic audience. A brilliant chance to go out of the box and get attention!

But these documents are themselves a dare to write and this dare is given to medical writers.

Writing for Lay

The medical writers hold the responsibility of informing and educating patients in a way that can alter their decisions. Words can direct a reader on the journey of good health and wise choices. But how to find a midway between writing a The medical writers hold the responsibility of informing and educating patients in a way that can alter their decisions. Words can direct a reader on the journey of good health and wise choices. But how to find a midway between writing a simple and educational document? Try to seat yourself in the mind of a patient and imagine what he or she needs to learn.

Here are some key points you need to follow while drafting

  • A good Lay summary should be able to answer questions like:
  1. What was the study about?
  2. Who Participated in the study?
  3. What were the main results?
  4. Detail about the side effects etc.
  • Writer can use words or terminologies which are more homespun to patients like using brand names and not the salts.
  • Use of infographics, charts, tables, and graphs to make the data more understandable as the images will easily attract them and look at more key facts.
  • Lay summary will be a map for the patients and decide what to choose or not. So, the data and details should be relevant and not just a random collection of facts.
  • Patients are reading something to find -what after that? So, don’t forget to explain the impact of your research or review.
  • Specialized language, jargon should be avoided as it will only confuse the reader.
  • Start using the first person in your sentence formation as if you are conversing with a reader like ‘we decided’ and not ‘that was decided’.
  • A well-written lay summary should be published in a way that there should not be any wall between your work and readers. From social media to sponsor’s website, where all to publish this new type of publication document, should be on your list. To know more visit https://lnkd.in/dQuHWhHH

Down the Road

In a world where every piece of information is one click away, documents like lay summaries are catching momentum; it is the new face of Publication. According to surveys and reports, maximum internet searches encompass health-related guidance. Thereby, it is the need of hours to provide correct, complete and accurate educational information to patients. Social media plays a crucial role in transporting whatever comes in front, right or wrong and medical-writers are in a way, guards of true and authorized knowledge. In the coming years, publication will be all about reaching every corner and a lay summary is not just a right of patients but also the only route to read the right.

Why was my manuscript rejected? – Talking about 5 most common reasons for rejection in journals

“We are sorry to inform you that your submission is rejected”- This is something you never want to hear or read but this is most often experienced. These words are disheartening. When we start research, it becomes a dream to see that work turning into pages of a journal. But after so much hard work and research what is something that we lack? This blog will unlock your mysteries and let you know the reasons behind that NO, that rejection. Let’s find out what goes wrong and what one should do.

  1. Technical Screening turning into a failure

The first problem can be in your basic check. From plagiarism to figures, something has gone wrong. In technical Screening, manuscript is rejected if: –

  • There is some issue with language
  • Imprecise hypothesis  
  • Main titles, references, list of authors etc. crucial elements are missing
  • There is no proper conclusion
  • Flaws in study design

2. Deviation from aim and outlook of journal

The biggest and smallest mistake we can do is not finding the perfect journal. Before sending your submission, one must know what the aim and scope of the journal is. If your manuscript is not adding any value to the journal, they will reject it. To learn how to find where to publish and how to find that right key visit https://lnkd.in/drKKnPHe

3. Do not Put your feet in two boats

Journals usually mention that if your work is under review at some other place then they will not consider it. So, do not submit your work at two journals, you might sink. Find the journal interested in your research and focus in one direction.

4. Format it before sending

Journals have their own writing style, their way of transforming the manuscript. It begins from font size, font style and can never end because definitive amount of margin is also essential for a journal. So, it is especially important to meet the standards set by a journal and follow the instructions about guidelines.

5. Finding Originality and Significance

If your submission is extension or another version of some research paper, you have high chances of getting a NO. If the journal does not find any significance in what you are trying to convey then also your submission is rejected.

Take Away Points

For the buds of researching world, it is challenging to get their manuscript accepted. But if you know the secrets and tips to the road, this world is welcoming. The world of publishing and medical writing is a place where you need to know what, why and where. Planning matters here.

To turn the “NO” into “YES”, Turacoz is conducting a webinar on Publishing Planning, and this is your chance to track https://lnkd.in/drKKnPHe

References:

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3035881/
  2. https://www.elsevier.com/connect/8-reasons-i-rejected-your-article

Biosimilars: Advantages & Challenges

Introduction

A biosimilar product, as defined by USFDA, is “a biological product that is highly similar to and has no clinically meaningful differences from an existing FDA-approved reference product.” By 2020, the biosimilar market is expected to reach $15 billion booming market, which is thrice the presentmarket(Ragunadhan 2018).Latest additions to this category of drugs are Hadlima(adalimumab-bwwd), Ruxience (rituximab-pvvr), Zirabev (bevacizumab-bvzr) and Kanjinti (trastuzumab-anns), which were approved on June, 2019(USFDA).

Advantages of Biosimilars

Biosimilars are nowadays gaining significant interest due to the advantages associated with it. They are as follows(Ragunadhan 2018)

  1. Reduction in cost:Biosimilar drugs are similar to original drugs, produce equivalent clinical outcomes to that of the original biologics but are less expensive (because their development is not associated with some of the costs borne by pharmaceutical companies in the development of reference agents).The reference drug monopoly is broken when multiple biosimilars are introduced in the market.
  2. Improved patient accessibility: As a number of biosimilar drugs are being launched in the market, and biosimilar drugs are found to reduce the healthcare cost by 40%, more patients can have access tosuch medical innovations at an early stage.
  3. Incentives for innovation:In the wake of expiring patents on reference drugs, innovative and patentable new biologic products may be necessary to maintain a large market share. This will encourage the pharmaceutical companies to invest more to foster innovation in biosimilar drugs.

Challenges of Biosimilars

Despite the benefits, there are few challenges and issues faced by biosimilar market which are as follows(Ragunadhan 2018, Stenger 2018)

Figure 1: Challenges of Biosimilars

Figure 1: Challenges of Biosimilars

  1. Education:Mass education is required in healthcare and pharmaceutical industry/patient and prescriber to enlighten them on the benefits of switching to biosimilars.
  2. Extrapolation issue:“Extrapolation is the process of granting a clinical indication to a medication without its own or new clinical safety and efficacy studies to support that indication”. Guidelines need to be developed to avoid confusion over whether the biosimilar can be used for the off-labelindications also.
  3. Interchangeability issues:Interchangeability issues ariseas the reference product can be substituted with biosimilar. Though guidelines have been published, there is uncertainty prevalent at the prescriber and pharmacist level.
  4. Rare diseases:Orphan drugs are developed for rare diseases. Though biosimilars are developed for the same, but there are many obstacles. It is a challenge to obtain sufficient  non-heterogeneous population for trials. Also, the cost for developing biosimilars to run batch-to-batch variability studiesis high.
  5. Approval process:Common challenges faced by biosimilar manufacturers in processing and packaging are the variability in critical quality attributes between the biosimilar drug and the reference drug which requires manufacturer to provide the FDA with adequate proof of clinical safety.
  6. Post-marketing reporting: As there is no clinical data available, post marketing surveillance is the only tool available to assess the efficacy and safety of biosimilars. However, as the post marketing surveillance process is a herculean task as felt by clinicians, many do not participate in the samedue to time and resource constraints.

Future of biosimilars

There will be a giant leap in biosimilar market in the coming decades(Ragunadhan 2018). As the reference products are nearing their expiry date, the biosimilars market is poised for added growth. Also, it is essential for the professional organizations to provide education and training about biosimilar drugs. This would spread awareness among consumers and healthcare professionals about opportunities and the challenges that these new agents are associated with.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions, being an active provider of medical communication services, aims to inform people about the advantages and challenges of biosimilars. For any queries, write to us at [email protected]

References

Ragunadhan, M. (2018). Biosimilars: Benefits, Challenges and Futurehttps://blog.kolabtree.com/biosimilars-benefits-challenges-and-future/.
Stenger, M. (2018). “Opportunities, Issues, and Challenges for Biosimilars in Oncology.”  https://www.ascopost.com/issues/july-25-2018/opportunities-issues-and-challenges-for-biosimilars-in-oncology/.
USFDA “Biosimilar Product Information.”

INNOVATIONS IN PEER-REVIEW

Peer Review is the process of evaluation of manuscripts submitted for scientific publication in journals/books, pre-clinical or clinical study reports, research progress reports etc., by experts or peers with similar competence as manuscript authors. It plays a pivotal role in scholarly publications with objective to ascertain quality, reliability and credibility of the work reported in the manuscripts and reports through qualitative scrutiny. This contributes to the acceptability of scientific work as authentic, rigorous and coherent for the intended purpose. Also, it widens networking opportunities within the scientific fraternity.

Types of Peer Review

  • Single blind review: This is the traditional and most common type of review in which the reviewer’s name is hidden from the author.
  • Double-blind review: In this kind of review, there is anonymity of both the author and the reviewer to each other.
  • Open review: The identity of the author and the reviewer are known to each other and there is more transparent communication during the review process.

Peer-review is a golden practice to improve the quality of publications but comes with its own set of disadvantages and shortcomings. Table 1 details the various featural pros and cons of different types of peer-review.

Table 1 Advantages and Disadvantages of Peer-Reviewing [1]

Ethics of Peer Review

As the reviewing experts are essentially from the same area or field of the study as of the authors of documents under review, some conflict of interests or differences in viewpoints may introduce bias that might come in the way of a fair peer review. For instance, a reviewer may not accept the manuscript/report under review if the author’s hypothesis is different from that of the reviewer. Indeed, many journals take this possibility into account and allow the authors submitting manuscripts to give the name(s) of reviewers to whom the manuscript should not be sent for review in addition to names of reviewers the authors would like to recommend. But then, peer review by reviewers recommended by the authors may also occasionally lead to undeservingly favored evaluation.

To avoid undesirable contentions, it is a prerogative for a peer-reviewer to adhere to ethical guidelines outlined by the Committee of Publication Ethics (COPE), which categorises the ethical responsibility of a peer-review into confidentiality of the data reviewed, objectivity of the review process and diligence towards their competency, following processes, policies and conduct [6].

A few ethical practices that should be incorporated in peer-reviewing are as follows:

  • Maintaining objectivity and diligence in assessing a document
  • Avoiding any favoritism or likewise, negative bias
  • Respecting confidentiality of the manuscript
  • Avoiding giving any personal or derogatory remarks
  • Refraining from disrespectful tone of criticism
  • Maintaining timeliness
  • Adhering to the rationales, norms, policies and specific scope of the journal
  • Promptly reporting any unethical duplication or data fabrication/design
  • Staying discrete from the author during the review process to avoid any unwanted confrontation

Essential Components of Peer-Reviewing

Studies conducted by scientists/experts/professional are rendered into a detailed article or manuscript, a draft of which is then sent to the journal editor. The article is sent by the journal editor to peer reviewers before publication. The reviewers then assess the manuscript and extend their comments focusing on the following aspects:

  • Adequacy of the background information (literature survey) justifying the necessity and purpose of the study reported
  • Appropriateness and adequacy of the materials and methods employed to generate the data
  • Compliance to national and international regulatory requirements [e.g. Good Laboratory/Manufacturing/Clinical Practices (GLP/GMP/GCP), Animal ethics, OECD/ICH/USFDA guidelines etc.]
  • Analysis of data using appropriate (statistical) methods
  • Proper interpretation and discussion of the data/results and the conclusions drawn.
  • Originality of the study
  • Presentation of the manuscript relying on legible and comprehendible language that is grammatically, technically and scientifically correct

Innovations in Peer Review

Any advancement or innovation in a process primarily requires recognition of the prevalent roadblocks. “Necessity is the mother of invention”, Plato’s misattributed proverb reflects the rationale of some compelling advancements that peer-reviewing attributes to the share of challenges it had faced.” Addressing some fundamental conundrums, there are many driven groups across the scientific fraternity who have offer valuable innovative answers.

  • Raising the satisfaction quotient of the author-reviewer-editor trilogy by ‘Volunpeers’

Lack of familiarity with the subject matter causes many reviewers to decline from reviewing. To overcome this challenge, the journal of Molecular biology enabled a Reviewer Recognition Platform, that facilitates reviewers, christened as Volunpeers (to represent the rationale of this platform), to register for their area of expertise and receive manuscripts for reviewing according to their preference. The outcome of this platform was impressive! It proudly flaunted a high rate of involvement and satisfaction from both the reviewer and the editor and establishes a faith that peer reviewing indeed has not reached an intimidating stagnancy. Figure 1 indicates the promisingly positive impacts of Volunpeer-ing on various critical aspects [2].

Figure 1: Impact of Peer-Reviewing through the Reviewer Recognition Platform ‘Volunpeer’
  • Expediting the process of review and making it less cumbersome and time‑consuming

The dichotomy of time versus quality lead many to attempt to address long and tiresome process of reviewing. Recently, The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (JBJS) has initiated below mentioned tiny steps to upgrade their overall peer-review process [3].

  • Automated and weekly reminder emails to editors
  • Weekly reminder emails for editor queue statistics
  • Monthly emails delineating acceptance rates and transfer rates by editor
  • Shortened deadlines for peer-reviewing
  • Addition of manuscript Xtract in Editorial Manager that reduces manual entry for basic data like manuscript title, author-names, abstract and affiliations
  • Refining the review process by spotting errors and maintaining quality standards of review

The quality of any manuscript proportions directly to the errors established during review and editing process. A keen study conducted on ‘Improving the peer-review process and editorial quality by studying key errors escaping the review and editorial process in top scientific journals [4]. Figure 1 shows the common trend of errors encountered during review.

Figure 1: Proportion and types of errors during review/editing process [4]

The recognition of these error-patterns led to the application of a novel mistake index, independent of the journal’s impact factor. Mistake Index Total (MIT) represented the fraction of corrections published by total number of items published in a year and Mistake Index Paper (MIP) represented the fraction of corrections published by the total number of papers (categorised by articles) published in a year. These were then statistically analysed and applied on scientific journals of diverse disciplines to determine the type, rate of occurrence and severity of errors encountered. It is hence recommended that a detailed guideline based upon MIT and MIP be provided to reviewers, authors and editors, which can help them minimise error redundancy, reduce time-to-correction and reinforce quality of published manuscripts [4].

  • Ensuring recruitment of competent reviewers and providing visibility, value and appreciation for their efforts by R-index

On a more humane level, getting good reviewers and providing visibility, value and appreciation for their efforts stays a huge contributing factor to optimising the quality and efficiency of peer-review. Lack of recognition of time and valuable expertise of the reviewer often is a big dampener for review quality. A simple yet cutting-edge R-index (Reviewer index), has emerged as an essential metric to quantify and credit a scientist’s contribution as a reviewer, regardless of his/her stage of career. Based on the list of reviewers for any particular journal, number of papers reviewed, total number of words against the journal’s impact factor, and eventually fostered by the editor’s feedback on individual review, a score ranging from 0 to 1 is credited to the reviewers. Widely being accepted and implemented, this index is open doors to a wider academic productivity and increased transparency within the scientific community and works reciprocally towards maintaining and enhancing the quality of reviewing [5].

Conclusion

With a fair share of recognition as well as criticism that it comes with, peer-review is undoubtedly an essential component of the publication world. Although an overall positive impact and effectiveness of peer review mechanism to improve upon quality in biomedical journals has been observed in clinical trial and other comparative study publications, it is still difficult to ascertain its tangible impact, considering the aforesaid challenges [7]. Nevertheless, the brighter side shows that the existing peer-review paradigm is inevitably treading towards innovations; profoundly embedded into the process of scientific progress, its indispensable purpose gives reasons enough to boost its operations and we hope to witness more streamlining, transparency, efficiency, robustness and inventive tableaus in its modus operandi.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions aims to provide information on the latest trends, updates and advances to help researchers stay abreast of important innovations in peer-review in the field of scientific publications. Turacoz Healthcare provides an end-to-end support for scientific communications, clinical trial documents and disclosures, regulatory documents writing and submissions, and medico-marketing writing along with e-modules & e-books on healthcare and research.

Reference

  1. https://www.elsevier.com/en-in/reviewers/what-is-peer-review
  2. https://www.elsevier.com/connect/reviewers-update/innovation-in-peer-review-introducing-volunpeers
  3. https://www.csescienceeditor.org/article/new-innovations-in-peer-review/
  4. https://peerj.com/articles/1670/
  5. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rsos.140540
  6. https://www.aje.com/arc/ethics-peer-review/
  7. https://www.bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g4145

Significance of Publication Planning

Publication planning is that part of the pharmaceutical landscape that ensures that data from pharma companies (clinical trials, commentaries on drug/device class, and other publications supporting the efficacy of drug/device) is disseminated through medical journal articles–an important aspect of pharma companies’ overall marketing strategy. To publish a mix of editorials, primary and secondary publication, and review papers is the goal of efficient publication planning. Strategic publication planning can maximize product visibility throughout its life cycle. The launch of new drug/device in the market can be successful if the key clinical messages reach the target audience at the right time, for which publication planning is essential. The most successful drugs launched in the last 10-15 years have ridden on the back of a very well-implemented publication strategies. Overall, publication planning aids in the accurate reporting of scientific research, thereby promoting ethical transparency at every stage of medical research through the involvement of investigators, journal editors, and publication professionals.

An effective publication planning team is the key to an efficient publication plan. It is the publication planning team that creates a proactive plan to deliver client‑focused solutions and enable strategic planning and timely implementation of the publication plan. The first step in a publication plan is a “GAP analysis”, which can identify gaps in the literature. Thereafter, the team does an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) comprising product strengths, weaknesses, market opportunities, and market threats to understand which areas need maximum focus during implementation of the publication plan. For example, if the product in question has more safety issues compared to its competitors, then the publications would mostly be aimed to showcase that the safety concerns are unfounded. The publication planning team also analyzes the Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) related to the product and various competitors available in the market. In addition, it is the responsibility of the publication planning team to discuss issues related to authorship and data interpretation, and to ensure all the professionals involved in the publication process meet scientific and ethical standards. A good publication planner gets the best key opinion leaders (KOLs), study investigators, and a publication agency (if needed) to write the papers. This allows authors to concentrate only on scientific discussion, and not on logistical issues. Moreover, it encourages transparent communication between researchers and contributors.

There are also a few ethical issues that the publication planning team needs to deal with. These are shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Ethical issues relating to publication planning

Apart from ethical considerations the publication strategy team should know the audience; whether they intend to reach out to primary-care physicians, specialists, allied health specialists, managed care specialists, hospital pharmacists, retail pharmacists, formulary managers, and calibrate their publication plan accordingly. Based on this, they should select the journals for publication. Although publishing in a top-tier journals is prestigious, and adds substantially to a product’s first impression, it should be balanced against the length of time to publication. Prestige cannot make up for a publication that arrives too late. Early publication planning helps to ensure both goals are achieved. Finally, ensuring that a publication coincides with important meetings is an important part of efficient publication planning. This can ensure that the medical representatives at these scientific meetings have evidence to back their claims regarding the drugs/devices they are promoting.

With new guidelines such as GPP3 in place, there is an increased scrutiny on publication planning. Therefore, understanding good publication practices for providing structure and ethical implementation of the publication plan are important.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions (THS), a medical communication company, offers services to healthcare professionals in clinical research, regulatory writing, medico marketing writing, publication writing and support for conducting medical advisory board meetings. Turacoz understands the importance of a good publication which is in line with the new GPP3 guidelines. We follow the same updated guidelines for all our publications and comply with all legal, ethical and regulatory requirements. To know more about our specialization, please do visit our services section.

Health Economics and Outcome Research

Health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) activities comprise of Pharmacoeconomics (PE) research and health technology assessment (HTA) activities. Health economics (HE) is applied to analyze the economic aspects of health and healthcare, with focus on the costs and consequences of healthcare interventions.

PE, a sub-discipline of HE, provides a comparative value assessment between two pharmaceutical products or treatment mix. Outcome research (OR) helps in evaluating the effect of healthcare interventions on patient-related clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes.

Thus, HEOR is a discipline that helps the stakeholders to fully understand the product value and its potential in real-world clinical practice. In healthcare industry, the stakeholders and payer rely on HEOR to gain market access and remain competitive. For this, pharmaceutical and medical technology manufactures provide clinical development information (i.e. efficacy, safety and quality) and economic evidences to guide decision makers regarding patient access to specific drugs and services. These evidences help in determining whether the treatment is effective in the populations they serve.

Sources of HEOR Evidence

To generate outcomes to monitor and evaluate healthcare services, we need to collect evidences from different sources which can be further used for decision-making processes. These evidences can be collected from different sources as shown in Figure 1:

Health Economics and Outcome Research 2

Figure 1: Sources of health economics and outcome research (HEOR) evidence

Need of HEOR Evidences

The HEOR evidences are helpful in identifying unmet needs and addressing evidence gaps. The real-world data can be used to determine primary randomized control trial (RCT) endpoints (e.g. laboratory test results) which is considered as the most relevant clinical outcomes for physicians and healthcare decision makers. These evidences also help in promoting the patient-centered research and helps in developing and evaluating the cost containment strategies.

Tools for HEOR

There are several approaches which can be applied to the collected evidences through which a meaningful outcome can be achieved. Below are some tools which are used to analyze data.

  • Exploratory Data Assessment
  • Epidemiology study
  • Cost-benefit Analysis (CBA)
  • Cost of Illness Analysis
  • Budget Impact Model (BIM)
  • Cost-effectiveness Analysis (CEA)
  • Satisfaction Assessment
  • HRQL Analysis
  • Assessment of Analysis Compliance and Persistence
  • Market Assessment
  • Pricing Strategy

Types of Outcomes

Generally, the outcomes are of three types namely, clinical outcomes, economic outcomes and humanistic outcomes.

Health Economics and Outcome Research-2Today there is increased emphasis on HEOR activities due to the growing power of payers in the healthcare decision-making. This has led to HEOR professionals covering all aspects of drug development to ensure they have the right data and analysis. This growing importance of HEOR is reflected in the phenomenal increase in the field-based HEOR professionals employed by the pharma companies.

Turacoz Healthcare Solution (THS) aim to deliver the best quality and guideline compliant documents to the pharma and different sectors of healthcare industry. We are dedicated in providing scientific/medical writing support to the industry and academia. With expertise in several clinical trial related documents like Investigator Brochures (IBs), Protocols, Clinical Study Reports (CSRs) Prescribing Information (PI), and Common Technical Documents (CTDs). We also provide services for health economics and outcome research.

Transparency in Scholarly Publishing

A research publication is considered as the highest-level medium of dissemination of research findings. Scholarly publications play an important role in disseminating findings, thoughts, and analysis to the scientific, academic, and lay communities. Transparency is an ethic that strengthens the credibility and integrity of research work as well as bonding among the scholarly communities. Due to frequent questioning on research credibility, pressure for open access by governments, and high incidences of research frauds, it has become important to form and follow the principles of transparency.

Principles of Transparency

The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), the Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association (OASPA), and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) together have structured the principles of transparency, discuss all aspects of publication ethics and formulate the best practices to overcome any issue in this regard. The various principles of transparency and best practice in scholarly publishing are described as under:

These principle also help in differentiating the legitimate journals and publishers from the non-legitimate ones.

As per transparency, the scholars should give an access to the research data and methods employed for deriving the conclusion. The data production methods should be shared in a much wider platform. If scholar’s research is based on another researcher’s data, he or she should always cite their data clearly. The rules of data confidentiality, wherever applicable should be followed ethically.

Both the perspectives of transparency, viz. transparency in policy context and transparency in research process should be followed to make the scholarly publishing stronger and more reliable.

Publication plan carrying complete information about all types of publications or articles to be formed from the research or clinical studies also contributes towards ethical practice. A proper and firm publication planning can help researchers follow appropriate publishing practices, in time publication of research and hence, increased transparency.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions (THS) provides end-to-end medical publication writing support including scholarly or academic publication, research publication, manuscripts, slide deck as well as regulatory writing support for clinical trials which includes Prescribing Information (PI), Investigator Brochures (IBs), Protocols, Clinical Study Reports (CSRs), Clinical Evaluation Reposts (CERs) and Common Technical Documents (CTDs). Our documents are guideline compliant and are as per the current pharma and the healthcare standards. We aim to extend our services to different domains of the industry around the globe.

Graphical Abstract

What is graphical abstract?

Graphical abstract is a concise and visual/pictorial summary of the main findings of any publication manuscript. It helps readers to understand the findings of a manuscript in a better way and in a simplified manner. They are not replacements of traditional textual abstracts instead are an addition to them.

Why Graphical Abstract?

Graphical abstract should not be considered as a burden or waste of time by the authors. Therefore, it is necessary for them to understand the rationale behind the use of graphical abstract. Graphical abstract is a well-suited platform to share or disseminate the research via social media in today’s time and help attract the readers to encourage them to further read the article. Graphical abstract can help reader to quickly get the take-home message.

Hullan et al. analyzed 54 graphical abstracts and outlined the common patterns of graphical abstract designs observed in published literature. They include:

  1. Process illustrations: The most common layout presenting the processes “using (hand‑crafted) illustrations on a linear or forking layout”.
  2. Result representation: Data visualizations in the form of line charts to depict research results was used by numerous graphical abstracts.
  3. Parallel layouts: These graphical abstracts include “parallel pictures laid out horizontally on the graphical abstract plane”.

Recently, the use of graphical abstract is gaining momentum. A recent study by Pferschy‑Wenzig et al. compared the visibility of manuscripts published with graphical abstracts with that of publications without the one in the journal ‘Molecules’. The study found that the manuscripts published without graphical abstract had significantly higher abstract views, PDF downloads, and total citations. However, this study included the comparison of research from a limited timeframe and also focused on one journal. Future research on other journals comparing research from longer time periods is warranted.

Some tips for designing a graphical abstract

  1. Always refer to the journals guidelines to check specifications for graphical abstracts. For example; Elsevier has the specifications on image size, font, file type
  2. Refer to the examples of graphical abstract from the publisher and see the one to which the new study matches and design it accordingly. Elsevier has enlisted 16 good examples of graphical abstracts for articles published in their journals
  3. Keep it simple and to one image only
  4. Focus on the design and composition
  5. Stay away from using saturated distracting colors for the abstract
  6. Graphical abstract should present the results of the study rather than the method used to obtain the results or the referenced literature, unless necessary
  7. Must be self-explanatory
  8. Must include keywords in the image
  9. Microsoft paint, Microsoft PowerPoint, adobe illustrator, ChenDraw, Coreldraw can be used to design graphical abstract. Several software available online can also be used, such as Mind the Graph, Inkscape etc.
  10. You can also refer to agencies offering services for graphical abstract designing

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions (THS) is a medical writing agency with specialized medical writing and editing services of Publication writing, Regulatory writing, and Medico-marketing document for the pharma industry. This blog aims to spread awareness about the increasing use of graphical abstracts in publications and its role in disseminating the published research information to a wide audience via online media.