Medical Education Co., Ltd. Releases Explanatory Series on Plain Language Summary (PLS) and Graphical PLS

Medical Education Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Suginami-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Takashi Ochiai) has published an explanatory series on Plain Language Summary (PLS) and Graphical PLS. This series organizes the principles of research communication based on the perspective of who should receive research findings and how, against the backdrop of expanding 'Patient-Centricity.'

Background

In recent years, interest in Plain Language Summary (PLS) has been rising, particularly among international academic publishers and pharmaceutical companies.

Through its expertise in producing academic figures and graphical abstracts, Medical Education Co., Ltd. has encountered numerous instances where research communication must be adapted based on the target audience. Communication needs differ significantly depending on the audience and purpose, such as peer-to-peer sharing, grant applications, education, or public information dissemination.

PLS is a summary format designed to share research findings not only among researchers but also with patients, their families, and society as a whole. This trend is driven by concepts such as Patient-Centricity, Patient Engagement, and Patient Experience Data.

Furthermore, there is growing interest in 'Graphical PLS,' which uses visual illustrations alongside text. The importance of visualization as a method to convey research results more understandably is being reaffirmed.

However, simply simplifying information often does not lead to sufficient understanding for the intended users. There is a greater need than ever for a perspective that reconfigures information for the right audience and context. In response to this, the company has released an explanatory series that clarifies international trends in PLS and Graphical PLS, along with the underlying principles of research communication.

Overview of the Explanatory Series

This series systematically organizes topics ranging from the basics of PLS, its relationship with Patient-Centricity, the expansion of Graphical PLS, to the information needs of different users.

Furthermore, based on the premise that the necessary information and expression vary depending on the target audience even for the same research result, the series explores the design of information in research communication.

[Key Content] - What is PLS: Differences from abstracts and background of implementation - Relationship between Patient-Centricity and PLS - Transition from text PLS to Graphical PLS - Information needs of different users (patients, families, patient advocacy groups, healthcare professionals, policy makers, etc.) - Communication design for sharing research findings with society

Perspectives Presented in the Series

PLS and Graphical PLS are not merely independent methods. The common thread is the philosophy of research communication: 'delivering research findings to those who need them in a format they can understand.' It is important that research results are not only published but also understood and utilized within society.

This series addresses the question of how to restructure and convey research findings by considering the diverse perspectives of researchers, patients, families, healthcare professionals, policy makers, and society at large.

About Medical Education Co., Ltd.

Medical Education Co., Ltd. (Part of the SCICUS Group, Headquarters: Suginami-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Takashi Ochiai) specializes in communication design and visualization support for research findings, primarily in the fields of medicine, life sciences, and healthcare. Its service, 'MEDICAL FIG.,' supports the communication of research results through the production of figures, graphical abstracts, and schematic diagrams, focusing on properly structuring information and reconfiguring it for the target audience.