Four Proposals to Help Improve the Medical Research Literature

Summary Points:

• The evidence base underpinning clinical practice is deeply flawed.
• There must be better value gained from resources invested in medical research.
• We make four proposals: (1) introducing publications officers; (2) developing core competencies for editors and peer reviewers, around which (3) training can be tailored; and (4) training authors to write articles fit for purpose.
• All of these ideas need to be piloted and evaluated, and implemented if proven effective.
• We suggest dedicated funding for initiatives aimed at understanding and improving the way that research is conducted and published.
• Academic institutions, funders, publishers, and others should support and implement effective processes to improve the reliability of the medical research literature.

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