Taylor & Francis has introduced Plain Language Reviews (PLRs), a new format of open access articles designed to make medical research more accessible to readers without a specialist background.
PLRs build on the publisher’s earlier introduction of Plain Language Summaries of Publications (PLSPs) in 2023. While PLSPs summarize individual studies, PLRs provide broader overviews by combining data from multiple peer‑reviewed articles, offering context alongside the primary research.
Written in jargon‑free language and peer reviewed, PLRs are intended to support patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers in staying informed about developments in medicine and health. Each PLR is published open access with its own DOI, increasing discoverability. They also feature visual design elements, audio sections to guide pronunciation, and glossary definitions to explain scientific terms.
Rachel Jenkins, Head of Plain Language Summaries at Taylor & Francis, noted that non‑specialist audiences often struggle to access medical findings because research data is not typically presented with them in mind. She explained that PLRs were developed to broaden readership and help patients make informed decisions based on a clearer understanding of current research.
An example PLR has been published in Current Medical Research and Opinion, focusing on cortisol’s role in difficult‑to‑control type 2 diabetes, based on insights from the CATALYST study. Further details about PLRs are available through Taylor & Francis Author Services.
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