Scientific Abstracts Are not as Accurate as You Think
Lansdale, PA (PRWEB) November 13, 2013 -- Where do you go to get information about the latest medical research? If you rely only on the abstracts that accompany scientific manuscripts or conference proceedings, you may not be getting an accurate picture of the results. A Professional’s Guide to the Use and Misuse of Scientific Abstracts, the latest white paper from Hayes, Inc., explains why.
“In scientific literature, abstracts may be the only substantive portion of a manuscript that busy professionals have time to read,” explains Dr. Winifred S. Hayes, President and CEO of Hayes, Inc. “However, abstracts often don’t include all of the necessary and important information about the research that was performed. Some abstracts even fail to report side effects or harms. When healthcare professionals, journalists, or consumers read only the abstracts, they may come to inaccurate conclusions about the research being reported.”
According to Hayes, Inc., abstracts often overstate benefits, understate risk, and draw overly optimistic conclusions. It is not uncommon for readers to base their assessment of clinical trial quality and application of the results solely on the information that is reported in a journal abstract. When professionals use incomplete or inaccurate abstracts as the primary source of information to evaluate new or evolving healthcare technologies, they could make care-management decisions that ultimately harm patients.
Hayes provides a checklist to help professionals quickly identify whether or not a particular abstract contains accurate and complete information that can be used for time-sensitive decision-making. Download your complimentary copy of A Professional’s Guide to the Use and Misuse of Scientific Abstracts today to read more about how to get the most out of scientific abstracts.
About Hayes, Inc.
Hayes, Inc., an internationally recognized leader in health technology research and consulting, is dedicated to the delivery of high-quality healthcare and improved outcomes through the integration of evidence into decision making and policy development. The unbiased information and comparative-effectiveness analyses we provide enable evidence-based decisions about acquiring, managing, and paying for health technologies. Our worldwide clients include hospitals, healthcare systems, government agencies, health plans, and employers.
For more information about Hayes, Inc., visit http://www.hayesinc.com. Or, contact Hayes, Inc. by mail at 157 S. Broad Street, Lansdale, PA 19446; by telephone at 215.855.0615; by e-mail at hayesinfo(at)hayesinc(dot)com; or by fax at 215.855.5218.
Karen Matthias, Hayes, Inc., http://www.hayesinc.com, 215.855.0615, [email protected]
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