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Media Coverage, Journal Press Releases and Editorials Associated with Randomized and Observational Studies in High-Impact Medical Journals: A Cohort Study

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  • Michael T M Wang
  • Mark J Bolland
  • Greg Gamble
  • Andrew Grey

Abstract

Background: Publication of clinical research findings in prominent journals influences health beliefs and medical practice, in part by engendering news coverage. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) should be most influential in guiding clinical practice. We determined whether study design of clinical research published in high-impact journals influences media coverage. Methods and Findings: We compared the incidence and amount of media coverage of RCTs with that of observational studies published in the top 7 medical journals between 1 January 2013 and 31 March 2013. We specifically assessed media coverage of the most rigorous RCTs, those with >1000 participants that reported ‘hard’ outcomes. There was no difference between RCTs and observational studies in coverage by major newspapers or news agencies, or in total number of news stories generated (all P>0.63). Large RCTs reporting ‘hard’ outcomes did not generate more news coverage than small RCTs that reported surrogate outcomes and observational studies (all P>0.32). RCTs were more likely than observational studies to attract a journal editorial (70% vs 46%, P = 0.003), but less likely to be the subject of a journal press release (17% vs 50%, P 0.99), nor were they more likely to be the subject of a journal press release (14% vs 38%, P = 0.14). Conclusions: The design of clinical studies whose results are published in high-impact medical journals is not associated with the likelihood or amount of ensuing news coverage.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael T M Wang & Mark J Bolland & Greg Gamble & Andrew Grey, 2015. "Media Coverage, Journal Press Releases and Editorials Associated with Randomized and Observational Studies in High-Impact Medical Journals: A Cohort Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(12), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0145294
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145294
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gary Schwitzer & Ganapati Mudur & David Henry & Amanda Wilson & Merrill Goozner & Maria Simbra & Melissa Sweet & Katherine A Baverstock, 2005. "What Are the Roles and Responsibilities of the Media in Disseminating Health Information?," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 2(7), pages 1-1, July.
    2. Unknown, 2014. "Media Coverage 2014," 2014: Ethics, Efficiency and Food Security: Feeding the 9 Billion, Well, 26-28 August 2014 225573, Crawford Fund.
    3. Amélie Yavchitz & Isabelle Boutron & Aida Bafeta & Ibrahim Marroun & Pierre Charles & Jean Mantz & Philippe Ravaud, 2012. "Misrepresentation of Randomized Controlled Trials in Press Releases and News Coverage: A Cohort Study," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(9), pages 1-11, September.
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