Gap analysis – The Publication Plan for everyone interested in medical writing, the development of medical publications, and publication planning https://thepublicationplan.com A central online news resource for professionals involved in the development of medical publications and involved in publication planning and medical writing. Wed, 15 Sep 2021 14:06:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://s0.wp.com/i/webclip.png Gap analysis – The Publication Plan for everyone interested in medical writing, the development of medical publications, and publication planning https://thepublicationplan.com 32 32 88258571 The challenges of rare disease publication planning https://thepublicationplan.com/2019/04/04/the-challenges-of-rare-disease-publication-planning/ https://thepublicationplan.com/2019/04/04/the-challenges-of-rare-disease-publication-planning/#respond Thu, 04 Apr 2019 14:00:43 +0000 https://thepublicationplan.com/?p=5700 Rare disease publication planningIn the field of rare diseases, the publication and effective dissemination of new research is vital. This can, however, be challenging due to unconventional data generation and difficulties with effective delivery to target audiences, which include not only fellow researchers but also patients themselves. Strategic publication planning in rare diseases may therefore require a different approach to the norm. In a recent article for the MAP newsletter from the International Society of Medical Publications Professionals (ISMPP), Eleanor Thurtle, Annabel Griffiths and Danielle Sheard (Costello Medical, Cambridge, UK) present a flow chart to aid the process. Key considerations are:

  1. Establish data availability – accelerated regulatory approval can impact timeframes and early data availability may be required. Communication points must be carefully selected as new results can dramatically change the landscape.
  2. Establish knowledge gaps – gap analyses can optimise the impact of results on current understanding.
  3. Think outside the box – small patient numbers can mean that single-arm and case studies are more appropriate forms of publication.
  4. Consider alternative data analyses – less common statistical methodologies may need to be used due to small data sets, which can be more difficult to convey effectively.
  5. Establish consensus on disease management – treatment guidelines may not be available for rare diseases, so it is important to garner clinical opinion.
  6. Consider integrated data disclosure planning – patient identification can be a concern due to small patient populations and combined data disclosure may aid anonymity.
  7. Maximise patient access – open access, plain language, lay summaries and social media can all be explored as ways of effectively reaching the patient.

The European Medicines Agency estimate that approximately 30 million individuals in Europe live with a rare disease and that “medical and scientific knowledge about rare diseases is lacking”, highlighting the importance of ‘getting it right’ when it comes to publishing such work.

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Summary by Jo Chapman PhD from Aspire Scientific

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With thanks to our sponsors, Aspire Scientific Ltd and NetworkPharma Ltd

]]> https://thepublicationplan.com/2019/04/04/the-challenges-of-rare-disease-publication-planning/feed/ 0 5700 Evidence-based publication planning: the essentials https://thepublicationplan.com/2018/11/14/evidence-based-publication-planning-the-essentials/ https://thepublicationplan.com/2018/11/14/evidence-based-publication-planning-the-essentials/#respond Wed, 14 Nov 2018 11:30:10 +0000 https://thepublicationplan.com/?p=5438 Evidence based publicaiton planning.jpgPublication planning is crucial for the development of a comprehensive strategic and tactical scientific communications plan. In a recent article for the MAP newsletter from the International Society of Medical Publications Professionals (ISMPP), Danielle Sheard and Sara Steeves from Costello Medical (Cambridge, UK) provide their insights on the core elements of an effective gap analysis. As they explain, a gap analysis is an evidence-based publication planning tool that can provide an overview of the disease area, highlight competitor strategies and identify any areas of unmet medical need. Importantly, the information from a gap analysis can then be utilised by publication planning teams to develop robust communication points to effectively address critical evidence gaps.

In their article, Sheard and Steeves provide a useful overview of the processes involved. A gap analysis must be well-planned, so the first step is to prospectively define the topics of interest. Sheard and Steeves suggest that insights from an initial analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) will help to inform the selection of topics. A literature review is then completed to identify existing publications of relevance. Following this, the identified publications are mapped against the pre-specified topics to identify gaps. Finally, any identified gaps feed back into the initial SWOT analysis; for example, areas of priority for data generation or publication identified by the gap analysis could be a potential opportunity for the SWOT analysis.

To conclude, Sheard and Steeves note that a gap analysis is just one aspect of publication plan development. Other factors to consider include the need for alternative publication types (such as review articles) and data availability. For instance, fast publication of data may be more important than the priorities suggested by the gap analysis.

What are your top tips for effective publication planning? Add your comments below.

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Summary by Emma Evans PhD from Aspire Scientific

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With thanks to our sponsors, Aspire Scientific Ltd and NetworkPharma Ltd

 

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