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Hot Topics highlights timely issues and emerging discussions shaping the practice of medical publication and communication. As scientific, regulatory, and technological developments continue to evolve rapidly, this section focuses on topics gaining attention now and offers perspectives that help the ISMPP community stay informed, anticipate impact, and navigate change with confidence.

 

 

Join ISMPP Today!

Joining ISMPP offers numerous benefits for medical publications and communications professionals. Learn more.

2026 Annual Meeting of ISMPP

April 19-22, Washington, D.C.

The Integrated Era: Purpose, Partnerships, Personalization

Today’s medical publications and communications profession demands a deeper integration of stakeholders, systems, content, workflows, and technologies. This year’s theme explores how integrating a shared purpose, meaningful partnerships, and effective personalization drive more impactful communication.

 

Explore Annual Meeting Content by Career Level

The ISMPP Annual Meeting offers rich content for professionals at every stage of their career. Whether you are building foundational skills, refining strategy, or shaping enterprise‑level direction, the program includes sessions, formats, and networking opportunities designed to meet you where you are.

Explore highlights and tips tailored to your career level to help you plan an experience that delivers practical value and lasting impact.

 

 

When AI Shapes the Narrative: Do Pubs Teams Have a Responsibility to Act?

Your team at a sponsoring pharmaceutical company recently published a clinical study in a reputable journal. Soon after, a healthcare professional shared a summary generated by an AI-powered medical tool that appears to overstate the study’s efficacy and underrepresent key limitations. The AI summary is gaining traction in online discussions.

While the original published abstract is accurate, you recognize that its structure may make it easier for AI tools to generate simplified, and potentially misleading, interpretations. Now, there is internal debate about whether your team has any responsibility to respond. Some colleagues argue that once the manuscript is published, interpretation by third-party tools is out of the authors’ or the company’s control. Others believe there is a professional obligation to step in when summaries derived from a company-sponsored publication could influence clinical understanding. As a publications lead, you are asked how to proceed. What Would You Do?

Restoring Trust in Science: What Would Make a Difference?

In this post inspired by an ISMPP U webinar co-hosted with the Council of Science Editors (CSE), Steve Smith explores the growing gap between scientific transparency and public trust. Drawing on expert perspectives, the piece argues that restoring trust will require stronger incentives, more disciplined communication, and a genuine commitment to listening to the communities that science aims to serve.

Welcome to ISMPP Insider!

Introducing ISMPP Insider, the evolution of the MAP Newsletter. Like The MAP, Insider brings together expert perspectives, practical insights, trusted guidance, and program news to support the ISMPP community.

Publication Governance Across Biopharma: Your Input Needed

As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical communications continues to grow, many organizations are beginning to establish formal policies to guide its responsible use. To better understand current approaches and areas of need, ISMPP has launched a new member survey on company AI policies in medical publications.