Shining the Spotlight: The Dark Side of Publishing Gets Even Darker

Predatory publishing has evolved beyond questionable journals into a complex ecosystem of paper mills, review manipulation, and AI-enabled fraud. This article explores emerging threats to research integrity and introduces the Quad P framework—Prevention, Probing, Protection, and Preservation—to help professionals identify risks and safeguard the publication lifecycle.

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.

Get Ready for the ISMPP Annual Meeting—and Make It Count

The 2026 Annual Meeting of ISMPP takes place on April 19-22 in Washington, D.C. See you there!

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In Practice

Mastering the Art of Meeting Facilitation: Part 1

Mastering the Art of Meeting Facilitation: Part 1

Meetings serve as vital platforms for collaboration and discussion as well as ensuring key decisions are made for aspects critical to successful publication planning. This is the first of two articles that will provide tips and insights into running a successful meeting. Initially, in this article, we look at preparation and what a facilitator should focus on to ensure success…

Author Payments: Same Policies, Different Scope

Author Payments: Same Policies, Different Scope

Can we pay authors for work that leads to a publication? This is a pressing question often faced by medical publication professionals. Good Publication Practice 2022 (GPP 2022) and its predecessors provided guidance on author payments. New questions on author payments and corresponding GPP 2022 guidance are addressed here, as well as further explanation of GPP 2022 wording and expanded scope compared with earlier GPP iterations…

From ISMPP

2024 ISMPP Academy Takes Place in Philadelphia

2024 ISMPP Academy Takes Place in Philadelphia

ISMPP Academy was a great success leaving attendees equipped with new knowledge, practical tools, and a strengthened network to propel their careers in medical communications and publications. We look forward to the continued growth and success of ISMPP Academy in the years to come. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this remarkable event!

20-Year Milestone: 700+ Attendees Gather for Memorable Meeting

20-Year Milestone: 700+ Attendees Gather for Memorable Meeting

More than 700 ATTENDEES connected last week in DC for the 20th Annual Meeting of ISMPP. This year’s theme, ‘Storytelling: Its Art and Power,’ highlighted the transformative role of art in storytelling within healthcare and medical communications. The storytelling concepts and tools learned during the three-day meeting helped our professionals to find ways to break down stigmas, combat misinformation, help change perceptions, and ultimately improve patient care.

What Would You Do?

Bridging Disciplines: What is the Best Path to Publishing Together?

Bridging Disciplines: What is the Best Path to Publishing Together?

You lead a study on environmental factors and human health, generating data that could potentially change practice. Multiple institutions and experts from diverse fields, such as environmental science, epidemiology, and public health, contributed to the study, each with different publication priorities—speed, collaboration, transparency. Now you must decide on the best approach for publishing the findings. What would you do?

POLL RESULTS: To Use AI or To Not Use AI…for Manuscript Development?

You are a researcher working on a groundbreaking clinical study that could potentially lead to a significant advancement in the treatment of a complex disease. Some members of the research team want to use artificial intelligence (AI) to develop the first draft of the manuscript. Other team members are concerned about accuracy, interpretation, and potential bias in the content. What Would You Do?

In our role as medical publication professionals, we may occasionally encounter situations in which it is not obvious how to ensure good publication practice. Have you ever wished you could consult the ISMPP membership for guidance when these situations arise? Here’s your opportunity!

What Would You Do? is a section of ISMPP Insider that presents case scenarios as an educational tool for medical publication professionals. The section provides a case scenario to ponder, and readers are invited to participate in a poll by selecting one of the listed solutions. Readers can also submit their thoughts on the scenario anonymously. The poll results, plus educational insights, are posted in a later issue for readers to digest.

Content Lab

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About Content Lab

Content Lab is ISMPP Insider’s dedicated space for timely, relevant, and practical insights in medical communications. Content Lab features concise articles designed to inform, inspire, and spark conversation among our members.​

Whether you’re looking for a quick tip or a deeper dive into the challenges and opportunities facing medical publication and communication professionals,Content Lab delivers informed perspectives, straight from ISMPP. Our goal: to beyour trusted voice for advancing best practices, integrity, and innovation in medical communications.​

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ISMPP Insider’s Knowledge Hub represents a central space for exploring and discovering content, new and older. Content is organized across foundational and applied themes and topics. Explore curated collections or targeted searches to view recent and archival material.
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Ethics, Integrity, & Transparency

Principles, values, and real-world considerations that guide ethical decision-making, transparency, and trust in medical publications and communications (the WHY)

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Medical Writing & Communications

Practical perspectives on writing quality, collaboration, and the day-to-day practice and craft of medical communications

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Standards, Guidelines, & Policies

Authoritative guidelines, policies, and evolving requirements that operationalize ethical and transparent practices and support consistent implementation  (the HOW)

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Innovation & Technology

Informed perspectives on emerging tools, technologies, and evolving practices shaping the future of medical communications

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Publication Strategy & Planning

Strategic approaches to planning, aligning, and delivering evidence and publications across the research lifecycle

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Professional Development & Community

Insights and experiences that support career growth, skills development, and engagement across the medical communications community

Some sections of our new ISMPP Insider blog are still a work-in-progress. Thank you for your patience as we continue to optimize the site for our community.

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