In a recent analysis of article views in Taylor & Francis medical journals, it has been revealed that the use of “extenders” can significantly increase readership. Extenders refer to digital tools that present research in alternative formats, such as infographics, graphical abstracts, video abstracts, supplementary podcasts, and translations. These tools aim to highlight the practical implications of the research for healthcare providers and make the findings more accessible to non-specialists, including patients and caregivers.
The study conducted by Taylor & Francis editorial staff focused on 21 Plain Language Summaries of Publications (PLSPs) and 19 Clinical Trial Protocols (CTPs) articles with extenders, published in Expert Medicine journals between January 2023 and January 2025. The results showed that articles with extenders received 144% more views compared to those without extenders. Specifically, PLSPs with extenders had 154% more views, averaging 3,985 views compared to 1,568 views for PLSPs without extenders. Similarly, CTPs with extenders had 126% more views, averaging 4,602 views compared to 2,029 views for CTPs without extenders.
Sam Cavana, head of publishing solutions at Taylor & Francis, highlighted the impact of extenders on article views and expressed interest in exploring which extenders have the most significant effect on readership. Further research is needed to determine the demographic of additional readers attracted by extenders and whether increased views translate into higher research citations or social media shares.
Rachel Jenkins, head of plain language summaries at Taylor & Francis, emphasized the importance of extenders in making research findings accessible to a wider audience. Researchers are encouraged to include extenders in their publication plans to enhance the visibility and impact of their work.
For more information on plain language summaries of publications and clinical trial protocols, authors can visit the Taylor & Francis Author Services website. The study findings underscore the value of using extenders in medical publishing to enhance readership and engagement with research content.
This insightful study sheds light on the positive impact of extenders in medical journal articles and provides valuable insights for researchers and publishers looking to increase the reach and impact of their work.
