Communicating Science in the Time of a Pandemic
Richard Saitz, Gary Schwitzer
Abstract
Communicating Science in the Time of a PandemicDuring the global SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) pandemic, disseminating study findings (such as by preprints, news releases, news stories, or social media) and publishing the results of studies of testing and treatment in scientific journals increased quickly.As of July 6, a PubMed search for COVID-19 yielded almost 30 000 reports.In the context of a rapid increase in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths from COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), clinicians, patients, policy makers, and the public at large are understandably eager for results of studies of prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment.Because of the urgency to implement the findings of research to stem the pandemic and its effects, clear and complete communication of study results is even more important than usual. Communication Flaws and FailuresGovernmentreports,journalism,talkshows,andpublicrelations news releases from industry and academic institutions have often failed to communicate the results of studies well, and these failures have important consequences.Failures of communication include (1) a focus on single study results without the context of other studies or acknowledgment that single studies are rarely definitive; (2) overemphasis on results, particularly relative effects, without recognition of important limitations; and (3) communications based on incomplete reports of studies and reports of studies that have not been adequately reviewed.Communications regarding studies involving remdesivir, dexamethasone, and hydroxychloroquine illustrate some of these issues.