Editors-in-chief perceptions of patients as (co) authors on publications and the acceptability of ICMJE authorship criteria: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Plain English summary In academia, authorship on a research publication is a central means to obtain credit for one’s contribution to a research project. In order to guide authorship decision making and facilitate transparent processes, the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) has produced recommendations for authorship. These recommendations are widely adopted by hundreds of medical journals. However, there is no research on whether the ICJME’s recommendations for authorship appropriately recognize the distinct contributions of patient partners to research. This survey study asked Editors-in-Chief about their perceptions of patient partners as authors and on the suitability of the ICMJE authorship criteria. We find that a 30.8%of medical journal Editors-in-chief do not view the inclusion of patient partners as authors on manuscripts as appropriate. Editors-in-chief reported wide ranging views on whether the ICMJE criteria for authorship were appropriate for patient partners. The implication of this work is that there is a need for education and for consensus building within the biomedical community to establish processes that will facilitate patient partners equitable inclusion in research, including on research outputs like publications.

Keywords

• Authorship
• Publication ethics
• Publication best practices
• Patient involvement
• Authorship criteria
• Authorship policy