Re: https://www.hifa.org/dgroups-rss/open-access-39-q4-how-would-you-design-...
Dear Suranjana Banik and all,
You say: "In genomics and related fields, preprints have already become a valuable tool for rapid data sharing and collaboration... From a healthcare standpoint, it is vital that preprints are interpreted responsibly. For clinicians, especially those in evidence-based fields, preprints can offer early insights but should never be the sole basis for clinical decision-making. Perhaps HIFA could play a vital role here in promoting awareness about how to critically appraise and appropriately use preprint data in healthcare contexts."
I agree. I understand that pre-prints originated as a method for rapid exchange of results among relatively small groups of specialist researchers, and perhaps this role remains the most important? Over time, proponents of pre-prints appear to be embracing not only specialist researchers, but frontline healthcare providers, the general public, policymakers and even the media in a much wider target audience. This ramps up the risks of pre-prints.
One article I read on this topic (although from a PubMed journal I had not heard of before) concluded: 'While preprints offer many benefits, the misuse of AI technologies like ChatGPT only adds to the great risks associated with their use. Therefore, it is critical that all parties involved in medical research take a more cautious and responsible approach to the use of preprints. We suggest a complete reconsideration to the framework for publishing preprint articles. By doing so, we could ensure medical research is conducted and shared while benefiting society and minimizing the risks of “fake science” arising from the use of preprints in scientific publications.'
I look forward to comments from others.
'Perhaps HIFA could play a vital role here in promoting awareness about how to critically appraise and appropriately use preprint data in healthcare contexts.' HIFA's role here is to convene stakeholders across the global evidence ecosystem and thereby explore the issues.
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org