Implementation of International Reporting Guidelines in Chinese Medical Journals: A Survey of Journals Selected for Phase Ⅱ of the Action Plan for Excellent STM Journals

By analyzing the medical journals selected for Phase Ⅱ of the Action Plan for Excellent STM Journals, this study aims to examine the current status and problems in the implementation of international reporting guidelines in Chinese medical journals, propose optimization strategies, and provide a basis for strengthening their implementation in Chinese medical journals.

Using web-based research and literature searches, the study analyzed the characteristics and publication status of 15 major reporting guidelines in the EQUATOR Network, the adoption of these guidelines in the instructions for authors and on the websites of medical journals selected for Phase Ⅱ of the Action Plan for Excellent STM Journals, and compliance with reporting guidelines in published randomized trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and clinical practice guidelines and consensus documents.

No Chinese journal published the original texts of the 15 major reporting guidelines in the EQUATOR Network. Among 43 English-language journals and 47 Chinese-language journals selected for Phase Ⅱ of the Action Plan for Excellent STM Journals, 36 (83.72%) English-language journals and 27 (57.45%) Chinese-language journals recommended or required adherence to reporting guidelines when preparing relevant research articles on their publishing platforms. Additionally, 17 (39.53%) English-language journals and 14 (29.79%) Chinese-language journals recommended or required the use of more than three reporting guidelines. For journals selected for Phase Ⅱ of the Action Plan for Excellent STM Journals, 19 English-language medical journals and 35 Chinese-language medical journals published 118 and 404 randomized trials, respectively; 25 English-language medical journals and 22 Chinese-language medical journals published 91 and 145 systematic reviews and meta-analyses, respectively; 16 English-language medical journals and 40 Chinese-language medical journals published 57 and 538 clinical practice guidelines and consensus statements, respectively. The English-language medical journals selected for Phase Ⅱ of the Action Plan for Excellent STM Journals demonstrated relatively good compliance with indicators specified in reporting guidelines for randomized trials and systematic reviews and meta-analyses, but compliance with reporting guidelines for clinical practice guidelines and consensus statements requires further improvement; Chinese-language medical journals showed relatively good reporting compliance for some indicators related to reporting guidelines of systematic reviews and meta-analyses and clinical practice guidelines and consensus, but exhibited poor adherence in implementing reporting guidelines for randomized trials, and the registration rates for all three types of studies were low.

Chinese medical journals should attach importance to the publication of reporting guidelines, and gradually strengthen the adoption and implementation of these guidelines. By further drawing on exemplary cases from both domestic and international journals, and leveraging the advantages of clustered journal management, Chinese medical journals can refine journal policies and deepen the implementation of reporting guidelines, thereby promoting the sustained improvement of research report quality.