Elsevier introduces digital enhancements to medical literature, revolutionizing article-based education

Elsevier, a global leader in evidence-based clinical practice content, research publishing, and information analytics, announced today the launch of an exciting new feature aimed at improving medical literature by introducing videos to official journal publications. Enhanced Publications is the latest tool in Elsevier’s portfolio aimed at bettering the clinician experience. It is fully peer-reviewed, indexed content and will allow physicians to access the wealth of information in select high-profile medical journals through sponsored video content.

Elsevier-sourced videos featuring everything from lectures to roundtable discussions, to clinician-patient interactions, will be showcased alongside medical articles to maximize the educational impact of journals and immerse readers in the content. The goal is to accelerate the discovery and learning experience through visually compelling content. In addition to videos, Enhanced Publications provides cutting-edge experience with superior search functionality.

Elsevier decided to form Enhanced Publications after a June 2021 study(opens in new tab/window) it conducted of nearly 1800 physicians around the world. Doctors were surveyed on how they were using online resources and social media. The top factors affecting their choice of learning platform or resource were credibility, up-to-date information or research, and ease of search navigation. The study showed that close to 85% of physicians preferred online medical journals as their source of information. The most popular content types were treatment guidelines and medical journal articles (89% each), followed by online Continuing Medical Education (72%), and clinical trial information (66%).

The study shows physicians’ growing desire for multimedia content. The poll showed that YouTube is a growing source of information, with webcasts, webinars, and podcasts increasing in popularity.

Enhanced Publications delivers on addressing the demand for more interactive medical material while drawing on Elsevier journals’ established reputation and credibility as a source of medical literature.

The first Elsevier Enhanced Publication with The American Journal of Cardiology was recently published; Early Diagnosis and Appropriate Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation(opens in new tab/window). The digital publication, a first in the cardiovascular space, brought together four experts in the area of cardiology and electrophysiology to discuss the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate rhythm control therapy of atrial fibrillation. The publication was supported by Sanofi.

Darren Webster, Managing Director, Global Pharma, Elsevier, said "Research shows that clinicians are increasingly seeking a more visually compelling, digital experience to process material and content. Given Elsevier’s vast portfolio of research products and journals and our corpus of information, we saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between print and video content in our journals. Enhanced Publications fulfills this need clinicians are increasingly telling us they have.”

George Dickens, Medical Head US General Medicines, Sanofi, said, “This enhanced publication goes beyond the traditional journal paper by bringing to life the various articles in an engaging and lively video roundtable format.”

Enhanced Publications offers a balance of text and video with the ability to target specific audiences. Videos are integrated with text in three different formats or combinations -- full-length articles accompanied by video, videos with a collection of abstracts, or videos with short summary statements. In connection with Elsevier’s ScienceDirect, the platform offers the highest visibility and impact for material available in the industry. ScienceDirect was recently named the most accessible and inclusive discovery platform in the industry and classified as the most accessible homepage in the world by the WebAIM 2023 Wave for the top one million global homepages.

The survey results presented in the release draw from an Elsevier study of nearly 1800 physicians around the world in June 2021.

Source: Elsevier Physician Online and Social Media Usage study, 1,778 respondents, June 2021.(opens in new tab/window)

As a global leader in information and analytics, Elsevier helps researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. We do this by facilitating insights and critical decision-making for customers across the global research and health ecosystems. In everything we publish, we uphold the highest standards of quality and integrity. We bring that same rigor to our information analytics solutions for researchers, academic leaders, funders, R&D-intensive corporations, doctors, and nurses.

Elsevier employs 9,000 people worldwide, including over 2,500 technologists. We have supported the work of our research and health partners for more than 140 years. Growing from our roots in publishing, we offer knowledge and valuable analytics that help our users make breakthroughs and drive societal progress. Digital solutions such as ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciVal, ClinicalKey and Sherpath support strategic research management, R&D performance, clinical decision support, medical education, and nursing education. Researchers and healthcare professionals rely on over 2,800 journals, including The Lancet(opens in new tab/window) and Cell(opens in new tab/window); 46,000+ eBook titles; and iconic reference works, such as Gray’s Anatomy. With the Elsevier Foundation(opens in new tab/window) and our external Inclusion & Diversity Advisory Board, we work in partnership with diverse stakeholders to advance inclusion and diversity in science, research and healthcare in developing countries and around the world. 

Elsevier is part of RELX(opens in new tab/window), a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers.