Presentation to Publication: Changes in Paediatric Radiology Research Trends 2010-2016

Background: More than half of paediatric radiology research presented at annual conference meetings between 2010-2012 remains unpublished. It is unclear if there are any improvements in this statistic despite some initiatives to improve awareness of the importance of evidence-based medicine.

Objectives: To determine the abstract to publication rates (APRs) originating from recent paediatric radiology meetings, trends in research topics and factors associated with publication success.

Materials And Methods: All PubMed cited articles originating from oral presentations at European Society of Paediatric Radiology, Society for Paediatric Radiology or International Paediatric Radiology conferences between 2013-2016 were evaluated, and compared to those from previously published data from the same conferences dated 2010-2012. Publication rates, study design and topic as well as characteristics of the research group (e.g., author affiliations and number) were evaluated and compared between published and unpublished groups.

Results: The APR increased to 433/937 (46%) for abstracts presented between 2013-2016, compared to 300/715 (42%) in 2010-2012 (P=0.094). The largest proportion of publications comes from academic and tertiary centres (324/433 [75%]). International collaboration increased to 49/433 (11%) from 18/300 (6%) in 2010-2012 (P=0.018). A greater proportion of work was published within 12 months of conference: 41% in 2013-2016, compared to 29% in 2010-2012 (P=0.02). Paediatric Radiology remained the most popular destination journal, publishing 167/433 (39%) articles.

Conclusion: There was a slight increase over time in the proportion of abstracts that resulted in publication, yet more than half of abstracts still do not reach publication status. Further work should identify how radiologists (particularly those outside tertiary and academic centres) can be supported to share their research.