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The Challenge

The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery wanted to create self-explanatory graphical summaries of select articles that could be shared with a growing audience of orthopedic surgeons and researchers and be easier to digest.

This had to be managed within a tight biweekly publication production cycle.

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The Solution

The Impact Science team studied each research paper and converted them into attractive, easy-to-navigate infographics.

The team also created video summaries for some of the more popular papers using 2D graphic motion.

A seamless production workflow was created in the form of an annual calendar that incorporated the journal’s production cycle.

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The Impact

The infographics and videos were widely shared on social media platforms and science news sites frequented by specialists and the general medical science fraternity.

The metrics saw an increase: 10x more views for articles with visual content on the journal website; 5x views of videos summaries on average compared to other JBJS videos on YouTube; etc.

The output attracted interest from commercial sponsors, the media, and readers from other sub-specialties.

Background

The fact that there are 206 bones in an adult human body (270 at birth) is reason enough to dedicate an entire line of study to diagnose and treat the diseases of the musculoskeletal system. For over 125 years, The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS) has been the most valued source of knowledge for orthopedic surgeons and researchers and is the touchstone.

In peer-reviewed scientific information in this field. Essential reading and referencing for general and specialists worldwide, the journal publishes evidence-based research to improve the quality of care and life for orthopedic patients.

With hundreds of musculoskeletal studies being published, it is challenging for practicing orthopedic surgeons and researchers to keep up with the latest breakthroughs. It is difficult to delve into every detail amidst all the challenges of a demanding medical career and personal research commitments.

The JBJS had a very simple expectation: create self-explanatory graphical summaries of select articles that can be shared on a larger platform so that their clinically compelling findings could find an expansive audience and be easier to digest. The only cincher: all this had to be done keeping a very tight biweekly publication production cycle.

Impact Science proposed to create a series of short videos and engaging infographics. These would highlight key research data and summarize the entire research in minutes without losing the core proposition of the research.

Not only would this make the crucial information easy to access but also quick to consume for the journal’s stakeholders.

Strategy & Approach

The Impact Science team of science writers, illustrators, and graphic designers studied each selected research paper, decoded its nuances, and built simple storylines to explain the findings using graphics and visuals, complemented by appropriate captions to create attractive, easy-to-navigate infographics. The output would be easier for researchers to disseminate to a wider audience as compared to dense, multi-paged, time-consuming articles.

Impact Science also created video summaries for some of the more popular JBJS research papers using 2D graphic motion. A 2D graphic video typically makes use of attractive graphics and supporting captions, similar to infographics, with multiple images using animation and narration.

To ensure that the tight biweekly timelines were met, we fit our workflow within the journal’s production cycle—that included approvals from the author, journal editor, and copyeditor, as well as final approval by the editor-in-chief—in the form of an annual calendar.

Here are some samples of our work done for JBJS:

Results of hip arthroscopy explained in a simple linear infographic that nudges the viewer to follow the graphic with ergonomic eye movement.

Repaired vs Unrepaired Capsulotomy after Hip Arthroscopy: What the MRI Shows

This infographic outlines a study of glenohumeral arthrodesis with a high rate of complications and functional limitations and solutions for pain relief and shoulder stability

Long-Term Outcomes of Glenohumeral Arthrodesis

Study of idiopathic toe-walking in children aged up to 10 years explained in this infographic showcases how it is likely to resolve without treatment

This video is an example of a complex study on randomized trials comparing suture buttons for stabilization.

Conclusion

The response from the community was encouraging.

  • 10x increased views for articles with visual content on the journal website
  • 5x views of videos summaries on average compared to other JBJS vi deos on YouTube
  • 2.5x increase in YouTube channel subscribers since the introduction of video summaries
  • 90% of JBJS Twitter favorites retweeted
  • Interest from commercial sponsors for infographics and interstitial ads on videos
  • Enhanced engagement for readers from other sub-specialties
  • lnfographic received mainstream media coverage in The Sunday Times

These abridged studies using infographics and videos were announced by the editor-in-chief, Marc F. Swiontkowski, MD.

These were also shared widely on social media platforms and science news sites frequented by orthopedic specialists and surgeons as well as the general medical science fraternity.

As thorough and meticulous researchers are in their willingness to invest time, the creative repurposing of hardcore JBJS research by Impact Science in the form of info graphics and videos has garnered exponential traction within the scientific fraternity for its simplicity and conciseness.