Evidence-Based Health Content and the Development Process
Our commitment
Krames StayWell (KSW) defines health content as that which provides clients with valuable information on diseases, conditions, tests, and procedures and helps promote understanding and management of health and wellness to their end-users. Health content is developed with the goal of being consistent with evidence-based medicine and nationally accepted guidelines and standards of practice. KSW health content is developed using clinicians whose expertise falls in the content area under development. KSW makes a significant investment annually to medically review health content and support its commitment to current high standards of accuracy. For new content, the staff is dedicated to developing health communication solutions that are evidence-based, URAC-accredited, easy to understand, and behavioral-change focused.
Content development, sourcing, reviews, and edits/updates
Content is developed for a range of reading levels, from fifth to 12th grades. Reading level is measured with commonly used readability scales (FOG, SMOG, Flesh-Kincaid and FRY). Going beyond readability, KSW is focused on health literacy, developing content using Doak, Doak & Root Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) methodology, which considers the following criteria: content, layout and typography, graphics, cultural appropriateness, learning stimulation motivation, and literacy demand. A glossary of terms is included on our online site. Multimedia content facilitates a low-literacy reading level with medical illustrations and a diverse selection of multimedia products.
All health content is sourced and dated when edited, revised, or updated. Health content is reviewed no later than 24 months from the article's posting date in the Unified Content Repository (UCR). Sources are up-to-date and consistent with evidence-based medicine and nationally accepted guidelines and standards of practice. The KSW staff adheres to a rigorous internal review process for existing content, and uses current health information leveraged from a variety of other renowned, credible content providers in the field, including Harvard, Health Day News, and Gold Standard, Inc.
The clinical review process for health content is conducted through an Editing and Recording Information System (ERIS). ERIS is a web-based application that allows for electronic content review and tracking. Health content is clinically reviewed by a minimum of two health content reviewers (for instance, medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, registered nurse, clinical nurse specialist, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant). At least one of the two reviewers must have expertise in the specialty area pertaining to the condition under review. If revisions, updates, or edits are made to new or existing health content, the content is reviewed by two clinicians. Clinical content and health content are reviewed as appropriate when medical advances and/or new guidelines arise.
The review process for health content is as follows:
New health content is sourced by the author. Two clinicians will review the new health content. One of the clinicians is an expert or specialist in the area pertaining to the condition under review.
Existing heath content is reviewed by two clinicians, and one of the clinicians is an expert or specialist in the area pertaining to the condition under review.
Immediate Updates: Clinical content affected by significant new medical knowledge or identified with content errors (not spelling or grammar) is updated expediently. Electronic queries are generated in ERIS and/or the UCR to quickly locate articles that need revisions based on new medical knowledge.
ERIS serves as a mechanism to track and save revisions, updates, or edits made to health content, as well as the date, author, health content reviewer, and editor.
Self-management and Interactive tools - all calculators and condition-related risk assessments, as well as quizzes relating to specific health topics (smoking, weight loss, exercise, immunizations and screenings, pregnancy, stress, depression, and substance and alcohol use) - are also reviewed no later than 24 months from the posting date in the UCR. Other content is reviewed as appropriate, when medical advances or new guidelines arise.
KSW multimedia production has a strong commitment to quality and medical accuracy in its content development, visual representations, and data interaction. Guiding the development process in multimedia content are the same standards and requirements that direct the creation of all health content. Throughout the process of the creation of multimedia content, there are several different script/content reviews by the digital content clinical team.
In production, the clinical staff reviews many visual beta versions of any production product developed by the graphic artists, animators, and programmers. With each step of the process, the clinical team has multiple opportunities to assure medical accuracy of the final product. All interactive multimedia content undergoes user testing by the staff and other consumer users.
KSW-owned multimedia content (animations, interactive tools, and clinical wizards) is reviewed no later than 24 months from the posting date in the UCR by our clinical content staff and other medically appropriate reviewers. Significant new medical knowledge or content errors are immediately addressed by the multimedia team.
Great importance is placed on visuals. Our award-winning art is used to:
Bridge learning barriers - Visuals speak across languages and literacy levels.
Convey key messages - Images reinforce key content.
Tie content and audience together - Offer real-life examples and solutions.
KSW research methods include (journal articles, practice guidelines, subscription databases), consultations with medical experts, attendance at health care association meetings and conferences, professionally conducted surveys, roundtable discussions with industry professionals, and focus groups with both practitioners and end-users of our products.
Our Quality Oversight Committee receives a quarterly report on the medical review process of clinical content from the director of digital content, as well as clinical updates made to accommodate new medical practices and knowledge.
Medical reviewers
KSW medical reviewers - licensed clinically-experienced health care providers - are charged to assure that the content is evidence-based and that recommendations made on a particular topic are consistent across all content on that topic.
To ensure accurate and accessible content, KSW has an in-house team of:
Project manager
Medical Writers
Certified Medical illustrators
Medical editors
Health and clinical content developers
KSW employs a highly skilled team of medical authors, editors, and reviewers; most reviewers are independent contractors. Each medical writer has many years of experience in writing patient education materials for hospitals, health systems, private organizations, and professional organizations. Each advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), physician assistant, or physician also has numerous years of professional experience.
Practice Guidelines we follow
In developing, reviewing, and updating health content, KSW incorporates the current standards of care and practice guidelines of organizations, but not limited to, listed below:
Asthma (includes Allergy):
American Lung Association
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
US Environmental Protection Agency
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
American Lung Foundation
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Bariatric:
American Medical Association
American Society For Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery
Cardiology:
American Heart Association
American College of Cardiology
Department of Health and Human Services
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (US)
American Thoracic Society
Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Dental:
American Dental Association
American Academy of Periodontology
American Society of Reproductive Medicine
American Association of Orthodontists
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
American Academy of General Dentistry
American Academy of Implant Dentistry
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
American Association of Endodontists
American College of Prosthodontics
Dermatology:
American Academy of Dermatology
Diabetes:
American Diabetes Association
American Podiatric Medical Association
International Diabetes Center
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Endocrinology:
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
American Association of Endocrine Surgeons
Eye Care:
American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
American Optometric Association
Eye Surgery Education Council
Gastroenterology:
American College of Gastroenterology
American Cancer Society
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons
Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons
Hematology:
American Society of Hematology
The American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Neurology:
American Academy of Neurology
American Association of Neurological Surgeons
American Stroke Association
OB/GYN:
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopists
American Academy of Family Physicians
National Institutes of Health
American Society of Reproductive Medicine
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology
American Society of Reproductive Medicine
Society of Reproductive Surgeons
North American Menopause Society
Oncology:
American Cancer Society
American Society of Clinical Oncology
National Cancer institute
National Cervical Cancer Coalition
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American Institute for Cancer Research
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons
Orthopedics:
American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American College of Sports Medicine
National Association for Sport and Physical Education
North American Spine Society
Otolaryngology (includes Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery):
American Academy of Otolaryngology ? Head and Neck Surgery
American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology
American Rhinologic Society
The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.(a.k.a. The Triological Society, Inc.)
American Head and Neck Society
American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy
The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Pain Medicine:
American Pain Society
The American Academy of Pain Medicine
American Society of Anesthesiologists
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Association of Academic Physiatrists
Pediatrics:
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Medical Association
Public health (includes infectious disease):
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Social Health Association
Department of Health and Human Services (US)
Food and Drug Administration (US)
US Preventive Services Task Force
Infectious Diseases Society of America
National Institutes of Health (US)
US Environmental Protection Agency
Pulmonary:
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
American Lung Foundation
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
GOLD: Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
American College of Chest Physicians
American Association for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
US Environmental Protection Agency
Surgery, General
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Urology:
American Urological Association
Vascular:
Society of Vascular Surgery
KSW content - whether existing and being updated or new - is intelligently indexed and mapped to MeSH concepts as a common keyword scheme. MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) is an industry-standard vocabulary maintained by the National Library of Medicine.
Sources we use
Sources and publications include, but are not limited to:
Allergies:
Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America
Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology
Middleton Allergy: Principles and Practice
Alternative medicine:
Integrative Medicine
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine
Bariatrics:
Obesity Research & Clinical Practice
Cardiology:
American Heart Association/American Stroke Association
American College of Cardiology
American Association for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Heart Failure Society of America
Heart Rhythm Society
Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions
Society of Thoracic Surgeons
American Association of Thoracic Surgery
American Society of Hypertension
Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals
American Heart Journal
Braunwald's Heart Disease ? A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine
Cardiology Clinics
Circulation (AHA Journals)
Clinical Electrocardiography: A Simplified Approach
Heart, Lung, and Circulation
Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography
Journal Watch for Cardiology
Nadas' Pediatric Cardiology
Pediatric Cardiology for Practitioners
Progress in Cardiovascular Nursing
American Journal of Cardiology
Complementary Medicine:
Integrative Medicine
Textbook of Natural Medicine
Dentistry:
American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Journal of the American Dental Association
Dermatology:
Clinical Dermatology, 5th Edition
Dermatologic Clinics
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Developments in Medicine:
CDC - HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report
Healthcare Informatics
Internet Medicine
JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association
Medical Clinics of North America
New England Journal of Medicine
The Nation's Health
Postgraduate Medicine
Diabetes:
American Diabetes Association
American Podiatric Medical Association
International Diabetes Center
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
American Association of Diabetes Educators
Endocrine Society
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
National Kidney Foundation
The Diabetes Educator
ADA: Diabetes Forecast - The Healthy Living Magazine
Diabetes Self-Management
Emergency Medicine:
Annals of Emergency Medicine
American Journal of Emergency Medicine
Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine
Clinical Toxicology
Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America
Rosen's Emergency Medicine
Wilderness Medicine
Haddad and Winchester's Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose
Endocrinology:
Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America
Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Williams Textbook of Endocrinology
Eye Care:
American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery
Eye Surgery Education Council
American Academy of Optometry
Family Practice:
American Family Physician
Annals of Family Medicine
Disease-a-Month
Family Practice Management
Physicians' Desk Reference
Rakel's Textbook of Family Practice
Textbook of Family Practice
Ferri's Clinical Advisor
Gastroenterology:
American College of Gastroenterology
American Cancer Society
American Journal of Gastroenterology
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons
Clinics in Liver Disease
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Gastroenterology Clinics of North America
Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease
General Health and Wellness:
Canadian Medical Association Journal
The Nation's Health
Geriatrics:
Clinics in Geriatric Medicine
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Practice of Geriatrics
Health Statistics:
American Journal of Public Health
The Nation's Health
Statistical Abstract of the United States
U.S. Government Manual
Hematology:
Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice
Hospice and Palliative Care:
Palliative Medicine
Infectious Diseases:
Infectious Disease Clinics of North America
Infectious Diseases Society of America
Lancet Infectious Diseases
Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases
Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Internal Medicine:
Annals of Internal Medicine
American Journal of Medicine
Cecil Textbook of Medicine
Clinical Toxicology
Chest
Clinics in Chest Medicine
Conn's Current Therapy
Current Clinical Medicine
Disease-a-Month
Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2013
Goldman's Cecil Medicine
Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice
Internal Medicine News
Journal of Critical Care
Osler Medical Handbook
Postgraduate Medicine
Practical Guide to the Care of the Medical Patient
Textbook of Respiratory Medicine
Up-To-Date
Laboratory Medicine:
Clinical Laboratory News
Clinical Chemistry
American Association for Clinical Chemistry
Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods
Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures
Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests
Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests
Mental Health:
National Institute of Mental Health
Nephrology:
Brenner and Rector's The Kidney
Journal of the American Society of Nephrology
American Journal of Kidney Diseases
Neurology:
Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice
Lancet Neurology
Neurologic Clinics
Neurology
Pediatric Neurology
Textbook of Clinical Neurology
Nutrition:
Food Insight
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Journal of the American Dietetic Association
Nutrition Action Health Letter
OB/GYN:
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopists
American Academy of Family Physicians
National Institutes of Health
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology
American Society of Reproductive Medicine
North American Menopause Society
American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Clinics in Perinatology
Contemporary OB/GYN
The Female Patient
Gabbe's - Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies
Evidence-based Obstetrics & Gynecology
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America
Oncology:
American Institute for Cancer Research Newsletter
Abeloff's Clinical Oncology
Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America
American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute
Evidence-based Oncology
National Institutes of Health
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Lancet Oncology
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Ophthalmology:
American Journal of Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology Management
Ophthalmology Times
Review of Ophthalmology
Up-To-Date
Yanoff & Duker - Ophthalmology
Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery:
American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American Journal of Sports Medicine
Arthritis Today
Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics
Clinics in Sports Medicine
DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery
Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
National Association for Sport and Physical Education
North American Spine Society
National Osteoporosis Foundation
Orthopaedic Nursing
Orthopedics Today
Scoliosis Research Society
Browner - Skeletal Trauma
Skeletal Trauma in Children
Orthopedic Clinics of North America
Physical Therapy Journal
Podiatry Management
Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America
Skeletal Trauma: Basic Science, Management, and Reconstruction
Otolaryngology:
Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America
Cummings Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Pathology:
Robbins and Cotran Pathology Basis of Disease, Professional Edition
Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods
Patient Education and Care:
American Journal of Health Promotion
American Journal of Managed Care
Conn's Current Therapy
Critical Care Clinics
Critical Care Medicine
Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Ferri's Clinical Advisor
Hospitals and Health Networks
Nursing Made Easy
Ferri: Practical Guide to the Care of the Medical Patient
Primary Care Clinics in Office Practice
Textbook of Primary Care Medicine
Pediatrics:
Clinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care
Harriett Lane Handbook
Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Journal of Pediatrics
Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics
Paediatric Respiratory Reviews
Pediatric Neurology
Pediatric Cardiology for Practitioners
Pediatric Clinics of North America
Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
Principles and Practices of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Skeletal Trauma in Children
Pharmacology:
Advice for the Patient (USP DI: v.2 Advice for the Patient)
Approved Drug Products and Legal Requirements (USP DI, v.3)
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation:
Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Public Health:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Social Health Association
Evidence-based Healthcare and Public Health
Evidence-based Healthcare: A Scientific Approach to Health Policy
CDC - National Center for Health Statistics
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Psychiatry:
Handbook of Medical Psychiatry
General Hospital Psychiatry
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Psychiatric Clinics of North America
Jacobson - Psychiatric Secrets
Pulmonary Medicine:
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
American Lung Association
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
GOLD: Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
American College of Chest Physicians
American Association for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Paediatric Respiratory Reviews
Heart, Lung, and Circulation
Chest
Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine
Radiology:
Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology
Radiologic Clinics of North America
Essentials of Radiology
Rheumatology:
Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology (Book / MD Consult)
Safety:
Family Safety & Health
National Safety Council
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Occupational Safety & Health Administration
National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health
National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety and Health Training
U.S. Chemical Safety Board
Safety + Health
Sports Medicine:
American Journal of Sports Medicine
Surgery, General:
American Society of Anesthesiology
Anesthesiology Clinics
American Journal of Surgery
Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons
General Surgery News
Journal of the American College of Surgeons
Journal of Clinical Anesthesia
Khatri - Operative Surgery Manual
Operative Techniques in General Surgery
Outpatient Surgery Magazine
Sabiston Textbook of Surgery
Surgical Clinics of North America
Trends in Health:
American Journal of Public Health
Trends in Men's Health
Journal of Men's Health
Journal of Men's Health and Gender
Trends in Women's Health
Journal of Women's Health
Urology:
American Urological Association
National Kidney Foundation
American Journal of Kidney Diseases
Brenner & Rector's The Kidney
Campbell-Walsh Urology
Urology
Urologic Clinics of North America
Journal of the American Society of Nephrology
Approved by the Quality Oversight Committee, September 2012
Revised: December 2012
