What must be disclosed if a medical writer's contributions do not meet authorship criteria?

When a medical writer's contributions do not meet the criteria for authorship, it is important to disclose their name and organization to maintain transparency in the publication process. This acknowledgment allows readers to understand the roles of individuals involved in the research and its reporting. The recognition of the writer's contributions, even if they fall short of authorship qualifications, supports ethical standards in academic publishing and helps avoid any potential conflicts of interest, allowing for a clear distinction between those who conducted the research and those who assisted in writing or editing the manuscript.

Disclosing the funding source of the research contributes to recognizing potential biases but does not specifically address the acknowledgment of medical writers. While a journal’s impact factor can indicate its credibility, it does not relate to the contributions of the medical writer, nor does it serve the same purpose of transparency. The academic credentials of the authors may provide context about their expertise but do not fulfill the purpose of acknowledging the efforts of the medical writer. Therefore, identifying the writer by name and organization is the correct approach for ensuring appropriate recognition in cases where authorship criteria are not met.