Editorial Process
How EARS content moves from idea → publish → review → maintenance. We keep the process transparent so you can judge trustworthiness at a glance.
The simple version
We publish helpful content as soon as it meets baseline safety and clarity standards, then we label it so you can see what level of review it has. Most pages move through AI Draft → Clinician-edited → Clinically reviewed. For non-English pages, you may also see Translation available or Translation verified.
What the labels mean (canonical)
- AI Draft AI-assisted draft that has not yet had clinician editing. Useful for orientation, but not a substitute for clinical advice. More about AI Draft.
- Clinician-edited First pass by one clinician. Edited for clarity, safety framing (“when to get checked”), and consistent routing across EARS.
- Clinically reviewed Second pass by review team. An additional clinician (UCSF or trusted collaborator) has reviewed for medical accuracy and safety framing. English/source version is considered finalized, but still updated as science changes.
- Translation available A non-English version exists but has not yet been verified by a professional translator/medical interpreter. It may be AI-assisted and should be treated as a helpful draft until verified.
- Translation verified This language version has been reviewed by a professional translator/medical interpreter for meaning, tone, and medical terms.
How to read labels on translated pages
Review labels describe the source (usually English) review status. On non-English pages, look for Translation verified when a human translator has verified that specific language page. If a non-English page does not show it, that language version may still be an AI-assisted translation pending verification.
The workflow (a guideline, not a rigid pipeline)
Tools and guides follow the same logic, even when the format differs. This is the typical pathway. In real life, steps can happen in a different order—so we label pages based on what has actually been done so far.
We focus on common patient questions, confusing care pathways, and high-impact decision points.
We anchor content to reputable medical sources and guidelines (not marketing).
AI may help with a first draft. Humans revise for plain language, accuracy framing, and usefulness.
We check clarity, link routing, safety language (“when to get checked”), and consistency across EARS.
If it’s helpful now and meets baseline safety/clarity standards, we publish—then keep improving. Labels change as review progresses.
A second clinician reviews for medical accuracy, clinical appropriateness, and risk framing when the topic is higher-stakes.
When translated pages exist, we aim for professional translator/medical interpreter verification of that specific language page.
We update as evidence changes, links change, and user feedback reveals confusion or missing context.
What gets additional clinical review (and what may not)
Clinical guidance, “when to get checked” language, and any content that could change medical decisions or safety.
Navigation pages, general explanations, and site infrastructure pages—when the content is stable, non-clinical, and low-risk.
Safety is always routed
Regardless of label, urgent symptom routing stays consistent across EARS. For hearing/tinnitus/balance red flags, use /en/emergency.
Corrections and feedback
We treat feedback as part of maintenance. If something seems confusing, wrong, or missing:
- Email [email protected] with the page URL and what you noticed.
- We may update wording, add sourcing, improve safety routing, or add clarifying examples.
Medical disclaimer
EARS is educational and does not provide diagnosis or treatment. If you think you may be having an emergency, call 911 or seek emergency care.
Want the rules behind the process?
See Editorial Standards for sourcing, safety framing, corrections, and accessibility requirements.