Most Influential JAMA Papers (2026-03 Version)

2026-03-31 · Source: Resources | Paper Digest · Field: Health & Wellbeing — Clinical Care & Medical Practice, Public Health & Epidemiology, Medical Devices & Health Technology · Depth: Intermediate, extended

Summary

Paper Digest has compiled a list of the 10 most influential papers published annually in JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, from 2012 through 2025, based on citations from research papers and granted patents. The list, updated as of March 2026, highlights key advancements across various medical fields. Notable papers from 2025 include "New Guidance on Responsible Use of AI" (IF:6) and the "CONSORT 2025 Statement" (IF:4). Earlier influential works cover topics such as COVID-19 characteristics and treatments (2020), diagnostic guidelines for sepsis (2016), and obesity prevalence trends in the US (2014). Paper Digest, a pioneer since 2018, also offers daily digest services and research tools for reading, writing, and literature reviews.

Key takeaway

For medical researchers and clinicians seeking to stay current with high-impact findings, regularly reviewing these curated lists can pinpoint foundational and emerging research. Focus on papers with high "IF" scores and those addressing critical public health issues or new technological applications like AI in healthcare to inform your practice or research direction.

Key insights

Citation analysis reveals top JAMA papers, highlighting trends in medical research and clinical practice.

Principles

• Citation count reflects research influence.
• Guidelines drive clinical practice changes.

Method

Paper Digest automatically ranks papers by citations from research and patents, updating frequently to reflect current influence.

In practice

• Consult top-ranked papers for foundational knowledge.
• Utilize Paper Digest tools for efficient research.

Topics

• JAMA Influential Papers
• Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
• Clinical Guidelines
• Oncology Research
• Metabolic & Chronic Diseases

Best for: Research Scientist, Domain Expert, AI Scientist

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Resources | Paper Digest.