Since our last Top 10 blog in July, there have been nine new entries on the list of most-read articles published in BMJ Open.

Top of the most-read list was a systematic review update by Kim et al. The authors analysed 28 studies from 2015-2025 on patients’ perceptions of physician attire. They concluded that how physicians dressed impacted patients’ perceptions of their professionalism, and their trust and communication. However, this varied by clinical context and other factors, like gender and even clinical speciality.

Fans of the Star Trek franchise may be pleased to know that it’s no longer just sci-fi – coming in second most read was a protocol for the TRICORDER trial by Kelshiker et al., assessing the implementation of an AI-enabled ‘smart’ stethoscope for detection of three cardiovascular diseases, including atrial fibrillation and heart murmurs. The trial is set to conclude by the end of 2025. (For non-Star Trek fans: What is a tricorder?)

Third most-read was a cross-sectional study of over 20,000 people in England and Wales by Bellis et al., demonstrating that lower mental well-being during adulthood was similarly and independently associated with exposure to either physical or verbal abuse in childhood. The authors stress that childhood verbal abuse should be given due consideration when addressing mental health.

Pradelli et al. hold the fourth most-read spot from July 2025 with their systematic review and meta-synthesis of barriers and facilitators of multidisciplinary team working in acute care settings.

New entry at number five, De Soyza et al. present an interesting Communication article (as distinct to the Original Research or Protocol articles that make up the bulk of BMJ Open’s content). The authors present their observations from the National Institute for Health and Care Research Clinical Research Network (NIHR CRN) in delivering research for Multiple Long Term Conditions (MLTC). They write that it is vital to increase the evidence base around the prevention and management of MLTC. They highlight that the UK in particular benefits from a “unique research infrastructure, including support for the stages of planning and delivery of health and care research.”

Sixth most read is a cross-sectional study by Lasater et al. from British Columbia, Canada that promotes the implementation of a minimum nurse-to-patient ratio policy. The authors hope that such a policy could have “the potential to improve patient care safety and retention of nurses.”

At number seven, Marquardt et al. present a protocol for an upcoming scoping review that will explore the timely topic of AI-enabled solutions for maternal health, including an assessment of technology readiness. The authors hope to show the extent to which AI has helped real-world applications in healthcare systems of low and middle income countries.

Yarger et al. come in eighth on the list with a protocol for assessing anxiety in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder using non-invasive biomarkers. Due to complete data collection in mid-2027, the study hopes to fill gaps in our understanding of autistic and non-autistic young people’s daily experiences, using more diverse populations and ecologically valid methods.

New at number nine, Klein et al. present findings from the CORFU study – a prospective cohort study on the scope and severity of post-COVID symptoms across diverse patient groups in the Netherlands. Having analysed 901 participants and 434 controls, the authors showed that post-COVID symptoms were still observed two years later in up to 43% of non-hospitalised COVID patients, and rising to 65% of hospitalised patients.

Zhu et al. are tenth most-read this month with a protocol for a longitudinal observational study that will look at changes in symptom severity, depression, anxiety, and quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing radiofrequency ablation. The authors hope to conclude the study in late 2026.

This text was written without any assistance from AI.