A medical abstract is a brief summary of a medical study or research paper that provides readers with an overview of the studys purpose, methods, results, and conclusions. The purpose of an abstract is to provide readers with a quick understanding of the study so that they can determine if they want to learn more about the research. Medical abstracts should use proper terminology but should also be geared towards readers who may have only a cursory familiarity with the research area. The format of an abstract may vary slightly depending on where it is being submitted, but there are standard guidelines about what should be included. Some institutions limit the abstract by length, request particular formatting, and other submission details. Medical abstracts are used in various contexts, including medical journals, research papers, and medical malpractice cases.