Medical Writing: What is It? According to the American Association of Medical Writing (AAMC) …
“Medical writing involves the development and production of print or digital documents that deal specifically with medicine or health care. The profession of medical writing calls for knowledge in both writing and science, combining a writer’s creative talent with the rigor and detail of research and the scientific process. “
If you like science, but don’t see your future career working in a research lab, a career as a medical writer may be a great career choice for you.
Medical writers can work within different industries, not limited to but includes hospitals/clinics, government/public health offices, pharmaceutical or research firms, higher education settings or publishing companies. In these sectors, medical writers often find themselves collaborating with cross-functional teams that might involve work with professionals in Corporate Communications, Clinical Operations, Research and Development, Program Management, Quality Assurance, and Medical Affairs.
Medical writing is a career that combines a high level of scientific and technical understanding with excellent communication and organizational skills. The following are sample of some the tasks that Medical Writers might have, taken from real job descriptions :
- Analyzing, interpreting, and presenting clinical and statistical data with appropriate guidance/direction from teams and management (data analysis and visualization)
- Authoring or editing clinical and regulatory documents, ensuring they meet all applicable guidelines. (document creation)
- Creating patient and consumer-facing materials; for example, writing a FAQ, clinical summaries, or safety documentation to educate patients on protocols for taking medicine or to explain preparation for pre-surgical procedures.
- Reviewing and editing documents for grammar, punctuation, and compliance with ICH guidelines, FDA regulations, and Good Clinical Practices (GCP).
- Developing abstracts and manuscripts, as well as creating posters and oral presentations for conferences for peer review.
Advice for Students : Preparation for a Career in Medical Writing …
- Take Relevant Courses: While your major provides a foundation, consider taking additional courses in subjects like medical terminology, statistics, and clinical research.:
- Develop Scientific and Medical Knowledge: Consider majoring in a field like biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a related discipline can give you the background to understand medical terminology and concepts.
- Practice Strong Writing and Editing Skills: Practice by reading and summarizing complex scientific articles, writing research papers, or conducting literature reviews of clinical studies and medical journals then summarizing these for a research team on campus. Learn how to interpret research data and statistics. Look for opportunities to write for your university’s newspaper, a scientific journal published by a student group, or a medical school publication.
- Be Adaptable: Be prepared to write for different audiences and in various formats, such as journal articles, patient education materials, regulatory documents, and promotional content.
- Learn Technical Proficiency and Accuracy: Be skilled with Microsoft Word and learn how to use reference management software to properly cite your sources and manage bibliographies. You must be meticulous in checking facts, grammar, and citations.
- Engage in Volunteer Work: Volunteering at a hospital or health-related organization can give you firsthand experience with the subject matter and a better understanding of the medical field.
- Build a Portfolio: Create a portfolio of your work, including writing samples from your classes, internships, or personal projects. This is essential for demonstrating skills to potential employers.
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