If you have strong writing skills and a background in the
scientific or medical fields, becoming a medical writer could be a great career
path for you. Learn more about the position.
What Is Medical Writing?
Medical writing is a profession that entails creating
scientific, educational, and promotional materials for the health care, medical
device, or pharmaceutical industries. To write documents that are
understandable to their intended audience, medical writers must be able to
interpret clinical trials and other medical information (e.g., regulators,
physicians, patients, or the general public).
Other job titles with similar job descriptions to medical
writer include medical communicator, technical writer, health care journalist,
and health care marketer.
What Does a Medical Writer Do?
A medical writer's responsibilities vary depending on the
type of medical writing they pursue, but the following are some common medical
writer responsibilities:
Communicates complex data to target audiences: Medical
writers must analyze scientific data and clinical research using their
knowledge of medical terminology and concepts. The writer then tailors their
writing style to the intended audience based on the document's intended recipient.
A medical writer, for example, would use far more technical language when
writing a document for a physician than for a patient.
Ensures that documents comply with publication standards:
The medical writer must adhere to structure, content, and format guidelines to
ensure that their documents meet the appropriate regulatory and editorial
standards for that type of document.
Working with subject matter experts: Medical writers
frequently collaborate with researchers, scientists, and doctors to determine
the best way to communicate medical information.
4 Types of Medical Writing
If you're considering a career in medical communications,
you should be aware of the following job classifications:
1. Educational medical writing: This type of medical writing
focuses on documents designed to educate health care professionals and patients
about medications and medical devices. Medical textbooks, medical journals,
sales pamphlets for new drugs, and course literature for Continuing Medical
Education (CME) programs are all examples of educational medical content.
2. Medical journalism: This category includes
general-interest magazine and newspaper articles. Unlike medical journal
articles, which contain more scientific writing, these articles ensure that
even those with no medical background can understand the content.
3. Medical marketing: Medical marketing writers create
content to aid in the sale of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Medical
marketing content examples include sales force training manuals and brochures found
in doctors' offices.
4. Regulatory medical writing: To get their products
approved, regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
require medical device and pharmaceutical companies to create regulatory
submission documents. Clinical study reports, safety and efficacy summaries,
subject narratives, and drug package inserts are examples of regulatory
documents.
How to Become a Medical Writer
There is no set path to landing a medical writing job, but
here are some steps you can take to put yourself on the best path possible:
1. Earn a degree in medicine, science, or English. Medical
writers are typically sought after by recruiters who have a bachelor's degree
in a medical or life science field, such as biochemistry. A writing degree in
journalism or English is also beneficial, but you will still need work
experience in the medical field to supplement it. Not all medical writers have
advanced degrees, but many do, and obtaining one will make you a more appealing
candidate.
2. Take medical writing courses. There are numerous
online medical courses available to help you learn the intricacies of medical
writing. The American Medical Writers Association is one of the most reputable
organizations that offers courses (AMWA). The more writing experience you have,
the better, so look into general courses in scientific and technical writing.
3. Identify your market niche. It would be nearly impossible
to be well-versed in every aspect of the medical field. Choose a specialization
where you believe you will excel the most based on your skill set and
interests.
4. Acquaint yourself with the correct terminologies and
technical guidelines. Once you've found your niche, educate yourself on medical
terminology and technical guidelines specific to your field of medical writing.
These guidelines can be found on the websites of the appropriate regulatory
agencies (such as the FDA) or the International Council for Harmonisation of
Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH).
5. Volunteer at a medical research organization. Gain
experience in the medical research field before applying for medical writing
jobs. To expand your knowledge, look for entry-level positions at research
organizations or as a lab assistant.
6. Assemble a portfolio. Before hiring you, employers
will want to see examples of your writing, so put together a portfolio that
demonstrates your ability to do the job effectively. It's fine if you've never
officially published anything before. You can always create a sample document
for your portfolio.
7. Become a member of the American Medical Writers
Association. Joining AMWA will assist you in obtaining medical writing
certifications as well as professional resources that will advance your career
opportunities. If you live in Europe, the European Medical Writers Association
(EMWA) serves a similar function.
8. Job hunt using your network. Finding consistent work
in the medical writing field requires a large professional network. Attend
meetups and conferences where you can meet hiring companies with your AMWA
membership. Maintain contact with former coworkers in the medical industry, and
use job boards and social media platforms to find potential job opportunities.
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