Medical writing is a highly specialized area of content writing that requires a specific set of skills. If you’re an aspiring medical writer, then these tips are what you need to really master the art of medical writing and secure your next job.
What do medical writers write about?
For those who aren’t well versed in the world of medical writing, you may need an introduction.
Medical writers are a crucial part of the medical industry, as they act as a middle man between research institutions and medical professionals. This means whenever there is a development in the scientific community, be it a new vaccine or research breakthrough, medical writers are on hand to transform pages of data and scientific jargon into digestible, informative content that can be used in the real world.
Medical writers cover everything from informational blogs, to e-books and press releases about their company or client’s innovation or research findings, so it’s a role that is always varied. Adept writers with a scientific background make great medical writers as there is a huge technical element to the job that requires a thorough understanding of medical and scientific principles.
Where can medical writers work?
Medical writers can work in a variety of different fields that need research and updates conveyed in layman’s terms for medical professionals or even the general public. This means that you’ll find medical writing roles in pretty much any medicine or science-related company or industry, from pharmaceuticals to healthcare.
- In-house at a research facility – medical writers are the go-to for announcing and explaining any new findings.
- In pharmaceuticals – medical writers can write anything from the information pamphlet that comes with the medication to blogs for pharmaceutical companies.
- For medical institutions – healthcare institutions such as the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK are an authority on medical knowledge and advice, so will need strong writers to get their messages to the general public.
- For private healthcare providers – similar to healthcare institutions, medical writers are needed to communicate accurate and engaging information to readers.
- For technical content agencies – many medical companies outsource their content needs to agencies that have a team of experts in various medical fields to cover their topics.
Tips for good medical writing
The content industry is quite competitive, with the bar being quite high for good medical writing. But with these tips, you can ensure that your content is the cream of the crop.
Know your stuff
This seems obvious but is crucial. Whether you want to specialize in a particular medical field or write about a range of topics, ensuring that you have a detailed knowledge base will not only make your content better but make you a more efficient writer too.
Be accurate
Accuracy is of the utmost importance in most writing industries but is even more vital when it comes to medical writing. Not only do medical institutions and companies have a duty of care for patients to provide accurate information, but dispersing inaccurate information can have a significant impact on a company’s reputation.
Stay up to date with developments
Whatever your industry, a good medical writer stays in the know about the latest updates and developments in their industry. This will enable your writing to always be current and accurate, which we’ve already established the importance of.
Keeping these things in mind will enable you to create the best possible medical writing.