Tips to support your career as a medical writer

1. How to be a
successful Medical
Writer?
www.onlinemedicalwriting.com

2. Medical Writing
It’s about clearly communicating clinical and scientific
data and information in written form
"Medical Writing is an adventurous profession, out of
the ordinary and an exciting experience"

3. What does a
medical writer do?
the writer uses his/her
understanding of science/medical
subjects and research skills with a
perceptive of how to present
information and pitch it at the
right level for the target audience
SCIENCE
+
WRITING

4. Who picks up Medical Writing
According to I-CME,
Passionate about
Medical Writing
as a career
Market
Opportunities/job
opportunities
Additional
Source of
income
Researchers
&
Publications

5. Plethora of writings is “Medical Writing”
Types of Medical writing

6. And more…
Patient Education
E-learning
Digital Writing

7. Let’s further divide the pie
I-CME | Types of Medical Writing
Scientific Regulatory Medico-Marketing Consumer Social Media E-Learning

8. Scientific Writing
• Scientific news
• Scientific reviews
• Manuscripts
• Case reports
• Drug monographs
• Abstract writing

9. Regulatory Writing
• Medical writing in clinical
research
• Clinical trial process
• Activities involved in clinical
trial process
• Study designs
• Clinical trial protocol
writing
• Writing for
Pharmacovigilance

10. Medico-Marketing
Writing
• Posters/Brochures
• Sales/Consumer training
materials
• Product ads/Corporate ads
• Leave-behinds/flyers
• Case-studies
• Business insight reports
• Proposal writing
• Public relation materials
• Blogs
• Web content

11. Consumer Writing
• Consumer news
• Consumer reviews
• Blogs
• Newsletters
• Fact sheets
• Care guides

12. Social-Media
Writing
• Developing content for
Social Media
• Using Web Content as
Source Material for Social
Media Content
• How to write for Facebook ,
Twitter , LinkedIn, Blogging

13. E-learning in
medical Writing
• Developing e-learning
courseware
• Storyboarding
• Developing assessment in e-
learning

14. Ability to write
Attention to Detail
Research Skills
Accurate information
Deadline oriented
Creativity
Effective communication
Willing to learn more
Independent worker
Team Worker
Subject understanding
Organising Information
Qualities of a Medical Writer

15. Tips to be a successful Medical Writer
• Complete a formal training course
in medical writing/editing –
Dedicate 6months and stay 5years
ahead
• Take up the internship
opportunities within medical
communications, medical
publishing or similar industry
Note
Training programs
should be able to
provide Assignments
and Assistance from
the mentor/expert
medical writer.

16. Tips to be a successful Medical Writer
• Stay connected with the technical
knowledge
Pharmacology | Therapeutics|
Anatomy and Physiology
• Get familiar with tools –
MS Office , Excel, PowerPoint
Note
Online scientific writing
training is better than
standard face-to-face
instructions in terms of
writing quality and
efficiency.
- BMC

17. Tips to be a successful Medical Writer
• Stay abreast with medical/health and
science industry news
Eg – All medical devices used shall be
regulated as drugs from April,2020
• Develop a habit of reading non-medical
books. This can help you in being creative
with your writing
Note
Not all Medical
Writings necessarily
demand advanced
degrees.
All you need is
curiosity, the ability to
learn, and a
understanding of how
to write well.

18. Tips to be a successful Medical Writer
• Source the evidences from authentic
sites. Generating Medical accurate
content is the key.
.org, .edu, .gov, journals
• Learn the basics of social media
marketing and content strategy.
Patient education is emerging fast.
Note
Benefits of training programs
in medical writing-
• Can give an employer
confidence in your
credibility
• Shows commitment to
continued professional
development

19. Tips to be a successful Medical Writer
• Own a blog ! Keep updating it in
your spare time.
• Have a pal to review your
writing.
• Network! Network! Network!
Note
• Build a strong
LinkedIn profile.
• Be active and make
connections with
the right crowd.
• Get registered in
various freelance
websites.

20. Tips to be a successful Medical Writer
• Be professional about the
assignments/projects you
handle. Adhere to the
timelines
• Maintain transparency with
the team
• Work on the feedbacks
Note
If medical writing interests you
explore resources like –
• AWMA
• Editorial freelance association
• Regulatory Affairs professional
society
• i-cme certification in medical
writing and healthcare
communications
• The university of Chicago
graham school

21. Writing Process – 4 steps for an error free
document
Step 1 Step 2
Prewriting
Drafting
Revising
Refining
Step 3 Step 4

22. 1. Prewriting
● Prewriting is a preparation
done before starting to write
● Strictly done on paper and not
on your computer devices
● A way of organizing one’s
thoughts and beginning to put
the information on a piece of
paper.
● Writers use various prewriting
strategies based on the topic
and the outcome needed

23. 2. Drafting
● Converting prewriting into
coherent sentences and
paragraph.
● Advisable to have a separate
writing area and creative
productive conditions suiting
your comfort
● Have the prewriting material
at hand but be open to new
ideas

24. 3. Refining
● The refining stage involves
editing and proofreading.
● It also involves
implementation of changes
highlighted in revision
stage.
● Give attention to detail and
do changes line by line.

25. 4. Revision
● Revision is to double check
and look at something from
a fresh perspective.
● Writer should think from
readers point-of-view and
evaluate if the outcome
would meet the readers
expectations

26. Following a
writing process
ensures that the
output has a
professional
standard.
Advantages -
 No missing information
 Adherence
 Error-free content
 Reader-centric.
 Well-structured and
logically placed.
 Scannable and readable.

27. From outsider to star
Medical writing is an intriguing career pathway. Your path can be as
good as gold provided if you step out of your comfort zone and
explore the opportunities!
I-CME is known in the industry for it’s medical writing training program
for more than a decade and look forward to support the passionate
writers to way up their career ladder as a MEDICAL WRITER.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!

28. Talk to Medical Writing
experts.
+91- 9000592779
asesh@onlinemedicalwriting.com
www.onlinemedicalwriting.com