As generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools—like ChatGPT and Gemini—evolve, freelance medical writers are striving to balance new capabilities with professional responsibilities. Whether you're cautiously exploring or fully embracing generative AI tools, knowing how to use them ethically and effectively is critical. With some key insights, AI can become a powerful ally to increase efficiency and build capacity in your freelance medical writing business.
Overview of Generative AI in Medical Writing
Discussions around the responsible use of generative AI in content development—particularly in medical writing and editing—have gained momentum in recent years. From drafting content to copy editing, there are generative AI tools that can support medical communicators in handling repetitive tasks and improving workflow efficiency. An AMWA Journal article by Brian Bass, MWC describes how freelance writers are experimenting with generative AI tools while navigating a rapidly shifting professional landscape.
If you’re thinking about integrating these tools into your own workflow, the following five tips offer practical ways to do so—while ensuring your work continues to earn the trust and confidence of both clients and readers.
Tip #1: Use AI to Assist not Author
A critical issue for freelance medical writers using generative AI is: How do you maintain credibility in content creation? The answer lies in maintaining human oversight. As emphasized in an AMWA blog on ethical AI usage, generative AI tools should assist—not replace—your expertise.
Tools that streamline administrative tasks and generate rough drafts can be helpful, but core tasks like interpreting data, synthesizing information, and ensuring scientific accuracy should remain firmly in the writer’s hands. Medical writers must rely on their subject matter knowledge and critical thinking to verify content, confirm sources, and uphold scientific and regulatory standards. Keep in mind that generative AI tools like ChatGPT can produce errors or even “hallucinate,” so thorough review is a must.
Tip #2: Apply AI Tools to Enhance SEO Strategy
If medical writers create digital content, generative AI can help improve how easily it is found online. Internet search engines now use AI to better understand what people are looking for, so it's important to write with that in mind, especially when writing for public audiences.
Generative AI prompting tools can help you brainstorm keywords, shape content to match common search queries, and suggest ways to structure your text for improved visibility online. These platforms can also surface trending topics and help tailor content for search behavior.
Tip #3: Leverage Generative AI for Research
AI can be a significant time saver when it comes to research. One LinkedIn article on essential AI tools to streamline research for medical writers, by Núria Negrão, PhD, discusses how these technologies can locate relevant research, summarize key findings, and even help build literature reviews. For example, AI can assist with summarizing scientific articles, analyzing citations, and organizing research insights, making it easier to understand and synthesize complex scientific literature.
Tip #4: Know Your Clients' AI Policies
Medical writers may find it helpful to proactively discuss their use of generative AI with clients, depending on how they are using generative AI tools. According to an Authors Guild blog, a good place to start is understanding your client's or publisher's stance on generative AI use. In general, integrating generative AI for brainstorming, copy editing, or idea generation doesn’t typically require disclosure. However, if medical writers are including AI‑generated content in their work, they typically should inform clients and publishers. Publishing contracts commonly require original work, so agreements need to be tailored appropriately.
It’s also important to be aware of privacy and confidentiality when using AI tools. Many free AI tools share data back with their large learning models, which could raise concerns for sensitive or proprietary content. On the other hand, enterprise or closed‑loop tools may offer greater data security. Disclosing significant AI involvement to readers, when appropriate, is also a good practice.
Tip #5: Choose the Right Tools for Your Workflow
With so many generative AI tools available, selecting the most effective ones can be overwhelming. A recent AMWA Journal article by Monica Nicosia, PhD, CMPP, based on her Freelance Medical Communicator Tools of the Trade (FMCTT) survey, described top choices among freelance medical communicators, with ChatGPT emerging as the most popular. Others in use included Bard (now Gemini), DALL‑E, and Copilot.
To choose the right tool, consider the following questions
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What tasks could be more efficient?
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Thinking about your work patterns, what features do you need to have? For instance, do you need to access the tool via your phone?
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What does the tool cost, and is this a one‑time fee or subscription‑based model?
To evaluate options
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Make a list of must‑have features.
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Ask peers what they use, and check multiple sources for tool reviews.
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Try before you commit—many platforms offer free trials.
Final Thoughts: Keeping Up With AI in Medical Writing
Freelance medical writers who integrate generative AI into their workflows can become more efficient, adaptable, and future‑ready. By maintaining transparency with clients and using these tools to enhance—not solely create—health care content, you’ll build trust and maintain high standards. For additional guidance on external guidelines and evolving best practices, check out this authorship blog on AI in medical writing.
As generative AI capabilities continue to advance, staying informed is important. Joining a professional organization like AMWA is an easy way to keep pace with industry changes, connect with peers, and continue building a successful freelance career.
Below, you'll find a list of current tools being used in the freelance medical writing space. Please note, AMWA does not make specific recommendations or endorsements of any products.
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ChatGPT
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Perplexity
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CoPilot
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Grammerly
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Assistant by Scite
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Jenni
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Consensus
