How To Become a Medical Writer

Medical writers are key personnel in the health care and biomedical research fields. They communicate scientific research findings and information about diseases and treatments to a variety of audiences:  health care professionals, regulatory authorities, sales representatives, patients, caregivers, and more. 

Medical writers make scientific information accessible for readers and empower people to make informed decisions about their health.

What Types of Medical Writing Are There?

Medical communicators are key collaborators in a scientific ecosystem where critical research findings and discoveries move from laboratories to the wider world, improving the health and lives of patients and communities.

As the fields of medicine and health care advance, the demand for medical writers increases. 

What Are the Most Important Medical Writer Qualifications?

Writers and editors with a passion for medicine and science are exploring opportunities in the growing field of medical writing.

The explosive growth of health care technology, pharmaceuticals, and other related areas creates multiple possible entry points for writers and editors who possess the skills and qualifications to enter and advance in the field.

Package Inserts: A Medical Writer’s Primer

Medical writers can find vast amounts of information about prescription drugs and biologics from a variety of resources, such as scientific publications, electronic databases, and free online content from sites such as drugs.com.

A challenge for medical writing professionals is sorting through these resources to find information that is accurate and acceptable to use as a reference source when writing content that will ultimately go through medical‑legal review. 

Getting Technical: Is There a Difference Between a Medical Technical Writer and a Medical Writer?

Both terms describe someone who communicates medical and health information to specific audiences.

A medical technical writer is another term used to describe a medical writer. From our perspective, the terms are interchangeable. Medical writing is technical writing for medical and health concepts.

How a Medical Writing Internship Could Help You Break Into the Field

If you're considering a career as a medical writer, there are a few ways to enter this challenging, lucrative field. If you're an experienced communication or medical professional, you're off to a good start. Still, you'll want to spend time exploring professional resources, brushing up on medical terminology, and honing the specific skills necessary for your chosen area of focus.