---
title: The Different Types of Medical Writing Explained
description: What is medical writing? Discover the main types of medical writing, who hires medical writers, and how to explore this rewarding career path.
image: https://blog.amwa.org/hubfs/Blog/what-types-of-medical-writing-are-there-1.jpg
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# The Different Types of Medical Writing Explained
The Different Types of Medical Writing Explained
7:10
Medical writers communicate complex health and science information for specific audiences. They 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. The field spans multiple specialties and career tracks, each with its own expectations, competencies, and pathways.
What is medical writing exactly? How can aspiring medical communicators learn more about this rewarding career?
This blog post outlines the major [types of medical writing](https://info.amwa.org/ultimate-guide-to-becoming-a-medical-writer#what_do_medical_writers_write) and the kinds of organizations that hire medical writers, offering practical ways to explore career pathways.
## **What Is Medical Writing?**
Medical writers gather, interpret, and communicate scientific and medical information to target audiences. Depending on the setting, that work can include regulatory documents, journal articles, patient-facing materials, continuing medical education, promotional content, and grant proposals.
## **What is Medical Technical Writing?**
A medical technical writer is another term that can be used to describe a medical writer. Both terms describe someone who communicates medical and health information to specific audiences.
According to the [US Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/technical-writers.htm), technical writers create how-to documents, journal articles, instruction manuals, and other content to share complex information. Medical writing can be described as a form of technical writing for medical and health concepts.
## **6 Common Types of Medical Writing**
Common professional areas for medical writers are
1. [**Regulatory writing**](https://info.amwa.org/a-medical-communicators-guide-to-regulatory-writing)**:** Medical writers in this specialty area write and edit documents required by regulatory agencies, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), supporting the approval process for drugs, biologic agents, and medical devices. They often work at pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies, and contract research organizations (CROs).
2. [**Scientific publications**](https://blog.amwa.org/how-to-master-scientific-publications-a-medical-writers-bag-of-tricks)**:** Some medical communicators work with physicians and other researchers to write and edit manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals as well as posters, abstracts, and oral presentations for medical conferences. Others develop summaries of conference sessions and news and feature articles for professional audiences. Medical communicators in this niche area may work at academic or health care institutions or pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical device companies.
3. [**Health communication**](https://blog.amwa.org/5-tips-for-being-an-excellent-health-communication-specialist)**:** Medical writers focused on health communication write and edit materials for lay audiences, including patient education, decision aids, public health communication, website content, medical and health news, news releases, and public relations and communications materials. Settings they work in include health care institutions, public health offices, government agencies, publishers, and media outlets.
4. [**Continuing education**](https://blog.amwa.org/best-practices-for-writing-cme-needs-assessments) **for professionals:** Some medical communicators create documents for continuing education (CE) activities for physicians and other health care professionals, including needs assessments, slide decks, and outcomes analyses. Others may write training materials for staff in pharmaceutical and biotech settings. These medical writers often work at medical education companies, academic institutions, health care centers, or pharma and biotech companies.
5. [**Promotional writing**](https://blog.amwa.org/how-to-become-a-medical-copywriter)**:**Sometimes called medical copywriters or marketing writers, these medical communicators create materials to promote drugs, interventions, or medical devices, including marketing and advertising pieces for diagnostic or therapeutic products. These writers work at pharma, biotech, and medical device companies or medical communications firms. Other medical communicators in this area may write press releases and strategic communications in health care organizations or in corporate settings.
6. [**Grant writing**](https://blog.amwa.org/introduction-to-grant-proposal-writing)**:** Medical communicators in grant writing create and edit grant proposals to fund scientific research. They work in settings ranging from academic and health care institutions to private foundations, advocacy groups, and professional associations.
We’ve discussed different kinds of medical writing and places where medical communicators working in each area may work. In general, what types of organizations hire medical writers? Here’s a look at common employers.
## **Who Employs Medical Writers?**
Medical writers work in many types of organizations, including
- [**Pharmaceutical industry**](https://blog.amwa.org/expand-your-skills-to-write-for-the-pharmaceutical-industry)**:** Drug companies, medical device manufacturers, and biotechnology companies
- **Contract research organizations (CROs):** Research services supporting pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotechnology industries
- **Medical writing companies:** Regulatory writing organizations that support clients like pharmaceutical and medical device companies and CROs
- **Medical and health communication agencies:** Consultants to the pharmaceutical industry, helping raise awareness of medicines through promotional and marketing campaigns, and to businesses and government entities, designing health information for the public
- [**Medical education companies**](https://blog.amwa.org/best-practices-for-writing-cme-needs-assessments)**:** Organizations that provide continuing medical education for health care professionals
- **Health care organizations:** Academic medical centers, hospitals, clinics, and managed care organizations
- **Professional associations:** Associations that serve health care professionals, such as the American Heart Association or the American Academy of Physician Assistants
- **Patient advocacy groups:** Organizations that work on behalf of patients and their families, such as the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition
Working as a freelance medical writer in any of these niche areas is often an option.
**The Freelance Medical Writing Pathway**
[Freelance medical writers](https://blog.amwa.org/5-tips-to-start-your-own-freelance-medical-writing-business) work independently for a range of clients, either specializing in one area or supporting several. This career path offers flexibility and can be a strong entry point for experienced communicators looking to move into medical writing.
## **Learning Opportunities for Medical Writers**
To explore medical writing specialty areas, AMWA offers [online learning opportunities](https://www.amwa.org/page/Education) and resources:
- The [Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Medical Writer](https://info.amwa.org/ultimate-guide-to-becoming-a-medical-writer): a guide to discover fundamental skills, access key resources, and advance in the medical communication profession
- The [Essential Skills Certificate](https://info.amwa.org/medical-communication-essential-skills-for-success): a pathway to develop skills for a career in medical communication
- The [Medical Writer Certified (MWC®) credential](https://www.amwa.org/page/MWC): a rigorous exam-based professional certification for experienced medical communicators
These resources can help you explore niche areas in medical writing, build core skills, and plan your next career steps.
*AMWA acknowledges the contributions of Jodie Rothschild and Cyndy Kryder, MS, MWC, for peer review in the development of this AMWA resource.*
---
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Categories: [Career development](https://blog.amwa.org/tag/career-development), [Getting Started](https://blog.amwa.org/tag/getting-started)
January 19, 2026 at 8:30 AM
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