How to Become a Medical Content Writer

If you have a passion for writing and a keen interest in health care, a career as a medical content writer could be perfect for you. The demand for quality medical content writers is ever-growing. Whether it’s blog posts, scientific journal articles, or patient education materials, the need for accurate and engaging medical content is constant.

In this post, we’ll explore what medical content writing is and what a medical content writer does. We’ll also offer some valuable tips on breaking into this rewarding field.

What Is Medical Content Writing?

Medical content writing involves creating informative and engaging content on health-care topics. This task can encompass a wide range of materials, including the following.

1. Continued medical education (CME) materials: Some medical content writers produce copy for CME resources, such as textbooks and elearning modules. These resources are designed to help medical professionals maintain their knowledge and learn about new developments in their field. For example, Harvard University offers a variety of accredited CME courses. 
2. Patient educational materials: Content writers may also write health education resources for patients, for example, brochures or posters. These materials are often distributed in health-care settings to help patients understand their medical conditions and treatment options and preventive measures they may take. For instance, the CDC has a number of resources on vaccines and immunizations.
3. Health-care blog posts: Many health-care organizations maintain blogs to provide valuable information on topics such as nutrition, exercise, disease management, and mental health. For example, HCA Healthcare runs a health-care and well-being blog. 
4. Scientific articles: Medical content writers may also contribute to peer-reviewed journals by writing research articles, literature reviews, or case studies. For example, a writer may contribute to a literature review of treatment options for a specific medical condition, such as malaria.
5. Website content: From hospital websites to pharmaceutical company pages, there is a constant need for well-written content that informs and engages visitors. For example, a writer may contribute to hospital websites by creating informative pages about the hospital’s services, facilities, and health-care providers. Here’s an example from Great Ormond Street Hospital in the UK. 

Of course, the above list isn’t exhaustive. Medical content writers can contribute magazine and newspaper articles, medical reports, scientific grants and proposals, and more. They may also work in a specific medical niche, such as regulatory writing, medical marketing, or medical journalism.

What Does a Medical Content Writer Do?

The day-to-day tasks of a medical content writer can vary depending on the specific role and organization. However, typical responsibilities may include the following.

1. Keeping up with the latest health-care advancements: The medical field is ever-changing. If you want your content to be accurate, timely, and relevant, you need to keep up with the latest health-care research and developments. There are many ways to stay up to date, from reading journals to attending webinars and joining online communities. For instance, The Lancet publishes medical journals on a wide range of subjects. It also hosts live and on-demand webinars that bring together researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and other subject matter experts.
2. Researching and understanding complex medical topics: Let’s say the writer needs to create content explaining the action mechanism of a new medication for treating hypertension. The medication works by blocking a specific enzyme involved in the regulation of blood pressure. The writer might do the following.
   
   a) Start by conducting thorough research on hypertension, including its causes, symptoms, and current treatment options. The writer may also delve into the pharmacology of the new medication, studying how it interacts with the body to lower blood pressure.
   
   b) Once they’ve gathered the necessary information, the writer breaks down the complex medical concepts into more digestible chunks. They might use analogies or everyday language to explain difficult concepts. For example, they could compare the enzyme-blocking action of the medication to a lock on a door used to prevent intruders from entering a house.
   
   c) To aid understanding, the writer may include diagrams or illustrations that represent the action mechanism of the medication. This option could involve creating simple diagrams showing how the enzyme interacts with the medication to inhibit its activity and lower blood pressure. 
   
   d) The writer can contextualize the information by explaining why understanding the action mechanism of the medication is important for patients and health-care professionals. The writer may emphasize how this knowledge can help patients make informed decisions about their treatment and help health-care providers prescribe medications more effectively. 
   
   e) Before finalizing the content, the writer should review it to ensure clarity and accuracy. They may simplify complex language or concepts further if necessary, always keeping the intended audience in mind.
   
3. Proofreading and editing: Medical content writers must create content that is accessible to the target audience, accurate, and clear. Being able to proofread and edit your own work is essential. This means:
   
   a) Writing in an appropriate tone and explaining jargon – or identifying alternative language – where necessary.
   
   b) Making sure the content is well organized and has a logical flow.
   
   c) Identifying credible sources and fact-checking material to ensure all claims and data are accurate.
   
   d) Knowing how to use medical style guides and accurately cite sources.
   
   e) Reviewing content for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
   
4. Collaborating with subject matter experts: Medical content writers often work closely with health-care professionals, researchers, and other experts to ensure the accuracy and relevance of their content.
5. Optimizing content for SEO: Understanding search engine optimization (SEO) principles is essential for ensuring that online medical content reaches its intended audience. The content needs to be relevant to the audience; think about what your target audience is searching for and make sure you include relevant keywords associated with the topic.

How to Become a Medical Content Writer

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in medical content writing, here are some tips to help you get started.

1. Learn Medical Terminology

Gain a solid understanding of medical terminology. Become familiar with commonly used medical terms and concepts so you can communicate with patients, health-care professionals, and other readers effectively.

Here are a few examples of key medical terminology:

Anatomy and Physiology Terms

• Cardiovascular system
• Respiratory system
• Digestive system
• Nervous system
• Musculoskeletal system 

Diagnostic Procedures and Tests

• X-ray
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (or MRI)
• Blood test
• Biopsy
• Electrocardiogram (or ECG/EKG) 

Medical Treatments and Interventions

• Medications (e.g., antibiotics, analgesics)
• Surgery
• Physical therapy
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy

Medical Terminology Prefixes, Suffixes, and Root Words

• Prefixes: hyper (“excessive”), hypo (“deficient”), dys (“difficult” or “painful”).
  For example, hypoglycemia.
• Suffixes: itis (“inflammation”), ectomy (“removal”), algia (“pain”), emia (“blood condition”).
  For example, appendicitis.
• Root words: cardio (“heart”), derm (“skin”), neur (“nerve”), osteo (“bone”).
  For example, osteoporosis.

Drug and Medication Terminology

• Generic name
• Brand name
• Dosage
• Side effects
• Contraindications

2. Hone Your Writing Skills

There are lots of ways to hone your writing skills. Pay particular attention to clarity, accuracy, and tone – mastering these three areas is essential, regardless of your content writing niche. These areas are particularly important in medical content writing due to the complexity and sensitivity of the subject matter.

Clarity

Clarity refers to the writer’s ability to convey their message in a clear and understandable manner. In medical content writing, clarity is crucial because the information being communicated often has significant implications for the reader’s health and well-being. In the world of SEO, medical writing is an example of YMYL – Your Money or Your Life – content. This content could significantly impact a person’s financial stability, health, or safety.

Medical content writers must strive to present complex medical concepts and terminology in a way that is accessible to their target audience, which may include patients, caregivers, or health-care professionals. Clear communication helps readers comprehend important information, make informed decisions, and take appropriate actions regarding their health.

Accuracy

Accuracy is paramount in medical content writing because inaccuracies or misinformation can have serious consequences. Medical content writers must ensure that the information they provide is scientifically accurate, evidence-based, and up to date. This responsibility requires thorough research and fact-checking to verify the validity of medical claims and data.

Additionally, medical content writers must be diligent in citing credible sources to support their statements and claims. By maintaining accuracy in their writing, medical content writers uphold professional standards, build trust with their audience, and contribute to the dissemination of reliable health-care information.

Tone

Tone refers to the writer’s attitude or voice as expressed in their writing. In medical content writing, tone plays a significant role in establishing rapport with the audience and conveying empathy and understanding. The tone should be appropriate for the intended audience and purpose of the content. For example, in patient education materials, a warm and empathetic tone may prove effective in reassuring and comforting readers. Conversely, in scientific articles or research papers, a formal and objective tone is typically preferable to maintain professionalism and credibility. By carefully considering tone, medical content writers can engage their audience, foster trust, and effectively communicate key messages.

We suggest reading as much medical-related writing as you can. Doing so will familiarize you with high-quality writing, especially if your writing isn’t quite up to standard. For example, you could study medical journals related to your chosen niche. Honing writing skills will be a prerequisite for building a portfolio, which we’ll discuss later.

3. Develop a Niche

Finding your niche in medical content writing is critical. Specializing in a specific area of health care allows you to focus on a targeted clientele, making the development of a marketing strategy much easier. There are two main ways to niche down; you can choose:

1. A style of writing (such as medical journalism or marketing)
2. A subject area (such as mental health, cardiology, or oncology)

We suggest considering a wide range of medical-related niches to find one that’s right for you.

4. Build a Portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of samples of your work. When you apply for freelance writing jobs, you can count on potential clients requesting samples of your writing. Your portfolio is an opportunity to demonstrate your writing ability and subject matter expertise. The portfolio can include work you’ve produced for other clients, spec pieces, or even example pieces (if you don’t have much published work yet). 

Most people opt to create a digital portfolio, which potential clients and employers can access easily. You can design your own website from scratch or customize existing templates to suit your needs. Your website should include:

• Information about you
• Your portfolio
• The services you offer
• Pricing information
• Contact details 
• Links to your social media platforms

You can still add to your portfolio if you don’t have much medical writing experience. As we mentioned, one way to do this is by creating example pieces. You could start a blog to showcase your skills and expertise and write posts on trending health-care topics or share your writing on LinkedIn Pulse. Other options include writing on-spec pieces, guest posting, and cold pitching content managers in your niche.

5. Networking in Your Industry

Would you like to discover job opportunities and build valuable connections in the health care industry? We can’t adequately stress the importance of networking. Attend conferences, join professional associations, and connect with health-care professionals on social media platforms, such as LinkedIn. 

It’s a good idea to join associations that offer online courses, webinars, and workshops. Examples include the American Medical Writers Association and the European Medical Writers Association. Both charge an annual subscription fee, but the education benefits are likely worth the financial investment. Additionally, these associations help find events for offline networking.

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