What Does a Medical Writer Do?

A medical writer is responsible for translating complex medical ideas into educational or informative materials for a particular audience. This could mean writing detailed reports for medical experts, or it could mean explaining the science in a way that laypeople will be able to digest.

The material that medical writers produce includes...

• Documents for experts and professionals, such as clinical trial methodologies, medical textbooks and study reports
  
  
• Press releases and articles for websites, newspapers and other media outlets
  
  
• Information for the general public, including patient advice leaflets, healthcare campaign posters and instructional inserts for drugs and medical devices

Medical writers must tailor their language to communicate effectively with the audience for whom the material is produced. For example, clinical trial reports for medical practitioners will require far more technical detail than materials which aim to raise awareness among the general public about a particular disease or health risk.

 

Who employs medical writers?

Medical writers can operate on a freelance basis, but they are also employed across a range of organisations. These include:

• Government departments
• Media agencies
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Healthcare providers
• Publishing companies

 

Medical writer job requirements

At minimum, you will need a bachelor’s degree in a biological or medical science (such as biomedical science, biochemistry, genetics, etc.) to work as a medical writer. This is because it’s essential that medical writers can effectively review and interpret complex medical information and translate it appropriately for the intended audience.

Experience in research or in a preclinical setting is also highly desirable, as is further study at PhD level.

Candidates should also have some experience in medical writing. Specific training for the particular type of medical writing that the role entails may be provided on the job.

 

What skills does a medical writer need?

• Scientific knowledge and effective communication are non-negotiable skills for this role. You must be capable of understanding complex medical information and also have the ability to translate those ideas into language that is suitable for the intended audience.
  
  
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to interpret data.
  
  
• Attention to detail is also essential. Some aspects of medical writing are governed by strict guidelines, and accuracy is always required even when more creative freedom is allowed.
  
  
• Collaboration with others is a core part of this job, especially when gathering information and confirming data, so the ability to work well in a team is crucial.
  
  
• Medical writers must have faultless language skills. Everyone from scientific experts to the general public comes into contact with medical writing. The particular language and jargon used in documents for the former will obviously differ from those targeting the latter. Medical writers need to know when and where to use particular terminology and tone in their communication.
  
  
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage your own workload will also stand you in good stead for a role as a medical writer.