Whether you are looking for a job switch from research or academics or are seeking a non-clinical job in the healthcare industry or have excellent writing skills, but never thought it could pay you enough; a career in medical writing is just the right option for you.
A survey conducted by Centre Watch reported that the medical writing market had doubled in size from an appraised $345 million to a surprising $694 million in 2008 and is on a continuous rise. It is the fourth most outsourced service. This has given way to huge opportunities for healthcare professionals and writers in the field of medical writing.
What is Medical Writing?
Medical writing can be defined as, “a technique used to write clinical and scientific information intended for a wide range of audiences in a suitable format.” The target audiences of medical writers range from doctors to patients and from pharmaceutical companies to contract research organizations.
As a medical writer, you are required to utilize your research skills and understanding of medical subjects with a clear perception of how to present it to the intended audience for an impressive result.
Types of medical writing
A broad classification of medical writing includes regulatory and research based documents, disease or drug related educational and promotional literature, articles and content for healthcare websites, health related magazines and news reports. There are different sub categories in medical writing and you can choose any depending on your interests, specific specialization, domain knowledge and skills. The most common types of medical writing which you will come across in the course of this profession are;
Editing and proofreading
Internet content
Journal abstracts and article writing
Medical education materials
Product monographs
Multimedia presentations
Posters
Regulatory documents
Physician speeches and presentation
Sales training manuals
White papers, articles, marketing materials
Medical script writing
Patient education materials
Where can you get job as a medical writer?
The primary place offering jobs for medical writers are pharmaceutical industries, but there are various other workplace settings where you can get a job including;
Academic medical centers, associations and foundations such as IMA, IDA, AMA
Publication houses
Web pages and portals
CRO (Contract Research Organizations) and healthcare BPO
Hospitals
Medical marketing and communication agencies
Medical device companies
Healthcare IT company and healthcare consultancy
Many medical writers are working as freelancers and have the freedom to work partially or completely from home.
Can anyone become a medical writer?
A basic knowledge of medical concepts and great writing skills are the two primary things you should have to become a medical writer. In addition, an academic qualification in the field of life sciences such as medicine, paramedical sciences including pharmacy, microbiology, nutrition and dietetics, biochemistry or biotechnology gives you the correct background to become a medical writer.
Hone your skills
The most important thing for becoming a successful medical writer is to pursue motivated “self-study” but there are short courses or workshops which can be joined for a better understanding of the writing techniques. Some of the organizations offering courses in medical writing are;
InfocusRx
Bioinformatics Institute of India
James Lind Institute
Institute of Computational Biology
SIRO Clinpharm
On the job mentor guided training also gives you an insight and knowledge of the field.