Snapshot of Tools Available for Medical Writers and Editors

Medical writing is a vast field with many specific niches ranging from preparing grants to reviewing regulatory documentation and everything in between. Depending on where you are in your career and how varied your role is, it can be overwhelming to try and find all the necessary tools you need to complete your tasks.

How do I get into the field of medical writing or editing?

If you’re a newly minted PhD or MD – or perhaps just looking for a career change – trying to find your way into a new field can be incredibly daunting. There are many paths to becoming a medical writer or editor; the first step is making sure you have a resume prepared and writing samples available for the type of work you’d like to do. Once you have that under your belt, there are several areas to look for jobs outside of the typical online job boards or social media platforms.

Where can I find a medical writing or medical editing job?

• Association Job Boards – Professional organizations such as the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) and the European Medical Writers Association (EMWA) provide job boards that allow institutions to advertise only to their members. This allows the job posters some security in the type of people they are attracting and gives job seekers a higher chance of being contacted.
• Email Lists – There are independent organizations that provide regular email updates regarding jobs. One such example is the HittList, a weekly newsletter containing available medical writing jobs for its subscribers.
• Freelancing – For those who aren’t looking for a full-time role, or would rather work for themselves, freelancing is the best way to. Many medical writers and editors work at independent contractors. Professional associations (e.g., AMWA and EMWA) provide freelance directories for individuals and institutions looking to hire; only members may be listed, providing a more unique opportunity.

What sort of education is available for medical writers and editors?

Keeping up with current techniques, research, and styles is important for anyone in the medical communication field. Webinars and newsletters are a great way to keep up to date with recent breakthroughs, and if your budget allows, attending a few conferences a year will also give you a chance to see up-and-coming research. There are more involved options for long-term education as well.

• University Programs – If you are looking for a formal program that awards a certificate at the end, both the University of Chicago and the University of California San Diego offer graduate level programs for medical writing and editing. UChicago also includes courses for clinical trials management and regulatory writing. Many other schools also offer short, less intense courses at a lower price point.
• Professional Associations – AMWA and EMWA both have expansive libraries for their members. These include articles and papers, webinars, and courses for specialized topics within the fields. Additionally, they also host in-person events such as forums and industry meet-and-greets to promote connections and in person learning.

What software is the most helpful for medical writers and editors?

Of course, the most key piece of software is a word processing program that is comfortable to you and compatible with your clients’ work. It’s also incredibly important to be able to view PDFs and spreadsheets. There are many options for these tools, but most people already have a preference by the time they’ve finished their education. There are also some more unique tools that medical communication professionals will find to be useful.

• Medical Dictionaries – A medical dictionary is incredibly useful if you are working as a freelancer or with a company that takes on a broad spectrum of researchers. There are many options for medical dictionary software, ranging from free to a small subscription. Stedman’s Medical Dictionary is one of the most well-known databases. (Of course, you can also get a physical dictionary, but the software version will be easier to search!)
• Referencing Software – Depending on your career path, you may already have a favorite referencing software by the time you become a medical writer or editor. If you don’t, there are many options that allow you to compile and organize references while writing: EndNote, Mendeley, and Zotero generally offer the same services with small differences, allowing you to customize your experience.
• Management Software – Management software can be incredibly helpful if you are balancing multiple clients or multiple projects at once. MindManager can be used to create mind maps and project planning. Smartsheet allows for project management with different templates that can be shared with clients. Notion is available both on your desktop and as an app; with multiple templates, it allows for time management as well as breaking down projects step by step. The best management software is going to be the one that makes it simpler for you to get through your workday.

Perhaps the most important tool of all is one that allows you to back up your work! A cloud-based back-up system or a secondary hard drive are both worthy options – but having your work in an accessible place if the worst happens will save you a lot of stress down the road.