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Medical Writing for Smart People: Because Dummies Shouldn't Write About Medicine
Medical Writing for Smart People: Because Dummies Shouldn't Write About Medicine
Medical Writing for Smart People: Because Dummies Shouldn't Write About Medicine
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Medical Writing for Smart People: Because Dummies Shouldn't Write About Medicine

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If you are a relatively active member of society, you are frequently asked what you do for a living. I have used a variety of responses over the years and reactions range from glazed eyes to genuine curiosity. If I am feeling cheeky I will respond simply,"I am a writer." People get excited and ask if they would have read anything that I have written. Not being entirely well behaved I mention a popular series on hepatobiliary disease and let them sort it out. Once I was asked if I write the prescription information on pill bottles. I replied that I can't write that tiny and just walked away.

I have been writing professionally for almost 20 years and I am beginning to appreciate the journey. I didn't approach the job as clear of conscience as I do now. Medicine in the US is a business--a profit generating commodity driven enterprise. Depending on your client you are reminded with every word you write. Perhaps you are a curious observer or boldly entering the field from the lofty perch of academia or clinical medicine. A medical writer develops content about either the practice of clinical medicine, clinical research, or the health policy and economics that influence decisions at the point of care. You my friend, can now have a front row seat.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherBonny McClain
Release dateJul 3, 2015
ISBN9781310917103
Medical Writing for Smart People: Because Dummies Shouldn't Write About Medicine
Author

Bonny McClain

Transitioning early in her career from a chiropractor working with pediatric patients to a bench scientist in population genetics, Bonny has worked in academia/medicine, industry, and medical education in many therapeutic areas. As a medical writer specializing in infectious disease/HIV her responsibilities and skills evolved into executive roles within medical education and a career developing analytical insights and actionable data-driven recommendations into content media, industry reports and powerful market access documentation. Writers of all stripes and backgrounds seek to expand platforms and genres. Medical and science writing opportunities have exploded as digital publishing and an evolving healthcare ecosystem drive communication channels for a variety of stakeholders. There are plenty of books out there if you think the secrets to a writing career live in platitudes or listicles promising riches and fame if you follow, subscribe, or attend a marketing event. Medical Writing for Smart People Because Dummies Shouldn't Write About Medicine is an honest contextualized book about careers in medical writing. If you want to get started or grow your business check out the free resources and best practices--and stay for the humor and straightforward guidance!

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    Book preview

    Medical Writing for Smart People - Bonny McClain

    Medical Writing for Smart People

    Because dummies shouldn’t write about medicine

    Copyright 2015 Bonny P McClain

    Published by Bonny P McClain at Smashwords

    Smashwords Edition License Notes

    This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

    Table of Contents

    Acknowledgements

    What exactly is a medical writer?

    So now what?

    Tools for writing

    Clear, concise, authentic

    Social media

    Tips for travel

    Data insights

    Where are the clients?

    Bonus: where to find data

    Getting started

    A Case Study

    About the author

    Acknowledgements

    I was in a Los Angeles hotel elevator in town to film a series of interviews for a nationwide chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) drug launch. To access the club level you insert a special key. A child with another family exclaimed how she wished she could stay on the fancy higher floor. Another executive in the elevator leaned over saying:

    "We have to spend a lot of time away from our families. They try to make us feel better by giving us grander hotel rooms and fancy amenities but we would rather be with our kids in a hotel, on a lower floor, on vacation."

    Thank you to Steve, Harrison, and Ryland for joining me and making the journey better but mostly for the times when I left you behind. One evening we were watching a movie, Notting Hill. A visually stunning scene displays seasons passing in a montage of memories as Bill Withers sings, Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone--my toddler son stated that the song reminds him of me when I have to get on an airplane--it was time to change my work life. I hope that you find useful insights for wherever you might be in your writing journey. And bring the sunshine along for the ride.

    What exactly is a medical writer?

    Even as a slightly active member of society you are certainly asked what you do for a living. I have trotted out a variety of responses over the years and the reactions range from glazed eyes to shades of genuine interest. More frequently I observe overall confusion. When feeling cheeky I will respond, I am a writer. People get excited and ask about my publications. Oh, would I perhaps have read any of your books? Not being entirely well behaved I mention a popular series on hepatobiliary disease and let them sort it out. Once I was asked did I write the prescription information on pill bottles. I just mentioned that I couldn't write

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