Medical writers play a crucial role in translating complex medical information into clear, accurate, and engaging content. Their work serves diverse audiences, including the general public, patients, healthcare providers, health science students, and regulatory agencies. As the pharmaceutical and health tech industries continue to expand, the demand for skilled medical writers grows. Accurate medical knowledge needs to be disseminated quickly through social media, websites, and advertisements.
Although many medical writers are available, finding the right freelance medical writer requires careful consideration. The success of your project often hinges on choosing the right person. Moreover, hiring the right medical writer can save significant time and money, as many freelancers offer discounts for retainer contracts and value loyalty highly.
Below, I’ve outlined key factors to help you identify the ideal medical writer for your needs.
Medical Knowledge
Start by assessing qualifications. Writers with degrees such as MD, PhD, MSc, or PharmD have strong foundational knowledge in medicine or science, enabling them to convey accurate information to specific audiences. However, don’t immediately dismiss writers without medical or science degrees. Medical writers who have done relevant courses such as Writing in the Sciences, or possess certificates such as the American Medical Writers Association Certificate show determination to learn and can demonstrate exceptional skill.
A good medical writer prioritizes producing high-quality content through extensive research. That said, certain types of medical writing—such as regulatory materials, academic papers, or medical education content—requires a medical or related field degree in the majority of cases. You may even be required to check if a medical writer knows regulatory and ethical guidelines like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and ICH Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines if you are looking for someone to create clinical trial reports, study protocols and drug approval documents.
Relevant Experience and Specialization
In addition to years of writing experience, consider a writer’s prior roles outside of writing. Experience as a clinical research associate, regulatory affairs professional, scientist, or physician can equip writers to understand complex topics.
Look for specialization in specific types of medical writing, such as health communications, regulatory writing, medical education, academic writing, or medical copywriting. Additionally, subject matter expertise in areas like oncology, women’s health, or cardiology can be a significant asset.
Technical Skills
Medical writers should have strong research abilities and basic statistical knowledge. Familiarity with statistical tests like t-tests, chi-square, and ANOVA and the ability to interpret p-values and understand study designs can help them draw meaningful conclusions from the literature.
Beyond technical knowledge, skills like understanding SEO best practices, creating conference posters, and designing social media content can demonstrate a writer’s versatility. Depending on your needs, hiring a multi-skilled writer may be more efficient than contracting multiple freelancers.
Writing Samples
Medical writers often showcase their best work on their website or portfolio, although they may not cover the full range of their abilities due to client confidentiality agreements. Reviewing their portfolio can provide insight into their style and expertise. You can also review their blog to get a sense of their writing abilities, and their interests. If in doubt, consider offering a paid trial task to assess their skills firsthand.
Soft Skills
Soft skills like communication, attention to detail, and adaptability are important. Writers who ask thoughtful questions and engage in clear, timely communication are often more invested in understanding your project’s needs, which leads to better results.
Rates
Before hiring, establish a budget. Industry rates vary, and many medical writers list their fees online. If not, reach out via their preferred communication method for a quote. Freelance medical writers can be found on platforms like Kolabtree, Upwork, or LinkedIn by searching “Freelance Medical Writer.”
While it may be tempting to hire a lower-cost writer, quality often correlates with rates. Strive to balance affordability with the quality of work you require.
Reviews
Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools
Clarify whether a writer uses AI tools and how they integrate them into their process. While AI can assist with tasks like improving grammar, finding references, or creating content outlines, relying on AI to generate entire articles is unacceptable. However, be aware that AI-detection tools are not 100% accurate.
Takeaway
Selecting a medical writer from a sea of candidates can feel overwhelming. The pointers above are designed to guide you in making an informed decision. However, sometimes the process is as simple as having a video call, asking the right questions, and trusting your instincts.
Remember, a medical writer who is eager to learn and consistently delivers above-average work is often more valuable than a highly skilled writer with whom you struggle to collaborate.
Happy hiring.
P.S. If you have a project that needs a freelance medical writer, I would be happy to discuss your needs and work with you. Feel free to reach out.
