Kinza Medical Writer

How To Write Medical Content For Universities?

Since I began coaching aspiring medical writers through my Elite Medical Writing Sessions, I have received numerous inquiries on how to master the art of medical writing for different prospects.

While I have provided extensive guidance to help them excel in their medical writing careers, I recognize the need to address these common questions through the Kinza medical writer blog. It serves as a reliable source for medical writing queries to medical writers. 

Therefore, I have developed a series of blogs to guide you on the intricacies of writing medical content for various clientele from my years of experience. This comprehensive series will cover multiple topics, including writing for the pharmaceutical industry, universities, medical supplies, rehabilitation centers, and more.

By providing targeted insights and practical tips, these blogs aim to equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in the challenging field of medical writing. So, stay tuned for this informative series, where I will provide practical guidance to empower you as a proficient medical writer. It will also help you meet each writing project’s specific demands with confidence and expertise.

Today’s blog will focus on the essential techniques for crafting compelling and engaging medical content tailored explicitly for universities. As a medical writer, you will get diverse projects such as research papers, grants, academic articles, and more within this field. However, it is vital to remember that writing for universities demands a high level of technicality, accuracy, and responsibility.

Let’s dive in.

Do Universities Require Medical Writers?

Yes, universities often require medical writers’ services for various projects.

Medical writers are responsible for creating clear and concise content based on scientific evidence that meets the requirements of the specific university. They help ensure the presented information is accurate, up-to-date, and accessible to the intended audience.

Universities may employ medical writers full-time or freelance, depending on their needs and budget.

Also, read the previous blog of this series: How to Write Medical and Healthcare Content for Hospitals?

What Types of Medical Writing Projects Universities Offers

As a medical writer, you can work with universities on various projects, including research papers, grants, academic articles, textbook chapters, conference proceedings, e-learning modules, and more.

Let’s take a look at a few projects involved.

1.Grant Proposals: Medical writers may be involved in writing grant proposals to secure funding for research projects.

2.Research Articles: Medical writers may help researchers to write articles for publication in academic journals.

3.Curriculum Development: Medical writers are trusted to develop curricula for medical and healthcare-related courses.

4.Conference Materials: Medical writers help to develop materials for medical conferences, such as abstracts, posters, and slide presentations.

5.Institutional Review Board (IRB) Applications: Medical writers can help researchers to prepare IRB applications and informed consent documents for studies involving human subjects.

6.Institutional Policies and Procedures: Medical writers may be involved in developing and writing institutional policies and procedures related to medical and healthcare-related activities.

7.E-modules and Video Scripts: Medical writers are suitable to develop e-modules and video scripts for online healthcare and medical courses. These modules may include instructional videos, interactive activities, and assessments to help students learn and retain course material.

These are just a few examples of the type of medical writing work universities may require. However, the options and opportunities are endless. The specific work required will depend on the needs of the institution and the nature of the research or educational activities being conducted.

How to Write Effective Medical Content for Universities?

When writing medical content for universities, it is crucial to be both technical and specific while also presenting information in a clear and accessible way. Here are some tips on how to write effective medical content for universities:

Understand your audience

Understanding your target audience is the first step in crafting excellent medical content for universities. This means you must first understand their knowledge level, experience, expectations, and preferences regarding the content/topic you’re writing about. And then tailor your content accordingly. 

For example, suppose you are writing for medical students with a higher level of knowledge and technical understanding than a general audience. In that case, you can tailor the content to target them and exclusively incorporate complex medical jargon and terms.

It is also essential to consider the demographics of your audience. For instance, when writing for an international university, it becomes crucial to use simpler language accessible to non-native English speakers/students.

Be concise and creative

When writing medical content for universities, it’s essential to be concise and creative to make it engaging and interesting. Use anecdotes and examples to illustrate complex concepts and make them more accessible to your readers.

Visual aids such as diagrams, graphs, and charts can help readers understand complex medical concepts and data. Hence, use visuals strategically to support your written content and enhance understanding.

For example, when writing about a medical condition, you could include a diagram illustrating the affected area of the body or a graph that shows the condition’s prevalence over time. It will significantly enhance the understanding and visual comprehension of the readers.

Stay up-to-date

In the dynamic field of medicine, constant discoveries and innovations emerge, making it essential to stay abreast of the latest research and practices. By remaining up-to-date, you can ensure that your content remains relevant and accurate, reflecting the most current knowledge and advancements in the field.

Moreover, if you’re writing about a particular medical treatment, review the latest studies and consult with medical experts to ensure you have the most current and accurate information.

Master scientific writing and report writing

When writing medical content for universities, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of scientific writing and report writing. This includes following a standard format: introduction, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion.

Using persuasive language and supporting your arguments with relevant references is also essential. For instance, when writing a research paper, incorporating citations is crucial to validate and support the findings presented in the report. This adds credibility to the content and allows readers to explore the sources and further investigate the topic.

Master scientific writing and report writing

Master statistical skills and analysis

In the medical field, statistical analysis is often used to interpret data. Thus, it’s crucial to understand various statistical methods and how to use them properly.

Let’s say you’re conducting a study; then, you may need to use software like SPSS to analyze your data. It clearly explains the methods used and comprehensively presents the results. Your analysis should be strong and well-supported.

Double-check everything

It’s also significant to double-check everything before submitting medical writing to ensure it’s accurate and up-to-date. This includes checking your sources, data, and references for accuracy.

For instance, If you’re writing a case study, you must ensure that all the patient data is authentic and complete. Double-check all the data, references, and statistics to ensure they’re correct and up-to-date.

Edit and proofread

Before submitting medical content to a university, thorough editing and proofreading are crucial. This entails checking for spelling and grammar errors and ensuring the content maintains logical flow and coherence.

Once you have completed writing a research paper or any medical content, taking a break from it before returning to review it with fresh eyes is beneficial. This period of distance allows you to see the content with a renewed perspective. It enables you to identify and rectify errors that may have been overlooked during the initial writing phase.  It will improve the content’s overall quality and professionalism.

Accept constructive criticism

When crafting medical content for universities, being open to constructive criticism from colleagues and supervisors is essential. Embracing such feedback can be immensely beneficial as it helps identify areas for improvement and enables the refinement of writing skills.

For example, if a supervisor suggests changes to your content, take their suggestions positively and view them as opportunities to enhance your writing.

Keep learning and improving

The medical field constantly evolves, and staying up-to-date with new developments and best practices is important. Attend conferences, read the latest medical journals and publications, and continue to develop your writing skills.

You can enroll in various online courses or attend workshops to learn new writing techniques or stay up-to-date with the latest research in your field. This will help you gain more knowledge, improve your writing skills and produce more effective medical content for universities.

Follow a logical structure

Following a logical structure that is easy to follow is vital when presenting medical information. This will help ensure that your readers can understand the content and retain the information.

Start by introducing the key concepts, then provide detailed explanations and examples to support your points. Finally, summarize the key takeaways to reinforce the main points.

Cite sources accurately

The last step of writing medical content for universities is citing your sources accurately and appropriately. This will help you avoid plagiarism and ensure your readers can find and verify the information you’ve presented.

Using reputable sources such as peer-reviewed journals and authoritative textbooks is advisable to ensure credibility and reliability. Moreover, adhering to the appropriate citation style, such as APA (American Psychological Association) or MLA (Modern Language Association), specific to your field is essential. 

When writing for universities, there are specific legal details that you should be aware of. Depending on the nature of the work, you may need to obtain special licenses or certifications.

Here are some standard legal considerations:

1.Intellectual Property: When writing for universities, you may work with intellectual property such as patents, trademarks, and copyrighted materials. It’s crucial to ensure that you are not infringing on any intellectual property rights and have the necessary permissions to use any materials.

2.Ethical Standards: Universities often have strict ethical standards that must be followed. You may need to obtain approval from an institutional review board (IRB) for certain types of research or adhere to specific guidelines when working with human or animal subjects.

3.Privacy and Confidentiality: When working with sensitive data or information, it’s vital to maintain confidentiality and adhere to privacy regulations. Ensure you understand any privacy or confidentiality agreements and obtain permission to use confidential data.

4.Compliance with Laws: As a medical writer, you should also be familiar with laws that govern the field, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). So, ensuring that you comply with relevant laws and regulations is crucial.

5.Licensing and Certification: Depending on the nature of the work, you may need to obtain specific licenses or certifications. For example, medical writers who work on clinical trial documents may need certification from the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS) or the International Association of Clinical Research Nurses (IACRN).

Wrap Up

In conclusion, writing medical content for universities is an excellent opportunity for medical writers with a passion for science and writing.

However, to thrive as a medical writer for universities, it is crucial to continuously improve your skills, stay updated with the latest research and practices, and maintain a keen eye for detail. This ensures that the content meets the rigorous standards of academia, providing value to students, faculty, and the broader scientific community.

By combining a solid command of medical knowledge with excellent writing skills, you can embark on a fulfilling career as a medical writer within the academic realm.

Stay tuned for future posts that will unlock valuable strategies for success across different sectors within the medical writing landscape.

Feel free to contact me if you need Akasious’s professional assistance with patient education materials, case studies, research articles, medical marketing collateral, or pharmaceutical content. 

Or have a look at my services and see how I can assist you in transforming your medical and pharmaceutical business with my content.