Medical Writing 101
A Primer for Health Professionals
by
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Chapter Eight
General Comments
As I have said, too often the term Medical Writing means to doctors and students, regardless of what discipline they represent, the authoring of medical articles for publication in a journal or book.
This definition would limit Medical Writing to a small percentage of health professionals—as not that many of us write journal articles or books. Unfortunately for those who believe this definition, it is not true. Every health care professional—physician, pharmacist, dentist, optometrist, podiatrist and all others—will in his or her professional career write many times as much other professional communication as medical articles.
To some extent, this type of writing—communication, if you will -- ultimately may be more important to professionals than articles or books. It is their day-to-day existence. It may determine payment of bills, avoidance of law suits, development of inter-professional relations, transmission of important information, retention of patients and a myriad of other benefits. In all these channels, there exists the possibility of the embarrassment of having your communication downplayed because of inability to write properly.
This section is dedicated to offering some thoughts, hints and ideas about other medical writing and I hope that all the readers will benefit by this part II. More in this section than in Part I, strategies and logic and substantive aspects of writing are included. Writing is not just the mechanics of proper grammar and correct punctuation, it includes what to write and how to write it effectively.
It would seem easy to cover this topic merely by repeating everything already
said in the previous section. And that would be accurate. Or, even just calling the
reader’s attention to Part I again. For everything said about medical articles is true
of other medical writing (with a few additions).
What do you need? In just three words: Clarity, Brevity and Completeness.
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Book Details
About the Book
This book provides a global introduction to Medical Writing for health professions students and for practicing health professionals who are just starting to do some writing. At the same time, it is sufficiently sophisticated to offer valuable tips to experienced writers.
Besides scientific articles, students and residents need help for their practical needs: writing histories, progress notes and case summaries. And later, they will need the ability to write letters and prepare reports – topics included in this book.
So often, the need for such training in the other health professions is ignored – dentistry, nursing, podiatry, optometry, pharmacy, physician assistant, public health, occupational therapy and physical therapy, as examples. Therefore, Medical Writing 101 is a practical help for all health professionals.
This comprehensive book can serve several purposes: a textbook for an actual course, or a self-study manual, or a refresher for the occasional writer – or all three. Included are important items – usually unknown o the novice and rarely offered in print – as where to find material for writing articles, formats to use, deciding where to submit an article, and knowing what happens when the manuscript or book goes to the editor or publisher.
Medical Writing 101 includes material on other writings: letters, charts, reports and records – all so essential to the health professional’s career and for which he or she is rarely given guidance.
This is a “how-to” book, written in a lucid and informal and interesting style – actually a conversational tone. Replete with strongly illustrative and practical examples, it emphasizes what a tutor might offer in person. To add to the enjoyment of the book, the author uses humor from time to time – sometimes subtle and sly, sometimes overt – to help emphasize important points.
About the Author
Author of three published books and more than 120 published professional articles (mostly pediatrics and medical communication), Dr. Melnick is well qualified to teach Medical Writing Throughout his two careers – Pediatrics and Medical Education – he has maintained his devotion to writing and editing. Now, having recently retired as Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost of the Health Professions Division of Nova Southeastern University, he writes columns on medical communication for three publications: one a monthly and the other two quarterlies, with an occasional professional articles in addition.
As the founding Dean of the Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine, he introduced and taught one of the first medical communication courses (writing and speaking) in a medical school in the
He is a past president of ten professional organizations, including the American Medical Writers Association and its Delaware Valley Chapter. He holds fifteen distinguished service awards from professional organizations and has been honored with five Fellowships, and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree..