Health and Medical Writing

Medical and healthcare information is created, shared, and communicated daily by and for researchers, medical practitioners, patients and their families, and the general public. Employed by hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, medical-device manufacturers, clinical-research organizations, medical technology companies, and non-profit organizations, Medical Writers produce an array of traditional and digital content for novice and expert audiences. These writers prepare regulatory documents; review and synthesize research for journal articles and popular publications; streamline sales, training, and educational materials; draft and share press releases; compose fact sheets and more. This course introduces students to medical and healthcare writing as a broad and evolving field. Through a mix of individual and collaborative projects across the semester, students concentrate on developing the research and writing skills needed to convey, ethically and accurately, technical health information to target audiences across traditional and digital platforms. Aiming to better meet target audience needs, students will explore where and how different audiences find, use, and evaluate medical information. Students in this course will be challenged to craft clear and purposeful writing that communicates information which can be complex, specific, and/or emotionally charged. A background in health, medicine, or science is not necessary for this course, but a willingness to learn about these areas is essential.