How to Get Started as a Medical Writer: Writing for Patients and the Public

An earlier version of this article originally appeared on Doximity.com, where I was an Op-Med Fellow from 2022-2023.

Since 2009, I’ve written about health and medicine for the public. I’ve authored four books for lay readers and contribute regularly to GoodRx’s patient education website. My work has received national recognition, and along the way, I’ve learned a great deal about the craft of writing, the business of publishing, and what it takes to build a presence in the popular press.

To be clear, the term “medical writing” covers a wide range of genres. This article is for physicians who want to write evidence-based health books and articles for the general public, including patients, readers, and consumers seeking clear, accurate, and trustworthy medical information. While physicians pursuing other writing paths may recognize common themes, my focus here is specifically on public-facing health communication.

Other forms of medical writing that I’m not covering in this article include:

• Pharmaceutical or regulatory writing

• CME or corporate medical communications

• Grant writing

• Creative writing, memoir, or fiction

While strong writing skills are crucial no matter which path you’re on, these other forms of writing follow different conventions and often require distinct training, structures, and professional goals.

A Dose of Reality

Before diving in, I think it’s important to set expectations. Writing for the public can be meaningful and professionally enriching, but unless you already have a significant platform, it rarely becomes a major source of income.

That’s not meant to discourage you. Writing is a deeply rewarding way to clarify your position, share information, and get in front of a larger audience than you might otherwise find. You’re likely to meet a whole world of interesting people, including editors, publishers, and fellow authors. And perhaps most importantly, medical writing is a great opportunity deepen your own knowledge base.

In this article, I’ll share my own journey as a medical writer, including my pitfalls and successes. I’ll also offer suggestions that may make your own process easier and more rewarding.

My Path Into Medical Writing

Like many physicians, I had written journal articles and delivered lectures for many years. As a woman in cardiology beginning in the early 1990s, I was often invited to speak about women and heart disease. Over time, I became comfortable translating complex research into conversational language.

That skill became the foundation for my first book, The Smart Woman’s Guide to Heart Health, published in 2009. I’ll be honest. This was not a quick or easy process. It took me several years, carving out 30 minutes here and there to work on my project, but the knowledge I accumulated made me a better physician and communicator.

My book began as a way to address my patients’ questions about diet, supplements, exercise, stress, and other issues that impact cardiovascular health. My training had prepared me very well to take care of critically ill patients, and to competently manage preventive medical care, but like many physicians, I had a very shallow understanding of the impact of diet and lifestyle, and I knew virtually nothing about supplements. These were the questions that my patients kept bringing to me, and I wasn’t comfortable simply addressing their concerns superficially.

The Financial Realities of Writing for the Public

My first book was published through an independent press. I paid for editorial services and marketing support. Although I was proud of the result, and my patients and private group practice loved it, I never recouped my financial investment.

Two years later, I decided to take a shot at getting a contract with a traditional publishing house. This time, I received an advance, and the book, Best Practices for a Healthy Heart: How to Stop Heart Disease Before or After it Starts, was published in 2011. Just a few months after I signed the contract with the publisher, my practice was acquired by a large healthcare organization.

That experience taught me another important lesson: traditional publishers expect authors to take an active role in marketing their own work. At the same time, physicians employed by hospital systems or academic institutions may face significant restrictions on outside promotion. This second unanticipated and unfortunately timed issue proved to be a serious barrier for me.

I had assumed my book would be viewed as an opportunity to elevate the practice within the new healthcare system, but instead, I discovered that my ability to promote it was quite limited by the organization’s bylaws, which prohibited outside work. It’s a detail that you might not expect, but one that deserves careful consideration before signing a contract.

Based on my experience, I suggest that before signing any publishing contract, you should understand:

• Marketing expectations

• Rights and royalties

• Institutional policies where you work, or where you intend to seek employment

• Platform requirements

Nevertheless, having now created a body of work as a medical writer, in 2014 I was asked to co-author The DASH Diet for Dummies with two well-known dietitians. My co-authors were happy to take on the bulk of the promotional work. That book is now selling steadily in its second edition, and a third edition is on the way.

Financially? Writing has not dramatically changed my bottom line. But professionally it has given me more opportunities than I could have imagined.

What Medical Writing Can Do For You

Writing health-focused articles and books for the public can:

• Deepen your expertise

• Sharpen your communication skills

• Build your professional credibility

• Expand your professional opportunities

• Amplify your voice beyond the walls of your clinic

Over time, consistent writing also shapes your professional identity. You may begin simply as “a physician who writes.” But gradually, you’ll become a translator of evidence, a trusted voice, or an educator whose reach extends far beyond the exam room.

Writing connects you with editors, journalists, and thoughtful readers who may broaden your perspective and challenge your thinking. For me, those relationships have been one of the most meaningful rewards of the process.

Practical Steps to Get Started

If you’re a physician wondering how to begin writing health content for patients or the public, here are practical steps.

Start small

Create a one-page patient handout. Write a 600-word article answering a common clinical question. Draft a short educational series.

You don’t need to tackle a book to begin. Small projects will help you test whether you actually enjoy writing.

Write in plain language

Academic tone does not translate well to consumer health writing. Instead, write the way you speak to a thoughtful patient:

• Short sentences

• Clear explanations

• Concrete examples

• Minimal jargon

You won’t get extra points for sounding erudite. One rule of thumb that I have learned in my work as a freelance writer is to write for a 6th to 7th grade reading level.

Start a Blog or Build a Portfolio

You don’t need a complicated website. Even a simple blog updated monthly is enough to:

• Build consistency

• Create writing samples

• Clarify your niche

• Demonstrate credibility to editors

Consistency matters more than frequency, especially if you’re hoping to gain traction with internet search engines.

Reach out to editors and newsletters

Once you’ve written a few pieces and have your bearings:

• Pitch local newspapers or magazines with commentary on new research or healthcare issues

• Write short LinkedIn posts about emerging topics

• Search for consumer health writing opportunities like Connectively, where journalists are often looking for quotes

• Check out physician job boards for freelance writing postings

• Sign up for speaking engagements for public groups in your area

Understand the importance of platform

Traditional publishers place significant weight on what they call “platform,” a term that reflects your ability to reach and engage an audience.

Platform may include:

• Email subscribers

• Social media following

• Speaking engagements

• Media appearances

This is not about gimmicks or self-promotion. Those might get attention, but you’ll undermine your credibility. Instead, think about how you might create authenticity and inspire trust. Publishers want evidence that readers are already paying attention. If you hope to pursue traditional publishing, begin building your platform early and intentionally.

Consider an e-book

Writing a book is a major commitment, but you don’t have to have a contract to get started. Self-publishing has made it easier than ever to share your expertise, and it can be an excellent entry point.

But quality still matters. If you want your work to reflect your professionalism and your expertise, invest in skilled editing. There’s no substitute for a second set of expert eyes.

Find an agent

Having gone through the process of traditional publishing several times, I can tell you that writing a book is not for the faint of heart. The hours you put into it may never be compensated. But there is nothing like the feeling of your own book in your hands. If you are really intent on working with a traditional publisher, you will need a literary agent. Resources such as Publisher’s Marketplace and Writer’s Market can help you drill down your options.

A Word About Medical Writing for Industry

If your goal is full-time employment as a medical writer—working in pharma, regulatory affairs, or corporate communications—that is a different path entirely.

It often requires:

• Formal medical writing training

• Knowledge of regulatory standards

• Familiarity with submission processes

• Structured collaboration with cross-functional teams

The American Medical Writers Association can be a great place to get started. They have resources, communities, and job posts that can be valuable for people who are seeking to expand their scope of writing.

Conclusion

You likely won’t get rich writing health books or articles for the public.

But you may:

• Become a clearer thinker

• Develop a recognizable voice

• Build influence beyond your clinic

• Create unexpected professional opportunities

• Deepen your own understanding of medicine, healthcare, and the people you care for

Writing is an act of service. It is also an act of intellectual discipline.

If you feel drawn to begin, start small. One page. One article. One idea clearly expressed. You may be surprised where it will lead.

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How to Find Your Creative Spark: A Guide for Physicians

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in January, 2024

As physicians, we learn to practice from an evidence-based standpoint, checking the data, keeping up with the literature, and following carefully researched guidelines. But as crucial to good patient care as this is, providing the best care requires the ability to go deeper, connecting a series of disparate dots, asking probing questions, and creating trust.

Having your own creative practice can stimulate this stronger connection by giving you tools and insights that come from a less rigid view of the world. In fact, a British study found that people who engaged in creative activities at home were more likely to discover creative solutions to problems at work.

Creativity can also serve as a refuge, offering an escape and a form of mindfulness that is often difficult to access in our precision and productivity driven world. And sometimes it leads you farther than you ever imagined. For example, after retiring from clinical practice, I followed my passion for photography and the arts, eventually completing a BFA degree. I’m currently immersed in an MFA program, which has opened new doors for me that I never knew existed.

You don’t need to have special skills or innate talent to begin your creative practice. And you definitely don’t have to pursue higher education. It can be something that you do for yourself alone. But once you get started, you may find that your imagination awakens, opening your mind to new techniques and ideas that might never have occurred to you if not for this artistic exploration.

Here are some simple ways to inspire and nurture your inner artist:

Just Get Started

Getting started may sound simple, but overcoming inertia can be the hardest part. You don’t need a grand plan, a fancy camera, or a fully equipped studio. Just begin and set the wheels in motion. Your first step doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be taken. After that, the next steps often reveal themselves.

Embrace Imperfection

Check your perfectionism at the door. For people immersed in the creative arts, imperfection is not just accepted; it’s often celebrated. Express, explore, and learn. Give yourself the freedom to make mistakes and be messy. This is a crucial part of the creative journey, and it’s how new ideas are generated.

Inspiration Appears While You’re Working

Waiting for inspiration is like waiting for the perfect moment – it rarely comes when you're idle. To borrow a phrase from mindfulness meditation, creativity is about being in the now. As Picasso is famously quoted, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” The muse, that elusive spark of creativity, is not impressed by your aspirations. She finds you when you’re in the messy midst of creation. 

Set Aside Time for Creativity

Schedule your creative time just like you would for any appointment. Whether it’s 30 minutes every evening or a few hours on Saturday afternoon, having a dedicated slot for creativity can open windows in your mind and give you room to explore. If time feels tight, commit to simply 10 minutes each week, and see where that takes you.

Explore Different Creative Avenues

Creativity means different things to different people. You might enjoy writing, while someone else might find solace in painting, dancing, or playing an instrument. Simply wandering around intentionally with your phone’s camera can be a form of creative play. If you have time, taking a weekend class in pottery or some other art form could be a fun place to start. If you’re not sure how to start, allow yourself to experiment with different forms of creative expression. You might be surprised by what resonates for you.

Join a Creative Community

There's something magical about being part of a community that shares your passion. Look for local art classes, writing groups, photography clubs, or online forums. Share your work, get feedback, and enjoy the collective creative energy. A community can offer support, inspiration, and a sense of belonging. And unlike your practice as a physician, no one will expect you to be perfect or have all the answers.

Pause, Reflect and Adjust

Every now and then, take a step back and reflect on your creative journey. Stay curious. What have you learned? What do you enjoy the most? Where has your creativity taken you? You might choose to keep a creative journal to celebrate your milestones, explore the unexpected detours, and maybe even recalibrate your goals.

Final Thoughts

Integrating creativity into your life isn’t just about producing something; it’s about the process, the joy, and the journey of self-discovery it brings. It can be a form of meditative practice, and an escape hatch from the rigidity of a schedule and a task list.

As a physician, you have a unique perspective of the world, shaped by your experiences and the people whose lives you’ve touched. Infusing this perspective into your creative endeavors can lead to something unexpected, tangible, and uniquely yours. By exploring your creativity without self-judgment, you may find that the insights you discover enrich and deepen your relationships with others, including your loved ones, patients, and colleagues.

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If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.