ELIZABETH WAGER  - Sydenham High School 1972-1980

Medical Writing

Medical writing is a fascinating career for life science graduates, especially those who retain a strong interest in their science but don’t actually want to do research. I did a zoology degree followed by 18 months of unproductive research, but many writers do have PhDs.  I didn’t enter medical writing directly, but spent 4 years as an editor at Blackwell Scientific Publications.  This provided some useful skills in copy-editing, but I realised that I didn’t want a career in publishing. I also realised that, rather than edit other people’s work, I wanted to write myself – most writers will recognise this urge, and, if you share it, I’d encourage you to follow it.  I therefore moved to a small consultancy that produced training material for industry.  It was interesting to learn about a totally different area, but I soon realised that I missed the science.  After a short spell editing a newsletter about the pharmaceutical industry, I therefore moved into the industry itself, and that’s when I consider my career as a medical writer began (although my earlier jobs probably didn’t do any harm).

I spent 7 years as medical writer at Janssen-Cilag where I was responsible for preparing publications on all the company’s products. I drafted articles, wrote abstracts and prepared posters on subjects ranging from athlete’s foot to schizophrenia.  I found the intellectual variety very stimulating and enjoyed working with the doctors who were involved with the clinical trials.  My job also involved occasional travel to international conferences, and around the UK and Ireland to meet investigators.  I then moved to Glaxo Wellcome where I set up the UK Medical Publications team.  This was more of a management position, and, with hindsight I realise that I missed the writing, but I found the job an interesting challenge.  However, the department disappeared during the GlaxoSmithKline merger, and we were all made redundant.  I took the opportunity to go freelance.  I now offer medical writing and editing services and run training courses in writing and publishing.  I love the flexibility of being self-employed and have no regrets about my decision.

My specialisation of writing publications is fairly unusual – most medical writers spend most, if not all of their time, preparing internal documents such as the trial reports that go to the regulatory authorities.  However, there are jobs in communication agencies that focus on publications and other types of writing such as training materials, patient information or marketing copy.

To succeed in this career you’ll need to have a life science degree, good writing skills (obviously) and attention to detail.  You’ll also need interpersonal skills such as negotiating and project management, since you need to be persuasive and to have confidence working with senior doctors.

If you are a scientist who loves to write, then I’d recommend this career option.

I am happy to be contacted for career advice.

Email me