How to become a health and medical content writer

People enter health and medical communications from a range of backgrounds.

The personal employment background of your health content writer will determine their approach to the work.

Those with a science and medical background  often write research papers and journal articles.

Communicators are generally more focused on patient resources, public health information and marketing materials.

I came to the field as a journalist and communications professional.

After completing a Bachelor of Science (Neuroscience) and Bachelor of Arts (History) at the University of Queensland, I started as a cadet journalist at The Courier-Mail while studying a Master of Journalism at the Queensland University of Technology.

After The Courier-Mail, I worked for about 15 years in journalism at The Australian, ABC and South China Morning Post.

I’ve also freelanced for great media companies and outlets such as TIME, Wall Street Journal Asia, The Australian Women’s Weekly and others. Since starting Barrett Comms, I’ve developed a specialty focus on health writing.

How much do health copywriters earn?

 

How much health copywriters and content writers earn is highly variable. There are writers who work in media that are paid from $A50,000 a year. Others work in medical and pharmaceutical companies for more than $A120,000.

Communications strategists and external relations consultants can be paid significantly more, depending on the company.

In the government and not-for-profit sector there can be other benefits, such as salary sacrificing of up to $A15,900 a year of pre-tax income.

Consultants often charge per item, if ad hoc, or are paid a monthly retainer for a set amount of content. These charges also vary depending on experience, specialisation and expertise.

Where does a health or medical writer work?

 

Health communicators work across a range of organisations, government organisations and companies.

Health peak bodies provide lots of consumer-facing information and it is mainly communications professionals who write that content.

Pharmaceutical and medical companies often conduct training, so they require concise and clear writing to prepare the educational materials.

And all companies and organisations need a website that is up-to-date, accurate and engaging.

There are many outlets for health content and copywriting.

Specialist niches in health writing

 

Health writing is such a broad area and there are many subspecialties within it.

In addition to the many medical specialties – GP, cardiology, radiology, neurology and so on – there are organisations that focus on specific diseases, health and wellness and health administration and services.

One emerging sector is medical technology (MedTech) where health is blended with the digital world. This is a fascinating and growing space.

Examples of health content writing

Examples of health content writing are all around you.

The poster on the wall in your general practitioner was likely written by a health copywriter as are the websites of medical peak bodies.

It is likely any research paper published in a major journal would have been written or edited by a professional writer.

Here are some examples that I have written that highlight the diversity of the area.

I wrote this article for AI MedTech Artrya about coronary artery disease assessments  and another for Asthma Australia about getting ready for school when your child has asthma.

This was a story for The Australian Women’s Weekly about women working in health in regional Australia. For a different take on the rural health issue, I also wrote this article in The Australian.