How To Become a Medical Writer

You might not immediately suspect it, but the field of medicine requires a significant amount of writing. 

Written communication in the form of grant applications, journal articles, practitioner education materials, and regulatory applications is essential for expanding medical knowledge and bringing new treatments to patients.

Behind the scenes, medical writers play a valuable role in ensuring that complex scientific data is presented clearly and accurately. 

“There’s an art to making complex research digestible,” said Jennifer Peterson, a professional medical writer and instructor with the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Medical Writing Certificate Program. “If a doctor can’t quickly grasp the key points of a paper, we’ve failed.”

For anyone with a science background who enjoys writing and wants to move beyond academia or lab research, medical writing is a potentially fulfilling and flexible career path.

We spoke with Peterson and another experienced medical writer and instructor in the certificate program, Yeshi Mikyas, PhD, about the evolving landscape of the field, the challenges new writers face, and why this profession is more important than ever.

What is Medical Writing?

Medical writing sits at the intersection of science, communication, and industry regulations. 

The primary role of a medical writer is to translate complex scientific information into clear, structured documents for distinct audiences. 

"I consider medical writing creative—not in the sense of writing a novel, but in solving the puzzle of how to communicate complex research effectively," said Peterson. "You need to make information accessible to people who may not be specialists in that topic."

More than technical writers, medical writers are also problem-solvers and strategic communicators. They often work within a team composed of researchers, project administrators, and other stakeholders. Their job involves gathering the needed information and figuring out how to communicate it to funding agencies, regulatory bodies, researchers, and clinicians, in a way that is informative and engaging. 

"A good medical writer helps the team write from the reader’s perspective," said Mikyas. "If a doctor reading a journal article doesn't understand it within 15 minutes, you've lost them."

Types of Medical Writing

The field of medical writing can be divided into several major categories:

Grant Writing

Medical research grant writing involves crafting persuasive, well-structured proposals to secure funding for medical and scientific research. A well-written grant can determine whether a study receives crucial funding or not.

Publication Writing

Medical publication writers specialize in helping researchers and clinicians present their findings in peer-reviewed journals or at scientific conferences. They are experts at structuring data into a clear, logical format while adhering to strict journal submission guidelines. 

Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR)

HEOR writers produce reports that analyze the cost-effectiveness and overall impact of different medical treatments, both on an individual and societal level. These reports help government agencies, insurers, and policymakers better understand how a specific treatment potentially improves patient outcomes in the context of the cost and other factors associated with the treatment.

Regulatory Writing

One of the most structured and detail-oriented areas of medical writing, regulatory writing, involves preparing documents for submission to regulatory agencies all around the world, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the European Medicines Agency (EMA). These submissions require meticulous attention to accuracy and detail to ensure compliance and gain legal approval for new drugs and treatments.

Continuing Medical Education (CME) Writing

CME writers develop educational materials for healthcare professionals to stay updated on new treatments, guidelines, and medical advancements, as well as maintain their certifications. These materials can include online courses, training presentations, and interactive learning modules. The work product directly impacts patient care by keeping clinicians informed.

What Skills Do I Need to Be a Successful Medical Writer?

Medical writing requires a mix of scientific expertise, strong writing skills, and project management abilities. 

A solid foundation in science is especially critical. Most medical writers hold at least a master’s degree in a scientific discipline, and many have PhDs. This helps employers ensure the candidate has an understanding of research and data analysis processes that come with bringing a new product to market.

"Decades ago, it was possible to enter the field without a science background, but that’s not as common anymore,” said Mikyas. “Now there’s more demand for medical writers who can conduct research and analyze data. You typically don’t get that experience outside of completing a master’s or PhD program." 

However, while the science background is important, medical writers aren’t expected to be experts in every field they write about. The skills of a medical writer are often transferable from one field to another. In fact, a lack of specialization can even be an advantage. 

"Sometimes it helps if you’re not an expert in a particular field,” noted Peterson. “It forces you to ask the right questions and think with more of a ‘beginners’ mind.’"

Beyond scientific knowledge, medical writing also requires strong organization and interpersonal skills. 

Writers frequently collaborate with researchers, regulatory teams, and doctors, juggling multiple projects with different needs and tight deadlines. 

"The medical writer is not a lone writer," Mikyas explained. "They coordinate the entire team, ensuring everyone’s input is synthesized into a cohesive document."

"You’re not just writing—you’re managing timelines, collecting feedback, and ensuring that all the right voices are heard in the final document," Peterson added.

What Job Opportunities Are Available for Medical Writers?

One of the primary appeals of a career as a medical writer is the flexibility of work options.

Medical writers can work in various settings, including pharmaceutical companies, healthcare organizations, academic institutions, and medical communication or regulatory writing agencies. They will oftenfocus on specific types of writing too, such as grant proposals, journal articles, health economics, or regulatory documentation. 

Despite these specializations, the core medical writing skills are highly transferable, allowing writers to shift between different roles and industries throughout their career.

"There’s a cyclic process in research and writing is needed at every stage," said Peterson. “If you’re well versed in the core aspects of conducting research, securing funding, and communicating the findings, you’ll find that there are a lot of opportunities available for you.” 

That said, some fields are more competitive than others.

"Pharmaceutical companies are the hardest point of entry, but they also offer the highest earning potential," Peterson noted.

"There are a lot of jobs," Mikyas confirmed. "And since medical writing is a remote-friendly career, it offers flexibility that’s appealing to many people, especially those balancing work and family life."

How AI Is Changing Medical Writing

With advancements in artificial intelligence, many wonder how AI will impact the field. While some fear AI could replace human writers, Peterson sees it as a tool rather than a threat.

From her point of view, AI can assist with drafting, summarizing content, and automating repetitive tasks, but it can’t ensure accuracy, context, or regulatory compliance—all essential to medical writing. 

“I compare it to when Google came along,” said Peterson. “It helps, but it can’t replace critical thinking and human judgment."

What is Regulatory Medical Writing?

Within the broader field of medical writing, regulatory writing is one of the most specialized and in-demand areas of the field. It stands apart both for the nature of the work and the career trajectory of the role. 

Regulatory medical writing involves preparing documents for agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to support the approval of new drugs, medical devices, and other treatments. 

The documents prepared by regulatory writers must meet strict guidelines and legal requirements for how they present their evidence. Every detail matters, as even small errors can delay approvals and impact public health. 

"Regulatory writers are key in the writing process and communicating the data to gain drug approval," said Mikyas. “They need to present the facts in a way that meets the agency’s expectations. A key part of that is writing with clarity and getting straight to the point you are trying to make.”

Their audience is regulatory reviewers, which are clinicians, scientists, and statisticians, all of whom rely on these documents and data to assess whether a drug or medical device meets approval criteria. 

The stakes are high, and writers in this field must be precise, detail-oriented, and comfortable working with complex datasets and cross-functional teams. 

While regulatory writing isn’t for everyone, it offers strong career opportunities for those who excel in structured environments. 

"It’s less about making things engaging and more about ensuring that all the necessary data is presented in the correct format," Peterson explained. "For those who thrive on precision and organization, it can be a highly rewarding career path."

How to Get Started in Medical Writing

While the demand for medical writers is strong, breaking into the field can be challenging. 

Since medical writing isn’t traditionally taught in universities, most professionals enter the field from scientific careers such as research, academia, or healthcare. Training programs like those offered at UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies help bridge the gap, providing specialized coursework and mentorship to help new writers gain industry knowledge and practical experience.

"There is no formal education path for medical writing," Mikyas explained. "Most of us that are in the field currently come from a Ph.D. or postdoc background and have had to figure out the field as we go. The goal of UC San Diego’s program is to help guide people into medical writing by offering structured training and mentorship."

The Medical Writing program offered by UC San Diego Extended Studies introduces different areas of medical writing, including regulatory writing, publication writing, and grant writing. This range allows students to explore various specialties and determine which path best suits their interests and skills.

Beyond coursework, hands-on experience and mentorship are also crucial for success in medical writing. Peterson highlights how UC San Diego’s program stands out by offering direct feedback and mentorship opportunities in addition to self-paced content.

"This isn’t a ‘watch some videos and take a quiz’ type of program. We provide real feedback, one-on-one mentorship, and hands-on experience, which makes a big difference," Peterson said. 

Building a strong portfolio and industry connections is key to launching a successful career in medical writing, whether through formal education, professional associations, or freelance projects. For aspiring medical writers, structured training and networking opportunities can provide the experience needed to land that first job. 

Medical Writing as a Fulfilling Career

As the demand for clear, effective medical documentation grows, skilled medical writers have become more essential than ever.

Medical writing offers not just career stability, but also intellectual challenge, flexibility, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on healthcare—a combination that makes it an appealing path for many professionals.

“If you have a strong science background and a passion for writing, it can be a fulfilling and impactful career,” Mikyas said.

Structured training programs, like UC San Diego’s Medical Writing Certificate, can help new writers gain the technical knowledge and real-world experience needed to enter the field. 

To learn more about this certificate offering from UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, visit the program pages for the Medical Writing Certificate Program.