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Write Medicine

Write Medicine

Exploring best practices in creating continuing education content for health professionals.

Uncensored: Fearless CME Writer Questions, Breakthrough Solutions

Are you turning down lucrative CME writing opportunities because you're unsure how to handle client conversations about pricing, research access, or expanding your services? As a CME writer, you know the challenge of building a sustainable business isn't just about writing skills - it's about making smart decisions about which projects to take, how to access resources, and when to specialize. From negotiating research access fees to breaking free from the needs assessment cycle, every decision impacts your growth potential. In this episode, I take you inside a real CME writers' strategy session where we tackle these exact challenges head-on. By listening to this episode, you will: • Learn proven strategies for handling awkward client conversations about project scope and resource access without damaging relationships • Discover how to leverage your expertise in one area (like needs assessments) to expand into new opportunities while maintaining your current client base • Master the art of responding confidently to questions about therapeutic specialties while keeping doors open for diverse opportunities Press play now to get an unfiltered look at how experienced CME writers navigate real business challenges and come away with practical strategies you can implement in your next client conversation. Resources Howson A. WriteCME Roadmap: How to Thrive in CME with No Experience, No Network, and No Clue. 2024. Tilt Publishing. WriteCME Roadmap Launch Party For tips on getting around publishing paywalls see How to write a literature review
October 30, 2024

Embrace Your Voice: How to Optimize the Power of Pause, Timing, and Flow in CME Script Writing

Do you struggle to transform dense medical information into scripts that sound natural when read aloud in videos or podcasts? As a medical writer or CME professional, you know the challenge of bridging the gap between technical accuracy and listener engagement. Your scripts need to convey complex scientific concepts while maintaining clarity and holding the audience's attention. This balancing act can feel like an insurmountable task, especially when you're writing for diverse audiences from patients to specialists. In this episode of Write Medicine, voice actor Emma Clarke shares invaluable insights that will help you: 1. Master the art of writing for the spoken word in medical education 2. Learn techniques to make dense scientific content more accessible and engaging when read aloud 3. Understand the crucial elements of pacing, clarity, and pronunciation in voiceover scripts Tune in now to unlock the secrets of crafting medical voiceover scripts that inform, engage, and inspire your audience. Connect with Emma 📧 [email protected] 🌐 https://emmaclarke.com 📰 https://ebclarke.substack.com X/Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
October 23, 2024

Freelance Like a Pro: Niching, Marketing, and SOPs with Alejandra Viviescas

Are you a freelance medical writer struggling to streamline your workflow and grow your business? Do you find yourself overwhelmed by client management, marketing, and the constant need to prove your value? If you're looking to transform your freelance medical writing career from chaotic to confident, especially in the field of Continuing Medical Education, this episode is for you. Today Alejandra Viviescas PhD joins me to explore practical strategies that can transform your approach to client relationships, help you overcome self-doubt, and build a thriving business. By listening to this episode, you will: Learn how to implement a client acquisition flywheel that turns each project into a marketing opportunity Discover how to use checklists and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to streamline your workflow and reduce anxiety in client interactions Gain insights on how to use your multilingual skills to stand out in the medical writing field. Press play now to unlock your competitive edge in freelance CME writing and get ready to create systems that work for you, not against you.  Resources Jim Collins. The Flywheel Effect. Nathan Barry. Authority: Become an Expert, Build a Following, and Gain Financial Independence. 2014. Aloha Publishing. Josh Spector. How To Create Powerful Content (Without Spending More Time On It). I Want To Know podcast. Alexjandra Viviescas PhD. Flywheel. Ready, Steady, CME!
October 16, 2024

Shameless Money-Saving Hacks for Successful Freelance Medical Writers

Are you a new medical writer feeling overwhelmed by the costs of starting your career? Do you hesitate to invest in expensive resources, wondering if there's a smarter way to begin? You're not alone. Many aspiring medical writers struggle to balance their passion for the field with the financial realities of getting started. But what if I told you that you don't need to break the bank to launch your medical writing career? In this episode, we're diving into 12 money-saving hacks that can help you access vital resources, improve your skills, and network effectively - all while keeping your budget intact.  Whether you're looking to find free alternatives to pricey databases, discover cost-effective ways to enhance your skills or learn how to leverage existing resources you might have overlooked, this episode is your guide to smart, budget-friendly strategies for kickstarting your medical writing journey. Sometimes expensive doesn't necessarily mean better. Stay tuned for tips that could save you hundreds if not thousands, of dollars as you embark on your exciting new career path. 1. Leverage Free Resources: From PubMed and Google Docs to public libraries and government health websites, there's a wealth of free tools and information at your fingertips. Make the most of these resources before investing in paid alternatives. 2. Invest in Learning, Not Just Tools: Focus on building your skills through free online courses, virtual conferences, and skill-swapping. Your knowledge and abilities are your most valuable assets, and many ways to enhance them don't cost a dime. 3. Start Simple and Scale Up: Begin with a basic setup and free versions of software. As your career grows and your needs evolve, you can make informed decisions about which paid tools and resources are truly worth the investment. Resources Write Medicine podcast. How to Streamline Your Medical Writing Literature Review Process WriteCME Pro—a professional development program for medical writers ready to specialize in CME QueText Grammarly MedTerms
October 9, 2024

Root Cause Analysis: How to Easily Transform Your Needs Assessments

Is your CME content scratching the surface or truly addressing the core issues in healthcare practice? As a CME professional, you're constantly striving to create educational interventions that make a real difference. But sometimes, despite your best efforts, the impact falls short of expectations. Root cause analysis (RCA) could be the missing piece in your needs assessment toolkit, helping you uncover the true sources of performance gaps and design more effective CME programs. By listening to this episode, you'll discover: How to apply RCA techniques to enhance your needs assessments and identify the root causes of practice gaps Step-by-step guidance and practical tools for conducting RCA Real-world examples of how RCA can lead to measurable improvements in healthcare outcomes Tune in now to unlock the power of root cause analysis and revolutionize your approach to CME program development. Resources Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Root Cause Analysis. Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Improving Root Cause Analyses and Actions to Prevent Harm. Singh G et al. Root Cause Analysis and Medical Error Prevention. StatPearls. Driesen B et al. Root Cause Analysis Using the Prevention and Recovery Information System for Monitoring and Analysis Method in Healthcare Facilities: A Systematic Literature Review. J Patient Saf. 2022;18(4):342-350
September 25, 2024

CME as a Strategic Resource in Quality Improvement with Katie West MSN

Are you struggling to position your CME program as a strategic asset in your healthcare system? As a CME professional in a hospital or health system, you're likely facing challenges in demonstrating the value of your programs beyond mere accreditation requirements. You know that CME has the potential to drive quality improvement and enhance patient care, but you may be finding it difficult to integrate your efforts with broader organizational goals. In this episode of Write Medicine, you'll discover: How to position CME as a strategic resource at the heart of your healthcare system's quality improvement initiatives Practical strategies for building relationships across departments and specialties to create more impactful, coordinated education Innovative approaches to measuring and demonstrating the effectiveness of your CME programs Tune in now to unlock the secrets of making your CME program an indispensable driver of excellence in your healthcare system. Timestamps 00:00 Nurse turned educator; now an RN CME specialist. 06:03 Partnering in rural Michigan for healthcare improvement. 07:51 Building relationships for proactive service line strategies. 10:32 Efforts to integrate CME as a strategic resource. 16:48 Education barriers: preconceived notions, resistance, limited human resources. 18:50 Collaborative case review meetings enhance treatment insights. 24:39 Using varied data for planning and support. 27:16 Annual symposium educates primary care providers comprehensively. 28:43 Advocating for joint accreditation in clinical education. Resources West K. Small Teams, Big Outcomes: Efficient CME Approaches. Alliance Almanac. August 21, 2024.
September 12, 2024

Embracing Visual Trends and Patient Voices: A New Era in Medical Education with Caroline Halford

Are you a CME professional struggling to create engaging, accessible content that truly resonates with healthcare providers? You know the importance of staying current with medical advancements, but you're finding it challenging to deliver information in ways that stick. You want your educational materials to not only inform but also inspire change in clinical practice. If you're looking for innovative approaches to make your CME content more impactful, patient-centered, and adaptable to diverse learner needs and environments, this episode is for you. Join us to explore cutting-edge strategies in medical education that bridge the gap between information overload and meaningful learning experiences. You’ll gain insights into: Ways to engage with your partners as a crucial step in effective independent medical education Techniques for incorporating patient voices and perspectives into CME activities Approaches to using social media and digital platforms for enhanced learner engagement Resources Patient-Physician Perspective Collection BMJ's What Your Patient is Thinking series Tony Collier's article on living with prostate cancer International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP) Bredbenner K, Simon SM. Video abstracts and plain language summaries are more effective than graphical abstracts and published abstracts. PLoS One. 2019;14(11):e0224697. 7 Unexpected Strategies To Refresh Your CME Needs Assessment Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Independent Medical Education 00:16 Guest Introduction: Caroline Helford 00:30 Fresh Approaches to Medical Education 01:02 Caroline's Background in Medical Publishing 08:12 Defining Independent Medical Education 09:22 The Role of Social Media in Medical Education 10:53 Importance of Visual and Accessible Content 19:02 Engaging Patients in Medical Education 32:31 Future Trends in Medical Education 35:46 Conclusion and Key Takeaways
September 11, 2024

Build Your Medical Writing Portfolio: A Guide for CME Writers

You've got the writing skills. You're passionate about medical education. But every prospective CME client asks for that elusive portfolio. Sound familiar? If you're an aspiring CME writer feeling stuck in this catch-22, you're in the right place. Today, we're breaking down how to build a compelling CME portfolio from scratch - even if you've never had a single client.  Listen in to: Discover three practical strategies to build an impressive CME writing portfolio from scratch Learn how to showcase your existing skills and experience in a way that appeals to CME clients Get insider tips on creating portfolio-worthy samples like needs assessments and blog posts Ready to turn your blank page into a showcase of your talents? Let's dive in. Resources Ready, Steady, CME! Portfolio-building playbooks WriteCME Pro Finding the Freelance Clients You Deserve 7 Unexpected Strategies To Refresh Your CME Needs Assessment How to Streamline Your Medical Writing Literature Review Process Elevate Your Medical Writing: How to Choose the Right Literature Review Approach for Your Project Timestamps 00:00 Alex discusses creating a CME medical writing portfolio for newbies. We explore three options for building a portfolio. 03:25 Diversify needs assessments, consider audience, interprofessional education. 08:12 Build your CME portfolio through networking, courses, and feedback. 09:54 Customize your portfolio to highlight professionalism and reliability. Subscribe for CME writing tips and resources. Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast! Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast for more valuable insights on continuing medical education content for health professionals. Click the Follow button and subscribe on your favorite platform.
September 4, 2024
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Write Medicine

Write Medicine is a weekly podcast that explores best practices in creating continuing education and professional development (CME/CPD) content for health professionals. Host Alexandra Howson PhD, CHCP uses her expertise in education and health care to guide rich, honest discussions about the practice of creating CME/CPD content with intention and confidence.

Write Medicine is here to offer you guidance and strategies as you navigate all phases of CME/CPD. Join our thoughtful, provocative, and valuable conversations about adult learning, teaching platforms, content creation techniques, effective formats, and trends in healthcare that influence the type of content we create. Wherever you are in the content creation process, if your work involves planning, designing, delivering, or evaluating education for health professionals, this podcast is for you.

Host

Alexandra Howson

Alexandra Howson

Alexandra Howson, PhD, is a writer and researcher who creates and evaluates education content for health professionals. A former nurse and academic, Alex shares her deep expertise in health care and education with new-to-the-field or CME-curious medical writers, teaching how to create educational content with confidence and build a sustainable CME writing niche via community, courses, and coaching.

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