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Write Medicine

Write Medicine

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

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

When Clients Collide: Maintaining Integrity in Freelance CME Writing

Have you ever faced the ethical dilemma of being asked to work on similar projects for competing clients? As a freelance CME writer, you may encounter situations where multiple clients request your expertise for overlapping projects. This can put you in a challenging position, balancing professional ethics with business opportunities. By listening to this episode, you will: Learn how to navigate potential conflicts of interest in CME writing Understand the ethical frameworks and principles that guide decision-making in medical education Gain practical strategies for maintaining professional integrity while managing client relationships Tune in now to equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to make ethical decisions that protect your reputation and uphold the integrity of CME content creation. Resources WriteCMEpreneur Waitlist Write Medicine Insider Manifesting Wealth in Transitions Retreat ACCME 2020 Standards for Integrity and Independence in Continuing Education Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 02:39 WriteCME Pro question on the ethical dilemma where two clients ask you to work on the same project 03:23 Exploring ethical frameworks 06:54 Variables affecting content integrity 09:55 The issue of conflict of interest 11:22 Transparency is another ethical consideration 12:13 Answering the WriteCME Pro question 13:23 Key takeaways from today's episode 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.
July 3, 2024

From Burnout to Brilliance: Dr. Lisa Herbert’s Framework for Leadership Development

Are you a physician feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of modern healthcare? Do you struggle to have your voice heard in an increasingly corporate medical landscape? Or perhaps you're a medical professional looking to step into a leadership role, but unsure how to begin?  As CME professionals, we work with physicians on a daily basis. But how tuned into their struggles and concerts are you? And how can education support physicians and other health professionals who are ready to grow into a leadership role? As a healthcare or CME professional, you may struggle to maintain autonomy, influence decisions, and navigate the increasingly corporate medical environment. Today's episode with Dr. Lisa Herbert MD, FAAFP, CPEC addresses these challenges head-on, offering insights and strategies to help you reclaim your voice and emerge as an effective leader in your field. Discover a proven framework for developing essential leadership skills tailored for physicians Burnout can stem from increasing administrative burdens, corporate influence, and lack of autonomy, but coaching can provide tools to reclaim focus and purpose. Learn the 5 Ps of leadership Connect with Dr. Lisa Just the Right Balance LinkedIn Resources Dr. Lisa's books Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:24 Introducing Lisa 05:20 Physicians losing their voice 07:28 The imperative for physicians to develop negotiation, communication, and conflict resolution skills 09:33 Challenges physicians are facing 13:07 Barriers to clinician autonomy from prioritizing clinical issues 15:39 The disincentives for physicians in training 16:42 A walkthrough of what Lisa teaches and offers to help physicians establish themselves as leaders 22:26 What steps to take to work with her 23:57 Lisa’s final thoughts on mindset 26:01 Key takeaways from today’s conversation with Lisa Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast! Don’t forget to 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.
June 26, 2024

Streamline Your Social Media: Essential Tips for Freelance Writers

Are you struggling to maintain a balanced online presence without feeling overwhelmed by social media? As a freelance medical writer, you likely know the importance of social media as a marketing tool. However, its demands can be incredibly draining, impacting both your productivity and emotional wellbeing. This episode dives into practical strategies tailored to help you navigate these challenges effectively. 1. Learn why LinkedIn is the preferred platform for professional conversations among medical writers. 2. Discover step-by-step methods to create and manage your content efficiently without the usual stress. 3. Gain tips on time management and maintaining emotional wellbeing while engaging online. **Action (A):** Tune in now to the latest episode of Monday Mentor and take control of your social media presence today! Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:31 Why I choose to solely focus on LinkedIn 02:50 How to manage your social media presence 04:23 Time management strategies for social media 05:01 Being selective about what you respond to 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.
June 24, 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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