Five Steps to Break into CME/CEHP Writing
Your mini-guide to getting started in the CME/CEHP field
If you're looking to get into medical writing, you may still be considering what type of medical writer you want to be. Here at Write Medicine, we love the continuing medical education(CME)and continuing education for health professions(CEHP) aspects of medical writing. As a former clinician or academic and subject matter expert in your field, you can apply your expertise to creating important educational materials as you build a career just for you. Here's your mini-guide to getting started in the CME/CEHP field.
Guest Blog: Rhona Fraser BSc BVMS
Step 1. Get to Know the Continuing Medical Education World
To play a new game, you must start by learning the rules. Transitioning into a new field of work is no different. Continuing medical education and continuing education for health professionals (CME/CEHP) is a stellar subspecialty in medical writing, but it comes with its own set of terminologies and peculiarities.
To break into CME writing, you need to become familiar with the big-picture view of the essentials. Fortunately, a rich literature exists online, along with resources such as CMEpalooza, offering free biannual online conferences for professionals involved in CME/CEHP — delivered with a side order of humor.
Meanwhile, CME Writers Marketplace by Don Harting highlights trends and market needs in CME/CEHP. Don’s book also offers insider advice for freelancers about which education providers hire writers — for this alone, the book is well worth a read. BONUS: Check out Don’s episode on the Write Medicine podcast!
CME comprises any educational activity that helps physicians with their professional responsibilities and may be accredited or non-accredited. Continuing education for health professionals (CEHP) is directed to nurses, pharmacists, and other clinicians. Crucially, commercial organizations providing financial support must not influence accredited CME/CEHP content.
The Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions is the professional home of the CME/CEHP community and is a terrific networking resource for those new to the field.
Step 2. Brush Up on Adult Learning Principles
Creating content for CME/CEHP requires an understanding of both evidence-based medicine and evidence-based education.
Education providers use adult learning principles to design ideal teaching experiences, and CME/CEHP writers should familiarize themselves with adult learning principles to design effective content.
Malcolm Knowles recognized in the 1970s that adult learning differs significantly from childhood learning and outlined principles defining adult learning. First, he argued that adults are more discerning than children and require a different approach centered around the “why.” Adults also bring prior experience to learning encounters that can be integrated with new experiences to enrich the learning process. If you’re looking to break into CME writing, take some time to figure out the learning motivations of your future audience.
Step 3. Get to Know Common Deliverables and Formats in CME/CEHP
You can aid your move into the CME/CEHP field by learning about the different deliverables you can expect to create as a CME writer. Needs assessments are a common, entry-level way to start working in CME/CEHP, but many, many options exist.
CME/CEHP content is offered in various formats, including courses and live presentations in person or online, performance improvement activities, and self-directed learning from teaching, journals, or manuscript reviews.
Learning can also be enhanced through small groups, case-based, or reflective activities.
How can you familiarize yourself with CME/CEHP activity formats? Search online CME/CEHP platforms such as Medscape, The Annenberg Center for Health Sciences, and Clinical Care Options to explore the type and style of formats in the CME/CEHP world. These resources also provide an opportunity to reverse engineer samples for your portfolio.
Step 4. Build Essential Skills by Creating CME/CEHP Writing Samples
It’s common for new CME/CEHP writers to be daunted by the breadth and depth of this field. Recognize the expertise and skills that you bring from your past professional life and explore how they might translate to what CME/CEHP education providers need from writers. Being clear about your skills and services will help you to get your foot in the door.
A good starting point is to identify strengths and weaknesses and pinpoint areas to highlight, as well as those that need work as you strive to become a medical writer. Consider questions such as:
What am I good at, right now? How can these skills be applied in medical technical writing or writing for medical journals?
What do people compliment me on?
What do people ask me for help with?
After compiling your initial list, ask family, friends, colleagues, or a mentor for their input. Alternatively, you can utilize online templates or tools such as the CliftonStrengths Assessment or a SWOT Analysis to identify your strengths.
The challenge of learning the rules of a new game is the same for breaking into a new field. You need the experience to get experience!
Create samples for your portfolio to take ownership of building this experience. In addition, to being a learning exercise, creating samples can also showcase your skillset to potential clients.
Step 5. Start Marketing Your Writing Skills
Once you understand the CME/CEHP industry and are armed with skills and samples, you can begin identifying and talking to prospective clients about their needs. Researching CME/CEHP provider websites will help you appreciate their requirements for CME writers. LinkedIn is also a value-packed platform to research potential clients and begin building relationships.
CME/CEHP is very much a subterranean niche. But you can narrow your focus even further within this specialty. Think about who or which type of client you would like to work with. Or perhaps you are passionate about certain disease states. If you prefer non-profit organizations, medical and healthcare provider associations might be closer to your heart as potential clients or employers. Alternatively, there may be formats you prefer working in — some CME/CEHP writers work exclusively on needs assessments or test questions (which is a premium skill in this field).
Deliberate networking is vital, whether you prefer to work for a company or as a freelance CME writer. If you are moving into freelance work, establish your brand on LinkedIn and create a website to showcase your samples. The Mighty Marketer offers invaluable resources and courses in marketing if you want a bit of guidance.
Now You're Ready to Get Started As a Medical Writer
If you're ready to get started as a CME writer, join us at Write Medicine as we take o clinical and academic experience and use it to enhance CME materials. Your journey to becoming a successful CME writer starts here. Join WriteCME Pro today to take your CME writing skills to the next level.
Get access to the best medical writing resources online and start your career as a CME/CE medical writer today!
→ Join WriteCME Pro, a CME-specific, skills-based membership for CME writers who are ready to create CME content with confidence.
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