Medical Writing Certificate

Introduction to Medical Writing
ACPE Number: 0204-0000-22-707-H04-P & T
Credit Hours Earned: 1 contact hour

• Summarize how strengthening medical writing skills improves information dissemination.
• Identify the skills necessary for becoming a medical writer.
• Categorize the types of medical writing.
• Differentiate the components of writing applicable to each type of medical writing.
• Identify employment options for a medical writer. 

Building the Foundational Principles for Medical Writing
ACPE Number: 0204-0000-22-708-H04-P & T
Credit Hours Earned: 3.25 contact hours

• Compare writing styles for effectiveness.
• Apply writing tips in compositions.
• Differentiate active and passive voice.
• Demonstrate the use of active voice in written work.
• Identify the principles of Adult Learning Theory.
• Analyze writing samples for effective language use.
• Summarize the evidence for changing health-related language.
• Identify language guidelines and resources.
• Apply language guidelines to writing.
• Select appropriate messages for health-related writing content.
• Apply principles of plain language to writing.
• Demonstrate writing that reflects strengths-based, person-centered messages.
• Differentiate helpful and potentially harmful written messages. 

Biostats 101
ACPE Number: 0204-0000-22-709-H04-P & T
Credit Hours Earned: 2 contact hours

• Analyze types and strengths and limitations of data and statistics.
• Calculate standard deviation, coefficient of variation, range, interquartile range, and standard error of the mean.
• Differentiate hypothesis testing, decision errors, p-values, and confidence intervals.
• Interpret the similarities and differences between statistical tests used to compare two or more groups.
• Interpret the similarities and differences between regression, correlation, and survival analyses for appropriate use. 

Navigating the Literature Search
ACPE Number: 0204-0000-22-710-H04-P & T
Credit Hours Earned: 2 contact hours

• Prioritize efficiency and effectiveness in searching free online search engines and databases.
• Develop multiple approaches for finding full text articles.
• Analyze the content of scholarly healthcare literature on authoritative attributes (e.g., research impact factor, author credentials, and overall journal quality).
• Differentiate studies (e.g., Case Studies, Randomized Control Trials, Systematic Reviews, Clinical Practice Guidelines) to determine which has the highest quality of evidence.
• Compare free health sciences databases and subscription-based databases.
• Select keywords and MeSH headings to gain experience building search strategies in PubMed.
• Identify citation management tools for storing research results. 

Legal and Ethical Considerations
ACPE Number: 0204-0000-22-711-H04-P & T
Credit Hours Earned: 2.5 contact hours

• Given a case, interpret how to handle an ethical situation as a medical writer.
• Assess copyright permission needs for appropriate material use.
• Analyze levels of contributions for authorship determination.
• Discuss the pros and cons of medical writing.
• Design a freelance writing contract/agreement.
• Describe what can constitute a conflict of interest.
• Create a business plan for medical writing. 

Made You Look: Data Visualization & Supplemental Materials
ACPE Number: 0204-0000-22-712-H04-P & T
Credit Hours Earned: 3 contact hours

• Choose a visualization component (graph, table, figure, etc.) that best prioritizes knowledge and application for draft content.
• Apply formatting (font family, font size, font leading, font tracking, font kerning, color, icon use, etc.) that ensures digestibility and readability of data.
• Prioritize the integrity of data.
• Design visualizations that assist in telling the story. 

Understanding the Editorial Process
ACPE Number: 0204-0000-22-713-H04-P & T
Credit Hours Earned: 3.5 contact hours

• Describe a stepwise approach to conducting peer review of manuscripts under consideration by biomedical journals.
• Describe the biomedical journal publication process from beginning to end.
• Assess the peer review process challenges faced by biomedical journals, including how journals can address them.
• Apply a stepwise approach to the peer review process including responding to reviewers’ comments.

Social Media in Medical Writing
ACPE Number: 0204-0000-22-714-H04-P & T
Credit Hours Earned: 1 contact hour

• Assess the benefits of using social media to reach the public and key stakeholders.
• Assess the qualifications for thought leadership and the activities associated with successful thought leadership.
• Differentiate the sections of an op ed and strategies for approaching each section.
• Analyze the challenges associated with writing for the public and strategies for dealing with those challenges. 

Scientific and Scholarly Writing
ACPE Number: 0204-0000-22-715-H04-P & T
Credit Hours Earned: 2.75 contact hours

• Compare the types of scholarly work.
• Select an appropriate journal for submission, based on mission, vision, and/or aim of the journal.
• Identify where to obtain journal formatting instructions.
• Categorize the key sections of a manuscript.
• Differentiate between data reporting tools.
• Choose the intended outcome of your writing (motivating change, sharing insights, etc.).
• Select the most appropriate platform for your writing (poster, research proposal, abstract, journal publication, etc.).
• Design an engaging manuscript to achieve your objectives. 

Basics of Grant Writing
ACPE Number: 0204-0000-22-716-H04-P & T
Credit Hours Earned: 1.5 contact hours

• Interpret requests for proposals (RFPs) to understand the funding organizations needs and priorities.
• Analyze your organization’s priorities and strengths to select grant/funding opportunities that are most likely to generate success, both for the grantor and awardee.
• Design a comprehensive and compelling grant proposal.
• Differentiate a grant proposal from other applicants. 

Instructional Writing
ACPE Number: 0204-0000-22-717-H04-P & T
Credit Hours Earned: 2.75 contact hours

• Identify the elements of instructional design.
• Differentiate the sections of an educational needs assessment.
• Analyze assessment question construction.
• Modify presentation development workflow to save time, incorporate branding, and create engaging presentations.
• Interpret the objective(s) and target audience of a presentation to apply appropriate elements and design.
• Compare features in PowerPoint to choose which functions will efficiently and effectively share educational messaging.
• Given a scenario, choose appropriate PowerPoint elements, design a brand theme based on a logo, and apply master slide setup. 

Thinking Outside the Box for Additional Medical Writing Opportunities
ACPE Number: 0204-0000-22-718-H04-P & T
Credit Hours Earned: 2.25 contact hours

• Apply regulations and expectations to types of medical marketing materials.
• Compare scientific and regulatory writing, including format, writing style, and technical guidelines.
• Analyze a consent form for an investigational review board (IRB)-approved study.
• Differentiate the phases of the drug development process.
• Identify ways to find freelance opportunities, including using personal marketing and developing client relationships.