V39 N3 / 2024 

©2024 American Medical Writers Association. All rights reserved.  
ISSN 2163-5315

AMWAJournal.org     11

THEME ARTICLE

ABSTRACT 
Ensuring that associate medical writers are set up for 
success requires a well-planned entry-level program that 
integrates training sessions with on-the-job experience. 
We describe how we have crafted our program for entry-
level candidates—starting from our interview process 
and moving to our training program, how we embed 
them into teams and provide on-the-job training, how 
our support network is structured, and how we measure 
success. Feedback from recent participants in our 
training program offers valuable hands-on insights. A 
robust foundation of publication training is key to the 
development of our medical writers, providing skills and 
helping them develop many of the key attributes that 
underpin success, including attention to detail, effective 
storytelling, and industry compliance. Our profession 
is not static, and training programs need to be agile 
and pivot quickly to accommodate evolving industry 
standards, new technologies, and fluctuating client and 
audience needs and challenges. Staying up to date with 
future developments in medical writing is crucial, and we 
do our utmost to train and support our team and future-
proof our training, so our junior writers are well equipped 
to excel and have fulfilling careers in the life sciences 
communication industry.

INTRODUCTION
Medical writers play a pivotal role in ensuring that clinical 
research findings reach their target audience in a timely 
manner. As the health care communication landscape 
evolves, nurturing the new generation of medical writers 
is paramount. Developing an engaging, informative, and 
relevant training program for aspiring medical writers will 
prepare them for the varied aspects of their working life and 
ensure they have the best start to their careers.
 Through comprehensive training, medical writers 
develop their skills to disseminate scientifically accurate, 
engaging, and industry-compliant information that will 

contribute to knowledge of health care advances and 
ultimately benefit patients. It is essential, therefore, to 
understand and nurture the multifaceted role of a medical 
writer. The ability to pivot between diverse types of 
projects—with strategic acumen, a sharp eye for accuracy, 
proficiency with digital tools, and a flair for scientific 
storytelling—is no mean feat, particularly in the rapidly 
evolving life sciences communication industry. Given 
that the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in 
medical communication is progressing at a rapid pace, the 
skills of the medical writer must evolve too. Expertise in 
the critical evaluation of GenAI content will be an essential 
skill as, in the not-so-distant future, this task becomes a 
part of a medical writer’s daily life. Leaders of entry-level 
training programs have a responsibility not to shy away 
from this new technology but to embrace it, train for it, 
understand how it impacts our clients and audiences, and 
incorporate it into training plans. 
 A medical writing career can be an inspiring and 
exciting one. With opportunities for continued learning and 
knowledge expansion through training and experience, 
there is rarely a dull moment in this field! To ensure that 
medical writers are set up for success throughout their 
careers, training programs should be tailored to all levels of 
ability and experience. This demonstrates the company’s 
investment in staff and encourages an environment 
of shared responsibility for continuous learning and 
development. For example, in addition to our entry-level 
program (IGNITE), the authors’ company also offers an 
internship program and training tailored to mid-level staff 
and those moving into leadership positions. These training 
programs are designed to build confidence in projects of 
increasing complexity, provide more in-depth training on 
strategic oversight, and ensure the development of broad 
leadership skills. To enhance understanding of the purpose 
and connection with the training, across all levels, we tailor 
it around our four company values: be brave, be human, be 
passionate, and be exceptional (Box 1).

Training the Medical Writers of the Future Using a Structured Entry-
Level Program: A Life Sciences Communications Agency Perspective
Michelle Utton-Mishra, PhD, CMPP1; Melissa K. Purves, PhD, CMPP2; Linda Mascarenhas, MS1; 
Valerie Moss, PhD, CMPP1 / 1Prime, London, United Kingdom; 2Prime, Knutsford, United Kingdom

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AMWAJournal.org     12Training the Medical Writers of the Future Using a Structured Entry-Level Program

Here, we describe our 
entry-level program for 
the benefit of potential 
future medical writers 
and those wishing to 
set up a similar training 
program, sharing what 
training works well, 
offering feedback from 
our recent trainees, and 
offering insight into 
how we are developing 
the medical writers of 
the future.

OUR ENTRY-LEVEL 
PROGRAM
At Prime, our entry-
level program, which encompasses 12 months of training 
and on-the-job experience, has been running in its current 
format for over five years across the United Kingdom, 
Europe, and the United States. The 
program is designed to train junior 
medical, market access, and patient 
writers, account executives, and 
editors to become the life sciences 
communication stars of the future 
(Figure 1). Regardless of department, 
our trainees attend all sessions 
and gain broad awareness of the 
skills needed across the field of life 
sciences communication through 
incorporation of elements of writing, 
editing, and client service projects 
into the entry-level training sessions. 
In this way, we equip all junior 
staff with skills and understanding 
relevant to many areas of the 

life sciences communication world, providing a good 
introduction to collaboration and how to function within a 
high-performing team.
 Our journey begins with our rigorous recruitment 
process. For aspiring writers, this process involves writing 
a mini review per a detailed brief with source materials; 
a live, timed writing test; and real-life scenario interview 
discussions. When successful candidates come onboard, 
they enter our program from their first day. We assign 
each candidate to a home team with a line manager in 
that same home team. They integrate into the workings 
of that team, getting up to speed with the team’s ongoing 
work, shadowing colleagues, and taking on live tasks with 
supervision from their second week. We also assign each 
candidate a buddy (usually someone from a different team 
who has been through the entry-level program themselves) 
who can befriend, support, and answer any questions more 
casually than a line manager and be a friendly face around 
the office.
 We start our training by bringing the candidates together 
in a live classroom setting. They have the opportunity to 
spend time with each other, which builds camaraderie 
among peers, and are introduced to many of our team, both 
for training and informal catch-ups over coffee. We aim to 
create an environment in which everyone feels nurtured, 
comfortable to learn, and encouraged to contribute. Our 
training program for medical writers is crafted by our senior 
scientific team, including our chief scientific officer. The 
training is delivered by a variety of individuals who have 
recent hands-on experience, including senior medical 
writers, and scientific directors. We also organize many 
sessions given by the wider team, including members of 
the client services, editorial, finance, digital, evidence 
and access, and patient engagement teams. This ensures 

What are your top tips for someone 
starting a medical writing career?
Firstly, to read published manu-
scripts and any other available mat- 
erial; secondly, to ask for feedback 
and be open to feedback—talk to 
your colleagues to put things into 
perspective; and lastly, to be exposed 
to as many different types of medical 
writing as possible. Interviewer and 
Hope, an associate medical writer.

Hear Hands-On Experience from  
an Associate Medical Writer

Video 1.  https://f.io/E6aeNhl9

Figure 1. Overview of our entry-level training program. F2F, face to face.

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https://f.io/E6aeNhl9


AMWAJournal.org     13Training the Medical Writers of the Future Using a Structured Entry-Level Program

our trainees have a fully rounded introduction to various 
aspects of life sciences communication. Our initial round of 
training sessions set the scene by introducing the job role 
and pharmaceutical development process, along with soft 
skills to build confidence. For example, introductory sessions 
include An Introduction to: Pharma and An Introduction to: 
Drug Development, also some role-specific sessions, such 
as Spotlight on: Client Services. After these initial settling-in 
sessions, the program expands to cover the many elements 
of life sciences communication in a blend of live, virtual, and 
self-led training sessions. Topics include:

• core publications skills (how to data or fact check, 
how to approach writing an abstract),

• digital production (marking up PDFs, working with 
the creative team, how to approach developing a 
poster), and 

• patient engagement (spotlight on patient engagement 
and centricity).

 In addition, we keep the program fresh and introduce 
contemporary subjects as they arise, such as the impact of 
GenAI on our industry and how to verify GenAI content, 
presented by in-house subject matter experts. We pair 
the topics with the most appropriate method of delivery, 
based on the length of the training and level of interactivity 
required. Straightforward topics are either delivered 
as virtual or self-led sessions, whereas more involved, 
interactive training is performed live. Having a range of 
delivery approaches means that, overall, sessions are well-
attended, and trainees are engaged.
 We are conscious that everyone may have different 
preferences for learning styles, so our curriculum comprises 
bite-size training materials, slides, videos, task-based 
learning, and discussion-based sessions. We ask that 
cameras are turned on for virtual and hybrid sessions, and 
ensure the format is as interactive as possible, including 
polls, asking questions throughout, and allowing ample 
time at the end for discussion. All sessions are recorded and 
shared, so anyone can return to materials at a later date or 
catch up on any topics they may have missed.
 Line managers, buddies, and the program organizers 
work together to ensure everyone’s needs are met and views 
heard. During the 12-month program, we organize group 
training days in which we ensure everyone meets face-to-
face for live training sessions and some fun downtime. The 
trainees also have the opportunity to hone their presentation 
skills within a safe space by presenting to each other. The 
program leads track progress, successes, and challenges 
through regular meetings with line managers and trainees. 
A sense of community is encouraged among the trainees 
throughout. We feel the balance of background training, 

on-the-job project work, and genuine care that is taken 
supports company loyalty and encourages staff retention, 
with many of our trainees progressing to mid- and then 
senior-level positions within the company.
 For an associate medical writer, the on-the-job training 
starts with a firm grounding in the need for accuracy and 
attention to detail. They will perform data checks in parallel 
with more senior colleagues until they feel confident and 
ready to go it alone. Publication writing training is built into 
the program early on as it gives a good foundation in the 
other skills needed for medical writing, including experience 
in interpreting data, ability to develop engaging long-form 
storytelling, and adhering to the compliance standards of 
the role. A medical writer supports the author to develop 
drafts of a publication, facilitating timely publication under 
author direction.1 Understanding publication process is an 
important part of initial training and allows our associate 
medical writers to become publication professionals with 
a strong understanding of our own and client procedures, 
and a commitment to publication standards of excellence. 
We also hone scientific storytelling skills throughout all our 
training, ensuring our writers feel empowered to undertake 
multiple project types. 
 As our associate medical writers grow in confidence, 
they begin to engage in other publication projects, taking 
on client and author interaction responsibilities when 

they are ready and 
attending kick-off 
calls, implementation 
of good publication 
practice, and 
development of 
deliverables such as 
graphical abstracts, 
infographics, video 
abstracts, and plain 
language summaries. 
Understanding the 
strategic relevance 
behind a publication 
plan and ensuring 
an omnichannel 
approach to reach the 
right audience, with 
the right material, 
at the right time, via 
the right medium, 
is discussed early 
in the entry-level 
program. The health 
care landscape in 

How might the career of a medical 
writer change in the near future? 
Writers will need to embrace a lot 
of different needs going forward, 
especially in an environment 
where there is strong demand for 
an omnichannel approach. […] In 
addition, writers will need to continue 
to learn more about generative AI 
and how it can help them deliver 
more […] as well as identifying where 
we can innovate using technology 
platforms […], learning how to 
deliver not just science—but deliver 
science strategically. Interviewer and 
Moamen, associate scientific team 
leader and former member of our 
entry-level program.

Hear a Former Trainee Discuss  
His Life Sciences  

Communication Journey

Video 2.  https://f.io/E6aeNhl9

http://www.amwajournal.org
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AMWAJournal.org     14Training the Medical Writers of the Future Using a Structured Entry-Level Program

which medical writers work thrives on interdisciplinary 
collaboration between a broad range of health care 
professionals, researchers, pharmaceutical colleagues, and 
patients. By collaborating with patients and professionals 
from various disciplines, our medical writers gain 
invaluable experience and learn to adapt their writing style 
to different audiences.

How to Measure Success
For our associate medical writers, we benchmark success 
against a set of objectives, some universal to the job 
role and others specifically tailored to each individual. 
These objectives cover research and writing ability, 
communication skills, team working, time management, 
industry compliance, and financial awareness (Figure 2). 
Progress toward objectives is reviewed regularly with line 
managers, and associate medical writers are encouraged 
to keep a record of their achievements in a centralized 
human resources system. Clearly defined promotion criteria 
that assess competency in the objectives outlined above are 
available to line managers and associate medical writers, 
ensuring that standards are transparent and there are no 
hidden hurdles. Similarly, associate medical writers have 
access to clear job descriptions for their current and next role, 
which helps them understand what they need to work toward 
as they progress through their career. This clear, information-
first approach means that all associate medical writers have a 
good understanding of what is expected of them, which helps 
reduce the instances of performance concerns.
 Occasionally, our associate medical writers experience 
challenges as they navigate the complexities of life sciences 
communication, and we have tried-and-tested approaches 
in place to help them overcome any obstacles. These 
approaches include access to buddy mentors who have 
been through the program themselves and can provide 

guidance on how to navigate what is, for many, their first 
job after college. Secondly, our associate medical writers 
have access to a peer support network in the form of 
the other trainees (including other writers, editors, and 
account executives) who are part of their cohort. Learning 
to work as part of a team is a pivotal part of training. Our 
associate medical writers are encouraged to reach out 
to their buddies and peer group to discuss challenges 
and identify solutions; in most cases, challenges can be 
overcome through these informal discussions. We have 
observed first-hand how well this approach works, and how 
effective it is at developing problem-solving skills. Thirdly, 
all associate medical writers have a dedicated, experienced 
line manager with whom they have weekly touchpoints to 
discuss progress, as well as ad hoc catch-ups as needed. 
Line managers are trained to provide support and help their 
line reports to navigate potential challenges. Finally, all our 
trainees have regular meetings with the program heads who 
check in from an emotional and social support perspective. 
These catch-ups are usually informal and provide another 
opportunity to discuss concerns, explore challenges, and 
access support as needed.
 Our approach has shown success since our entry-level 
program began in 2017, with 154 candidates entering the 
program to date. The vast majority of these candidates have 
completed the entry-level program and are highly trained, 
resilient, and well rounded, with a passion for life sciences 
communication and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and 
evolving industry. We are proud that they have gone on to 
fulfilling and rewarding careers, and many are now passing 
on their skills to develop the medical writers of the future.

Ways of Working, Now and in the Future
We have seen many changes in life sciences communication 
since the start of our entry-level program, and it is 

Figure 2. Setting colleagues up for success.

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AMWAJournal.org     15Training the Medical Writers of the Future Using a Structured Entry-Level Program

important that we continue to evolve to ensure we remain 
future-proof. For example, one of our cohorts was initiated 
in 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. We had to 
quickly pivot to a virtual training program while ensuring 
that our new recruits had the same standard of formal 
training and on-the-job learning opportunities as those 
who started before the pandemic. Luckily, our team is 
very resilient; they adapted quickly and embraced these 
needs, taking every care to give our candidates the best 
experience possible. The challenges posed by the pandemic 
underscored the importance of community and added an 
element of joint accountability, with trainees expected to 
attend virtual meetings, specific training sessions, and  
all opportunities for online social events and informal  
get-togethers. 
 Four years on, we (along with many other industries) 
are now very much in a hybrid world. Our trainees are 
encouraged to come into the office for two to three days 
per week. We feel this offers the best of both worlds, with 
trainees exposed to in-person conversations that support 
their learning in an informal way and help them forge close 
relationships more quickly than in the fully virtual setting.
 In the evolving medical writing landscape, embracing 
modular content creation is a crucial mindset shift for 
effective omnichannel communication. The omnichannel 
approach, delivering the right content to the right 
audience at the right time via the right channel, requires 
truly understanding the audience, their needs, and their 
preferred way to receive information. The ability to create 
content in modules that can be adapted across platforms is 
key with this approach and needs to be incorporated into 
processes and training programs to equip medical writers 
with the skills to maximize the reach and impact of data.
 In addition, there has been a lot of interest in the use 
of GenAI to develop medical content, with the aim of 
streamlining workflows and quickly tailoring content to 
different styles and audiences. It is important that our 
writers understand both the risks and the benefits of 
emerging technologies, so we provide clear guidance on 
disclosures, transparency, and the importance of ensuring 
human oversight and validation within our training 
program.2 GenAI may be used in a variety of ways in the 
future, but medical writers will remain the subject matter 
experts. Over time, they will gain skills in critical thinking, 
how to interpret data and provide context, and strategic 
content validation, skills that will be increasingly critical 
and require appropriate training as we move further into  
the GenAI era.

CONCLUSION
Supporting the next generation of highly skilled medical 
writers is a multifaceted endeavor that requires a 
comprehensive training approach encompassing strategic, 
scientific, and clinical knowledge; communication and 
storytelling skills; technological proficiency; and an 
understanding of industry compliance. A comprehensive 
training program will bring together all the necessary 
instructional elements and on-the-job experience to 
empower medical writers to shape the future of life 
sciences communication. We must continuously evolve our 
educational approach and our materials – from updating 
information to staying in line with industry standards to 
improving how we deliver our training sessions. We are 
always looking for new ways to enhance participants’ 
engagement, build in interactivity and discussion-based 
sessions, monitor training achievements, and awareness 
of how to stay ahead of the latest industry trends. Exposing 
medical writers to the plethora of project types and 
approaches we can take to support our clients and inform 
our audiences will encourage them to “Be Brave”—to 
challenge established ways of thinking and suggest an 
alternative solution. This will not only result in forward-
reaching communication that meet target audience needs 
and ultimately result in patients receiving the best care 
possible but will also ensure we always put our best foot 
forward to support successful medical writing careers.

Acknowledgments
Many thanks to all our IGNITE cohorts and our colleagues 
who support in providing and organizing training, line 
management, and overall support. Special thanks to Tom 
Gegeny, ELS, MWC, CMPP, of Prime, New York City, NY, 
for critical review, Gaurav Kumar, MSc, of Prime, London, 
United Kingdom, for input, and Laura McArdle, BA, of 
Prime, New York City, NY, for editing.

Author declaration and disclosures: All authors are employees 
of Prime, Knutsford, United Kingdom.

Author contact: Valerie.Moss@primeglobalpeople.com and 
Michelle.Utton-Mishra@primeglobalpeople.com

References
1.   DeTora LM, Toroser D, Sykes A, et al. Good Publication Practice 

(GPP) guidelines for company-sponsored biomedical research: 
2022 update. Ann Intern Med. 2022;175(9):1298-1304.

2.   International Society for Medical Publication Professionals 
(ISMPP) position statement and call to action on artificial 
intelligence. Curr Med Res Opin. 2024;40(1):9-10.

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