Contents V39 N4 WINTER 2024 5 7 13 19 23 28 31 35 39 40 44 FROM THE GUEST EDITOR › Tom Drake THEME ARTICLES A Beginner’s Guide to Writing for Health Economics and Outcomes Research › Annie Cheang Growth of Health Economics and Outcomes Research and Real-World Evidence in Medical Communication, and Opportunities for Medical Writers › Tom Drake, Lisa Baker, and Caitlin Rothermel Navigating Real-World Evidence Reporting Guidelines › Laura E. Happe and Meg Franklin TOPICAL FEATURE 2024 Medical Communication Compensation Report Executive Summary AROUND THE CAREER BLOCK Leaving the Lab for Biotechnology Writing: A Story of Zero Regrets › Cecilia Petrus and Paul Naphtali CE CRAFT CORNER The Narrative Edge: The Power of Storytelling in Needs Assessments › Rhona Fraser CONSCIOUS WRITING Crumbling Sentences: Isolated and Expletive Pronouns Weaken the Foundation of Clear Medical Writing › Crystal R. Herron CREATIVE WRITING The First Dance › Brianna C. Landis EVERYDAY ETHICS The XYY Story as a Cautionary Tale: How Scientific Misinformation and Common Biases Can Negatively Impact Lives and Opinions › Helena I. Ebeling and Jonathan R. Beckwith FREELANCE FOCUS › Brian Bass, Melissa L. Bogen, Sherri Bowen, Lori De Milto, Cathryn D. Evans, ,and Alex Howson Q1: How do you handle scope creep on a project? What strategies do you use to define project boundaries and manage client expectations? Q2: What are the most effective strategies for negotiating rates with potential clients, especially when there is a significant disparity between your proposed rate and the client’s initial offer? Q3: How do you stay competitive in the freelance medical writing and editing market? What strategies do you use to differentiate yourself from other freelancers? 56% 42% 29% 27% 26% 24% 21% 20% 19% 17% 15% 15% 13% 11% 9% 7% 5% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Artificial intelligence (AI) Advanced medical writing skills Editing/quality control Freelancing Regulatory writing Infographics/visual communications Professional development/career advancement Plain language/lay audiences Regulatory submissions Continuing medical education Grant writing Leadership/management Project management Publications planning Health equity and disparities Other (please specify) Sales training 72 31 7 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael G. Baker, PhD GUEST EDITOR Tom Drake, MA, CMPP MANAGING EDITOR Rachel Mosher, MA SECTION EDITORS Progress in Publications Qing Zhou, PhD, ELS Regulatory Insights Jennifer Bridgers, MS, MWC Science Series Naomi Bishop, MD Statistically Speaking Thomas M. Schindler, PhD Everyday Ethics Julie Ravo, BA, MA Freelance Focus Ruwaida Vakil, MSc CE Craft Corner Haifa Kassis, MD Practical Matters Elizabeth Kukielka, PharmD, MA, MS, MWC Around the Career Block Cecilia Petrus, MSc Technology Talk Kyla Ross, BS, MS REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Freelance Focus Brian G. Bass, MWC Melissa L. Bogen, ELS Sherri Bowen, MA, ELS Lori De Milto, MJ Cathryn D. Evans Gail V. Flores, PhD Alex Howson, PhD Phyllis Minick In the Service of Good Writing Laurie Endicott Thomas, MA, ELS Conscious Writing Crystal R. Herron, PhD, ELS EDITORS IN MEMORIAM Lori L. Alexander, MTPW, ELS, MWC Ronald J. Sanchez 2024–2025 PRESIDENT Roshawn (Shawn) Watson, PharmD, PhD, BCPS 2024–2025 BOARD LIAISON Qing Zhou, PhD, ELS 2024–2025 STAFF LIAISON Shari Rager, MS, CAE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Susan Krug, MS, CAE GRAPHIC DESIGNER Amy Boches, biographics EDITORIAL OFFICE: ManagingEditor@amwa.org. Instructions for authors available at: www.amwajournal.org. ADVERTISING: Contact marketing@amwa.org or (240) 239-0940. All advertising is subject to acceptance by AMWA and should be for products and services relevant to professional medical communicators. AMWA is not responsible for the content of advertising and does not endorse any advertiser or its products or services. SUBSCRIPTION: The AMWA Journal is published quarterly. Subscription is included with AMWA membership. Nonmember subscriptions cost is $75 per year. CONTACT: American Medical Writers Association, 9841 Washingtonian Blvd, Suite 500-26, Gaithersburg, MD 20878. Phone: (240) 238-0940; Fax: (301) 294- 9006; Email: amwa@amwa.org. The AMWA Journal is in the MLA International Bibliography and selectively indexed in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) print index and the CINAHL database. The opinions expressed by authors contributing to the Journal do not necessarily reflect the opinions of AMWA or the institutions with which the authors are affiliated. The association accepts no responsibility for the opinions expressed by contributors to the Journal. ©2024 American Medical Writers Association. All rights reserved. ISSN 2163-5315 AMWA JOURNAL MISSION STATEMENT In support of the mission of the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) and to advance the broader profession, the AMWA Journal publishes content that reflects the interests, concerns, and expertise of medical communicators. Its purpose is to inform, inspire, and motivate medical communicators. M O RE V39 N4 / 2024 48 SCIENCE SERIES Cardiovascular Disease in the Americas: Social Determinants, Public Health Policies, and Recommendations (Part 1) › Alan Silburn 53 Cardiovascular Disease in the Americas: Social Determinants, Public Health Policies, and Recommendations (Part 2) › Alan Silburn AMWA NEWS 57 From the President › Shawn Watson 58 Introducing the 2024–2025 Board of Directors › Shawn Watson 59 AMWA Certificate in Regulatory Writing Core Knowledge › Lynne Munno and Aaron Van Etten 61 The AMWA Medical Writing & Communication Conference Location Selection Process › Shawn Watson, Kim Korwek, Julie Phelan, Jen Minarcik, and Susan Krug 63 Dues Update in 2025 Supports AMWA’s Enhanced Member Value › Shari Rager 65 From Novice to Expert: Establishing a Job Level Framework for Medical Writers ›Janice Worley, Andriana Papaconstantinou, Angela Burnett, Zhiming Zhang, Kimberly Jochman, Laura Sheppard, Julia Cooper, Julia Forjanic Klapproth, Joan Affleck, and Jeanette Towles 72 Results of the 2024 AMWA Member Experience Survey › Kimberly Korwek, Jennifer Minarcik, and Sarah Dobney 74 CALENDAR OF MEETINGS Contents http://www.amwajournal.org