This product is an ASHP Learning Center https://elearning.ashp.org/ activity.
Accreditation
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education with Commendation.
Target Audience
This activity is designed for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who are interested in expanding their knowledge and skills in medical writing.
Overview
The Medical Writing Certificate is a self-guided, online activity that has been created for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians seeking to expand their foundational knowledge and skills associated with medical writing.
Medical writing is a skill that is important for the advancement of the medical community. Writers that create quality research, instructional, and advertisement pieces are important for helping the medical community understand and grasp new concepts and learn about advancements. This certificate will provide education on the foundations of medical writing and opportunities to apply that knowledge in practice exercises.
Medical Writing Certificate Requirement
Once a learner has completed the educational curriculum, they will have the opportunity to complete an online comprehensive exam. Once the learner passes the exam (minimum 80% passing rate; unlimited attempts permitted), they will earn the professional certificate.
Educational Activities
Introduction to Medical Writing
ACPE #: 0204-0000-25-799-H04-P&T
Application-based
1 contact hour
Learning Objectives:
- 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 #: 0204-0000-25-800-H04-P&T
Application-based
3.25 contact hours
Learning Objectives:
- 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 messages.
- 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 #: 0204-0000-25-801-H04-P&T
Application-based
2 contact hours
Learning Objectives:
- 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 analysis for appropriate use.
Navigating the Literature Search
ACPE #: 0204-0000-25-802-H04-P&T
Application-based
2 contact hours
Learning Objectives:
- Prioritize efficiency and effectiveness in searching for 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 #: 0204-0000-25-803-H04-P&T
Application-based
2.5 contact hours
Learning Objectives:
- 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 #: 0204-0000-25-804-H04-P&T
Application-based
3 contact hours
Learning Objectives:
- 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 #: 0204-0000-25-805-H04-P&T
Application-based
3.5 contact hours
Learning Objectives:
- 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 #: 0204-0000-25-806-H04-P&T
Application-based
1 contact hour
Learning Objectives:
- 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 #: 0204-0000-25-807-H04-P&T
Application-based
2.75 contact hours
Learning Objectives:
- 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 #: 0204-0000-25-808-H04-P&T
Application-based
1.5 contact hours
Learning Objectives:
- Interpret requests for proposals (RFPs) to understand the funding organization’s 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 #: 0204-0000-25-809-H04-P&T
Application-based
2.75 contact hours
Learning Objectives:
- 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 #: 0204-0000-25-810-H04-P&T
Application-based
2.25 contact hours
Learning Objectives:
- 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.
Faculty Information
Mary Andrawis, PharmD, MPH, CPHQ
Founder & President
Serafina Health Strategy
Springfield, Virginia
Daniel J. Cobaugh, PharmD, DABAT, FAACT
Vice President, ASHP Publishing Office
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
Editor in Chief
American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy
Bethesda, Maryland
Christine L. Cooper, PharmD
Director, Scientific Projects, Special Projects
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
Bethesda, Maryland
Jane K. Dickinson, RN, PhD, CDCES
Program Director/Senior Lecturer
Teachers College Columbia University
New York, New York
Natalie K. Lueders, MPH, BBA
Founder and Lead Consultant
Natalie Lueders Marketing & Graphic Design
Coto de Caza, California
Milena Murray, PharmD, MSc, BCIDP, AAHIVP, FCCP
Associate Professor
Midwestern University College of Pharmacy
Downers Grove, Illinois
Katherine O'Neal, PharmD, MBA, BCACP, CDCES, BC-ADM, AE-C, CLS, FADCES
Associate Professor
University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Sherry Pagoto, PhD
Professor
University of Connecticut
Storrs, Connecticut
Kevin M. Sowinski, PharmD, FCCP
Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Purdue University, College of Pharmacy
West Lafayette, Indiana
Adjunct Professor of Medicine
Indiana University, School of Medicine
Indianapolis, Indiana
Paula S. Tiedemann, JD
General Counsel, Senior Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
Bethesda, Maryland
Rachel Wedeward, MLIS, AHIP
Research Manager
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Adjunct Instructor
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Relevant Financial Relationship Disclosure
In accordance with our accreditor’s Standards of Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, ASHP requires that all individuals in control of content disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies. An individual has a relevant financial relationship if they have had a financial relationship with an ineligible company in any dollar amount in the past 24 months and the educational content that the individual controls is related to the business lines or products of the ineligible company.
An ineligible company is any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients. The presence or absence of relevant financial relationships will be disclosed to the activity audience.
- No one in control of the content of this activity has a relevant financial relationship (RFR) with an ineligible company.
As defined by the Standards of Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education definition of ineligible company.
Methods and CE Requirements
Each activity consists of audio, video, and/or PDFs and evaluations. Learners must review all content and complete the evaluations to receive continuing pharmacy education credit for each activity.
Follow the prompts to claim, view, or print the statement of credit within 60 days after completing the activity.
Important Note – ACPE 60 Day Deadline:
Per ACPE requirements, CPE credit must be claimed within 60 days of being earned. To verify that you have completed the required steps and to ensure your credits have been reported to CPE Monitor, check your NABP eProfile account to validate that your credits were transferred successfully before the ACPE 60-day deadline. After the 60-day deadline, ASHP will no longer be able to award credit for this activity.
The ASHP Professional Certificates SM educational product line contains learning activities that are ACPE-accredited knowledge and application-based continuing education. This is not an ACPE Certificate Program. Upon successful completion of the activities, the learner will be able to download an ASHP Professional Certificate.
System Technical Requirements
ASHP learning content is delivered through your Web browser. For all learning content, you will need basic computer skills, the ability to navigate web pages and stable internet connection. View the system requirements for learning activities.