Medical journalism

This page outlines opportunities in medical journalism, including the skills you will need and how to maximise your chances of getting in.

What opportunities are there?

there are opportunities in press, radio, television and on-line journalism
there is fierce competition (from people from both media and medical backgrounds) for a limited number of posts
many doctors take on these roles as an addition, rather than an alternative to their clinical work
there are benefits to working as a clinician as well as a freelance medical journalist; you can maintain professional credibility and recognition as well as keeping your knowledge up to date by researching and writing news articles and features

You need to be able to write clearly and quickly, and adapt your style to suit a variety of publications. Ways to develop these skills include:

Getting in
- make contact with editors of relevant journals, medical publications and websites and submit articles for publication. If you are unsuccessful ask for feedback and use this to improve your submissions
- become a member of the Medical Journalists Association – editors often use this organisation to source freelance journalists
- copy-editing or proof-reading for a medical publisher, medical communications agency or a pharmaceutical company can be a way to gain valuable experience for medical journalism
- The University of Westminster offers a Medical Journalism BA Honours. This is a one-year course designed for intercalating medical students who have successfully completed a minimum of two years of a basic medical sciences BSc Honours (pre-clinical). This course is designed to prepare you for a career in medical journalism alongside working as a doctor
Further information
- Medical Journalists Association