My Freelance Medical Writing Journey and What I Learned Along the Way

Abstract

My journey into medical writing began over 2 decades ago. This was back in the day when “what is that” was the response to my answer “I am a medical writer” when asked “so, what do you do?” Back then, medical writing was a small niche industry—still is in many ways—but we have certainly come a long way since then. The growth in new drug discoveries, regulatory submissions, and medical education contributed to the almost doubling of the projected global medical writing market from $3.6 billion in 2021 to $11.3 billion by 2032.1 Alongside this growth, interest in the medical writing field has exploded—from newly graduated students with bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, PhDs, or MBAs to established MDs looking for a career change drawn to the flexibility and variety of freelance medical writing. This article shares my journey into freelance medical writing, offering 6 key lessons, insights on opportunities and challenges, and practical guidance on qualifications and compensation to help aspiring or transitioning professionals explore this rewarding, flexible career path.