Write Medicine

Are you struggling to create compelling needs assessments that win over supporters in today's evolving medical education landscape?

As a medical education grant writer or provider, you know that crafting targeted, data-driven needs assessments is crucial for securing funding and delivering impactful education. However, piecing together the right data and telling a persuasive story can be challenging, especially with the increasing expectations from supporters.

1. Gain expert insights from Nathalie Turner MS, ELS, a nearly 30-year veteran in medical education, on what makes a needs assessment compelling to supporters.

2. Learn the must-haves versus nice-to-haves in needs assessments and tips for balancing different stakeholder interests.

3. Discover where needs assessments are heading in the coming years and how to stay ahead of the curve.

Tune in now to hear Natalie share her wealth of knowledge and experience, empowering you to create winning needs assessments that secure funding and drive meaningful change in healthcare.

Director, Grant Development, Medscape Education

LinkedIn

00:00 Introduction

01:40 Introducing Nathalie and grant development

04:03 How needs assessments have changed in the last 3 decades

06:00 Working with the old model of a literature review

10:00 Steps to gathering supporter preferences for grant proposals

11:42 Must-haves versus nice-to-haves in proposals and needs assessments

13:48 What gaps are

15:20 Types of training and development the community needs to get even better at that investigative process

17:46 Balancing interests of different grant proposal readers

19:23 Challenges in compiling compelling needs assessment and grant proposals

20:20 Future trends in needs assessments and grant proposals

21:17 Nathalie's perspective on AI's role in writing needs assessments

23:28 Her thoughts on what's important to the needs assessment process

24:41 3 Key considerations for approaching needs assessments

27:07 Key takeaways from today's episode you can put into action right away

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast for more valuable insights on continuing medical education content for health professionals. Click the Follow button and subscribe on your favorite platform.

Mentioned in this episode:

Fall Back to School Sale

We're running a back-to-school sale September 2 through 12. Standalone CME writing toolkits, business kits, and quarterly WriteCME Pro membership — all at the best pricing we've offered this year. Everything's at www.alexhowson.com. Link's in the show notes.

Overcome medical writing self-doubt through mindset shifts and peer connections.

Are you struggling to gain confidence and overcome self-doubt in your medical writing career? 

Today in Monday Mentor, we tackle the common challenges CME writers face in today's rapidly changing landscape. From navigating client expectations to proving your value as a strategic partner, we share practical tips to help you thrive as a medical writer.

Discover how to:

1. Shift your mindset from self-doubt to expert

2. Communicate effectively with clients to clarify project scope and expectations 

3. Advocate for your value in driving content strategy

Tune in now to learn powerful strategies for conquering self-doubt and mastering your role as a CME writer.

00:00 Introduction

01:25 Addressing context

02:32 Develop and reinforce your professional identity

05:05 External factors driving self-doubt

08:01 Overcoming self-doubt

10:49 Navigating CME writing

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast for more valuable insights on continuing medical education content for health professionals. Click the Follow button and subscribe on your favorite platform.

Mentioned in this episode:

Outcomes Architect Sprint

Want to finally master outcomes reports? Join my 4-Week Outcomes Reports Sprint and walk away with a polished, portfolio-ready sample plus templates, coaching, and lifetime tools. Spots are limited—sign up at [insert URL].

CMEpalooza

CMEpalooza Fall is a 1-day event scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, that will feature a series of sessions relevant across the CME/CE spectrum. Broadcasts will stream live on the LIVE page of this website and be available for viewing shortly after their conclusion on the Archive page. There is no charge to view or participate in any of these sessions.

What really happens behind the scenes when a severely injured trauma patient arrives at the hospital?  

Emergency care providers need to act quickly and coordinate seamlessly with their team when seconds count to save a trauma patient's life. But the high-stakes, chaotic environment can make it challenging to stay calm, avoid errors, and prevent burnout, especially if you don't get to practice those skills regularly.

Stephen Cohn MD says trauma surgeons need to be experts at dealing with calamity. They are glue people, helping to hold together the entire hospital enterprise. In today's episode you'll get:

Listen now to hear Dr. Cohn's wisdom gleaned from 40+ years of managing the worst injuries imaginable.

Stephen M. Cohn MD. All Bleeding Stops: Life and Death in the Trauma Unit. Mayo Clinic Press. 2023.

00:00 Introduction

01:40 Walk-through of the arrival of a trauma patient at the trauma center

10:14 Feelings in the trauma center and coordinated teamwork

14:12 Continuing medical education and team training

17:32 The work that trauma & general surgeons do and a wide array of potential surgical intervention

19:16 Innovations that have redefined and impacted trauma care

21:39 Common errors and misconceptions

23:27 Advice for younger surgeons on preventing burnout and preserving energy

25:37 Institutional support and resources

27:27 Key takeaways

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast for more valuable insights on continuing medical education content for health professionals. Click the Follow button and subscribe on your favorite platform.

Mentioned in this episode:

Fall Back to School Sale

We're running a back-to-school sale September 2 through 12. Standalone CME writing toolkits, business kits, and quarterly WriteCME Pro membership — all at the best pricing we've offered this year. Everything's at www.alexhowson.com. Link's in the show notes.

Kristen Dascoli, a seasoned pro with experience on both the editorial and business development sides of CME, pulls back the curtain on the development of a pioneering program on gender-affirming HIV care.

ELEVATE was a groundbreaking CME initiative that aimed to enhance healthcare providers' cultural competencies in delivering gender-affirming care to transgender and gender-diverse patients. From its pilot in January 2015 to its conclusion in the summer of 2019, ELEVATE conducted 26 trainings across 14 states, partnering with 9 chapters of the American Academy of Family Physicians, a county healthcare agency, and 13 health systems. The initiative reached nearly 1,500 healthcare professionals in primary care, infectious disease, and HIV practice settings through live events, an online webinar, interviews, and a published white paper, ultimately inspiring the creation of a Transgender Advisory Committee at one of the participating health systems.

1. Discover how a little targeted research into supporters' educational focus can help you create needs assessments that resonate with funders, while maintaining the highest standards of independence and objectivity.

2. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the development of ELEVATE and learn how you can apply similar strategies to bring your own visionary ideas to life.

3. Master the art of designing education that starts smart, scales strategically, and captures meaningful, measurable outcomes that demonstrate real-world impact.

McCrea AD, Dascoli KL. Inclusion in Education, Part 1: Designing a Gender-affirming Educational Initiative. Alliance Almanac. October 2017.

McCrea AD, Dascoli KL. Inclusion in Education, Part 2: A New Method for Measuring Changes in Skill, Attitude, and Behavior. Alliance Almanac. April 2018.

Freelance Medical Writer/Editor/Business Consultant

00:00 Introduction

02:40 Kristen's Background in CME

03:54 The changes in the process of writing needs assessments

05:52 Walking through the process of the development and impact of a program like Elevate

12:13 Lessons from the pilot program of Elevate

15:42 How Elevate changed Kristen and the organization she worked in

19:56 How to establish and build relationships

23:40 Starting conversations for collaboration

27:22 Surprising outcomes and feedback

30:42 Advice for education providers who want to develop innovative programs

34:23 How to start to be brave and make connections

37:52 Challenges writers have when writing a needs assessment for a grant proposal

44:18 Recap of today's episodes key takeaways

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast for more valuable insights on continuing medical education content for health professionals. Click the Follow button and subscribe on your favorite platform.

Are you a clinician, researcher or academic transitioning into CME writing? Do you sometimes feel like you're starting over from scratch, despite your wealth of expertise? Are you struggling with self-doubt, isolation, or imposter syndrome as you navigate this new path?

If so, you're in the right place. In this episode, we'll dive into the common anxieties faced by new CME writers and share practical strategies to help you reframe your thinking, build confidence, and thrive in your new role. 

You'll learn how to leverage your existing knowledge, find support to combat isolation, and approach uncomfortable feelings with curiosity and compassion. By the end, you'll have a toolkit of insights and practices to help you move past self-doubt and build a successful career in CME writing.

So if you're ready to honor your expertise, connect with a supportive community, and grow into your new identity as a CME writer - keep listening. Let's get started!

Here are 3 key takeaways and action steps from the episode:

1. Remember your expertise

2. Find support to combat isolation

3. Use practical strategies to boost confidence

By leveraging your expertise, finding support, and using practical strategies to navigate self-doubt, you can transform anxiety into opportunities for growth and thrive in your CME writing journey.

➡️ Grab your WriteCME Roadmap! Get access to this complimentary ebook, designed to help you break into CME, find clients, and hone your craft.

➡️ Ready for skills, scaffolding, and support? Join WriteCME Pro

➡️ Claire Bonneau/Email Marketing

Website

LinkedIn

00:00 Introduction

02:46 Ways to reframe your thinking

05:25 Overcoming isolation as a freelancer

07:37 A practice for facing self-doubt

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast for more valuable insights on continuing medical education content for health professionals. Click the Follow button and subscribe on your favorite platform.

Mentioned in this episode:

CMEpalooza

CMEpalooza Fall is a 1-day event scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, that will feature a series of sessions relevant across the CME/CE spectrum. Broadcasts will stream live on the LIVE page of this website and be available for viewing shortly after their conclusion on the Archive page. There is no charge to view or participate in any of these sessions.

Outcomes Architect Sprint

Want to finally master outcomes reports? Join my 4-Week Outcomes Reports Sprint and walk away with a polished, portfolio-ready sample plus templates, coaching, and lifetime tools. Spots are limited—sign up at [insert URL].

Are you struggling with feelings of self-doubt in your continuing education career?

If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or doubtful about your abilities in continuing education's fast-paced, ever-changing world, you're not alone. In this episode of Write Medicine, Milini Mingo reviews the history of the imposter phenomenon, shares a three-step approach to navigating self-doubt, and challenges the CE community to create professional development resources for ourselves that are oriented around improvement in our competence and performance.

1. Recognize how self-doubt or imposter phenomenon shows up as the first step towards managing it effectively.

2. Learn practical strategies for managing self-doubt, including reframing negative narratives and implementing tools to support your growth.

3. Find encouragement and a sense of community, knowing that others in the CE field have faced and overcome similar struggles.

LinkedIn

Mingo M. Back to Basics: The 7 Pillars of CE. Alliance Almanac. March 27, 2024.

Mingo M. Imposter Syndrome: Is It Holding You Back? Alliance Almanac. November 13, 2023.

Website

LinkedIn

00:00 Introduction

02:31 Introducing Milini

06:28 The big picture of continuing education

07:43 The 7 pillars of CE

12:18 Why she wrote the piece for the Alliance Almanac on imposter syndrome

14:49 How the article resonated with people in the field

15:24 Exploring imposter syndrome: What it is and how it shows up

17:12 The consequences of imposter syndrome

18:41 Milini’s thoughts on imposter syndrome vs imposter phenomenon

21:43 How imposter syndrome shows up and affects people’s work

23:45 How to collectively start to affirm people's presence in this field and provide support that dissipates imposter syndrome

25:20 Key takeaways on moving forward in the CME field

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast for more valuable insights on continuing medical education content for health professionals. Click the Follow button and subscribe on your favorite platform.

Mentioned in this episode:

Fall Back to School Sale

We're running a back-to-school sale September 2 through 12. Standalone CME writing toolkits, business kits, and quarterly WriteCME Pro membership — all at the best pricing we've offered this year. Everything's at www.alexhowson.com. Link's in the show notes.

How can you break into the rewarding and lucrative field of continuing medical education (CME) writing?

If you're a health professional, academic, science researcher, or vet looking to transition into a career that offers more autonomy, flexibility, and meaningful work, this episode is for you. Discover how to leverage your existing skills and passion for writing, healthcare, and lifelong learning to create engaging educational content that supports health professionals and improves patient care.

By listening to this episode, you'll learn:

1. The five essential milestones to pave your way to success as a CME writer

2. Core competencies needed to excel in CME writing

3. Practical strategies for building your portfolio and networking to lay the foundation for landing your first CME writing projects

1. Understanding the CME landscape is crucial: Familiarize yourself with the history, purpose, and function of CME, including policies, ethics, and key stakeholders in this highly regulated field.

2. Develop core competencies: To succeed as a CME writer, in addition to strong writing skills, you need to be conversant with medical terminology, have solid research abilities, and be able to apply adult learning principles to content.

3. Build relationships and showcase your expertise: Networking is paramount in the close-knit CME community. Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with education providers, attend industry events, and showcase your expertise.

Ehrlich A. Introduction to Medical Terminology. Cengage, 2014. 

Stanford. Writing in the Sciences

Jones BD. Comprehensive Medical Terminology. 2016 

Zinsser W. On Writing Well. The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction. New York: Harper Perennial. 2016. 

Zinsser W. Writing to Learn. New York: Harper Perennial. 1993. 

How to streamline your medical writing literature review process

How to choose the right literature review approach for your medical writing project

Claire Bonneau, Email Newsletter Writer

00:00 Introduction

01:57 Milestone 1: Understanding CME

04:20 Milestone 2: Adult Learning Principles

05:27 Milestone 3: Formats and Deliverables in CME

06:41 Milestone 4: Core Competencies

09:57 Milestone 5: Connecting with Prospects and Networking

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast for more valuable insights on continuing medical education content for health professionals. Click the Follow button and subscribe on your favorite platform.

Mentioned in this episode:

Outcomes Architect Sprint

Want to finally master outcomes reports? Join my 4-Week Outcomes Reports Sprint and walk away with a polished, portfolio-ready sample plus templates, coaching, and lifetime tools. Spots are limited—sign up at [insert URL].

CMEpalooza

CMEpalooza Fall is a 1-day event scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, that will feature a series of sessions relevant across the CME/CE spectrum. Broadcasts will stream live on the LIVE page of this website and be available for viewing shortly after their conclusion on the Archive page. There is no charge to view or participate in any of these sessions.

Have you ever wondered how gender inequities affect career progression in the world of continuing medical education/professional development (CME/CPD)?

In this episode, we explore women's pervasive challenges in CME and CPD, from microaggressions to barriers in leadership roles. Whether you're looking to climb the career ladder or simply gain insights into the dynamics of gender equality within your field, this conversation sheds light on critical issues affecting many in the industry.

1. Discover strategies to navigate and overcome gender-based barriers to career advancement in CME and CPD.

2. Learn how to build and leverage a supportive network that can help propel your career forward.

3. Gain insights into the real experiences and solutions from industry veterans Poonam Kapadia and Annette Schwind, who have successfully navigated these waters.

Tune in to arm yourself with the knowledge and tools needed to advocate for equity and forge a path to leadership in medical education.

Poonam Kapadia, Vice President, Education Strategy: [email protected]

Annette Schwind, Associate Director, Medical Grants & Sponsorships, LinkedIn, [email protected]

Field E, Krivkovich A, Kügele S, Robinson N, Yee L. Women in the Workplace Report, McKinsey, 2023.

00:00 Introduction

01:35 Introducing Poonam and Annette

05:37 How they started getting interested in gender inequities in CME/CPD

10:45 More about the poll they took at the Alliance panel in New Orleans 2024 and what surprised them

14:00 Women’s experiences of microaggressions 

16:09 Starting the conversation on intersectionality

20:09 Addressing pay inequities

25:53 Building trust in a distributed field

32:31 Skills and strategies for women navigating CME careers

36:32 Practical takeaways from today's episode

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast for more valuable insights on continuing medical education content for health professionals. Click the Follow button and subscribe on your favorite platform.

Mentioned in this episode:

Fall Back to School Sale

We're running a back-to-school sale September 2 through 12. Standalone CME writing toolkits, business kits, and quarterly WriteCME Pro membership — all at the best pricing we've offered this year. Everything's at www.alexhowson.com. Link's in the show notes.

Are you tired of feeling like your freelance medical writing business is running you, instead of the other way around?

Many freelance medical writers find themselves stuck in a reactive cycle, pouring all their time and energy into client projects but neglecting the strategic work that will actually move their business forward. They dream of a thriving, fulfilling business where they're in the driver's seat, but struggle to find the time or headspace to make it a reality amidst the constant deadlines and demands.

You are the most important resource in your business. In this episode you’ll learn:

If you're ready to take control of your freelance medical writing journey and build a business that truly energizes and fulfills you, hit play now and let's dive into why YOU are your most important resource.

Claire Bonneau, Email Newsletter Writer

Write Medicine Insider

Niche Discovery Checklist

00:00 Introduction

02:18 Working in vs working on your business

02:55 3 steps to take today to work on your business

04:24 Discernment is key to your freelance medical writing business when thinking about investing in yourself

06:46 3 steps to take today to be discerning with your yes and your no

09:12 Leveraging social media for your freelance medical writing success

10:43 3 steps to take today to focus your time and effort on social media

13:25 Scaling your business intentionally

13:58 3 steps to take right now to start scaling your business with intention

16:34 Prioritizing your well-being

17:54 3 steps to take right now to start taking care of yourself

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast for more valuable insights on continuing medical education content for health professionals. Click the Follow button and subscribe on your favorite platform.

Mentioned in this episode:

Fall Back to School Sale

We're running a back-to-school sale September 2 through 12. Standalone CME writing toolkits, business kits, and quarterly WriteCME Pro membership — all at the best pricing we've offered this year. Everything's at www.alexhowson.com. Link's in the show notes.

Are you curious about the role of Medical Affairs in Independent Medical Education (IME)? Perhaps you're struggling to demonstrate the value and impact of your programs in a way that resonates with IME teams.

IME is evolving. Today’s episode with IME expert Nancy Paynter discusses the pivotal role of IME within the broader scope of medical affairs and provides valuable insights to help you effectively communicate your initiative's impact to IME personnel.

By tuning in, you'll discover:

Don't miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the evolving role of IME and medical affairs and their strategic priorities.

1. Independent Medical Education is becoming more closely integrated with medical affairs, aligning with broader organizational goals and cross-functional partnerships.

2. Medical affairs teams use the four-stage "scientific journey" framework to plan their engagement strategies and meet clinicians where they are in their understanding and adoption of new evidence. The stages include Awareness, Agreement, Adoption, and Advocacy.

3. CME can support the scientific journey while maintaining independence by conducting root cause analyses of practice and care gaps, employing data-driven strategies, and adapting educational materials based on real-time feedback and learner outcomes. By doing so, CME is well-positioned to serve as a strategic partner to IME in driving meaningful educational outcomes.

Medical Affairs Professional Society (MAPS)

Industry reports from McKinsey and Deloitte discuss the evolving role of Medical Affairs

Moore's Outcomes Framework

[email protected]

00:00 Introduction

01:56 What medical affairs is and how it’s evolving

05:58 Understanding Independent Medical Education (IME)

10:48 Transformation in IME work within medical affairs

19:20 Pharma company thinking about the scientific journey and how accredited CME can support it

23:12 Use of Moore's framework in medical education

28:10 How CME can partner with medical affairs

30:48 Accredited CME professionals communicating touch points with IME counterparts

33:09 Nancy’s final thoughts

37:39 Key takeaways from episode 118

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast for more valuable insights on continuing medical education content for health professionals. Click the Follow button and subscribe on your favorite platform.