From Stethoscope to Pen: Dr. Anubha Karol on Transitioning from Medicine to Medical Writing (Part-2)

Dr. Anubha Karol: As for the different projects, like I said, medical writing is a very different field, and there are a lot of different kinds of things to work on. As for me, I have worked on blogs, health articles, and blog posts. I have written research papers. I have made a CME slide desk. I have worked on editing and writing medical books. I also handle people's social media handles. I have also worked on many technical documents, like advisory board summaries. I have made a lot of posters, brochures, and technical stuff. There was this one company for whom I  used to make 3D animation stuff, so I made the PowerPoints with the content, which they translated into 3D animation. Though I was not the one in 3D animation, I was providing the content through which they made animations. I have also made course content for companies that offer fellowships, any courses, or for doctors. So yeah, I do a lot of different things that keep happening in medical writing, which is why I love it as it always offers a lot of diverse projects. 

Dr. Anubha Karol: When it comes to my writing process, it depends on what I am writing, but there is a basic process I follow. First, I review the project brief provided to me, which may seem obvious but is important to do. Then, I create a rough outline of how I imagine the project to look. After that, I conduct thorough research on the topic. Once all the research is done, I check for plagiarism, as it's easy to plagiarize when writing unintentionally. Then, I start writing the first draft, as I already have my topic, subtopics, and a clear direction from my research. In the first draft, I don’t overthink, I just write everything that comes to my mind. After that, I edit the draft 2-3 times over the next few days. Finally, I work on graphics, references, finalizing, and adding images.

Dr. Anubha Karol: Over the years, the way I choose projects has evolved significantly. When I first started, I would accept any project and client regardless of the payment, as I was still learning and didn't have many clients. Now, I have a clearer understanding of my preferences and the price point below which I won't go. I now consider these factors before taking on any project. I prioritize projects that I enjoy, such as creating course content and managing social media for doctors, as well as those that offer fair compensation. While I don't have any specific dislikes in medical writing, I do have a preference for more creative work. Initially, I didn't turn down any proposals, but now I reject those that don't offer adequate compensation. When considering a project, I'm open to negotiation, but I will decline if the budget doesn't align with my expectations

Dr. Anubha Karol: When I first started out, understanding everything on my own was a major challenge because I had no guidance. I'm grateful for mentors like my first client who taught me a great deal about medical writing, including proper writing techniques, SEO, website creation, and more. My second client, Dr. Natasha, who founded the medical writing agency Hazlo Consultancy, also played a significant role in my learning process. She taught me about research writing and how to write research papers, and introduced me to various software and technical aspects. Before working with her, I mainly focused on writing blogs for the general public because I lacked experience in research writing. However, through my collaboration with her, I gained valuable knowledge in this area. The biggest challenge for me initially was not having any prior knowledge, but thankfully, I found these mentors who provided me with invaluable help.

Dr. Anubha Karol: If you're considering a career change to medical writing or transitioning to a non-clinical role, it's important to explore various options. There are many non-clinical career paths available, so take the time to research and talk to people working in those fields. Consider what a typical workday looks like and whether it aligns with what makes you happy. It's crucial to find a work environment that brings you joy, as this is the only way to truly know if a career path is right for you.

Furthermore, it's advisable to explore multiple options and find what works best for you. Transitioning from clinical work to a non-clinical or corporate environment should not mean moving from one toxic workplace to another. It's also important to release the belief that the time spent in clinical practice is wasted. Non-clinical employers value the clinical knowledge that doctors bring to the table, so it's not time wasted.

Remember, it's okay to let go of past beliefs and pursue what brings you happiness. Embracing the idea that it's acceptable to fail as long as you are content with your chosen path can be liberating.

Dr. Anubha Karol: The challenge of writing for non-medical audiences lies in presenting medical information in a way that is interesting, informative, and easy to understand. While medical professionals know how to talk to patients, it can be difficult to make the content suitable and engaging for non-medical audiences. Anyone can write blogs, but the challenge lies in creating content that non-medical audiences will want to read. This requires a lot of skill and is where the expertise of a medical writer is truly tested.

Dr. Anubha Karol: I am currently satisfied with my clients. But I want to grow my business and attract more high-paying clients, including international ones. Eventually, I want to start my agency, hire people, and expand my team. To achieve these goals, I am actively enhancing my skills not only in medical writing but also in business development. I am continuously seeking new clients, improving my writing, and refining the quality of my work to meet the expectations of high-paying clients. I am preparing myself to meet the demands of prospective high-paying clients.