INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL WRITING  

05 September 2008, Mercure London, City Bankside, London

This one day training course is intended for anyone interested in becoming a medical writer in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and biotech industries, and who wants to find out more information about available options. Those working alongside medical writers who would like to gain a better understanding of medical writing and the processes involved would also benefit from attending. The course is at an introductory level and is therefore not suitable for experienced medical writers.

The topics covered will include a general overview of medical writing, good writing style, different medical writing environments, and how to get started in medical writing. The training day will involve lectures, and practical exercises designed to promote interaction and discussion. A certificate of attendance will be issued to each attendee. To ensure a successful outcome for delegates, the course is limited to 20 participants.

For further details, please see www.aagmedicalwriting.co.uk or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

An intensive, practical course

24-26 September 2008, Prague Marriott Hotel

This well-known and successful course combines lectures with practical exercises to provide a thorough introduction to the basics of medical writing that goes beyond the usual ‘overview’ courses. It will provide in-depth training in general writing and data presentation skills, and specifically in the kind of documents most frequently encountered in clinical research.

Participants will learn both the theoretical and practical aspects of writing for regulatory authorities as well as the sensible use of international guidelines, standards and useful writing tips. Many illustrative examples will be used, drawn from the seminar leaders’ wide experience of the pharmaceutical industry.

Course reference A9-3008. For further details please see http://www.management-forum.co.uk/ or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

MEDICAL EDITORS AND TRANSLATORS - METM 2008

Communication Support Across the Disciplines

11-13 September 2008 in Split, Croatia

Through panel discussions, presentations, plenary sessions and workshops, METM 08 promotes knowledge-building and networking among editors, translators and other English language supporters who work in the Mediterranean area. In 2008, panels and symposia are planned on:

• the logistics of bilingual/multilingual in contrast with lingua franca (English) publishing processes 
• the logistics of English copyediting for journals receiving many manuscripts from non-Anglophone research settings 
• translation quality assurance protocols

Presentation categories encompass research, promising practices and knowledge updates. We also encourage attractive “promising practices” posters, which have a longer shelf-life than new research posters. We are considering proposals that will add practical and theoretical range to the preliminary program. Proposals (due 15 April 2008) are welcome on topics relevant to:

• the nature of written or spoken texts in professional disciplines that communicate knowledge internationally through English 
• the processes through which texts are written, prepared for delivery, or prepared for publication in English
• any of our association’s objectives

More information on the call for proposals for METM 08, and the preliminary program, at http://www.metmeetings.org/?section=metm08_call

EFFECTIVE PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR MEDICAL WRITERS

13 November 2008, The Radisson SAS Hotel, Nice

Despite the popular conception of writers working in splendid isolation, medical writing is largely a team activity. However, since medical writers are at the end of the process and the producers of the endproduct, they also need to practice project management if they are to be effective. The challenge lies in managing a project while also having another role within the team, as medical writers are still writers first and project managers second, and all the while having very little authority to “encourage” team members to cooperate.

This course will investigate the basic principles of successful project management, in particular as they pertain to medical writing, as well as the team skills necessary to make them work on projects in the real world. This is a highly interactive course designed around audience participation in a number of team exercises. It is appropriate for medical writers of any level or for those who work closely with medical writers.

Course reference A11-3008. For further details please see www.management-forum.co.uk or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

EDITING SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL TEXTS

14 November 2008, The Radisson SAS Hotel, Nice

This is a hands-on course where audience participation is very much expected. It is intended for those working with medical and scientific texts who have to edit and use texts from non-native and native speakers of English. The focus of the course is not on English grammar, but on conveying a clear and simple message to the reader by the use of concise and consistent language suited to different target audiences.

Brief introductions to the principles and practice of editing will be given in interactive sessions before lunch. Participants will be provided with short texts at least one week before the course and are expected to familiarize themselves with the texts, which will form the basis for the afternoon group exercises on this course. This will be followed by a plenary feedback session, and a discussion on giving feedback to authors and meeting author expectations. The number of participants is restricted to 16 to ensure that group work on the texts provided is effective.

Course reference A11-3108. For further details please see www.management-forum.co.uk or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

MEDICAL EDITORS SHORT COURSE

9-21 November in Oxford, UK

A short course for Editors-in-Chief, Editorial Board members and managing Editors. Editors are expected to not only accredit good content, but to take an active role in managing, developing and promoting their publication in both print and online. To be successful takes not only excellent academic knowledge and judgement, but also understanding of how to maximise the potential of a journal.

This  course is designed to allow editors the space to meet peers and discuss successful techniques for developing their journal – meeting the needs of authors, readers, their publishers and the public (industry, professions, research, etc.). At the end of the two days, editors will have an action plan for their journal to help them manage their workflows, develop the journal strengths and minimise its weaknesses.

The course in 2008 takes place 19-21 November, in Oxford, UK. For more information on the course, see the website
http://www.pspconsulting.org/medical-short.shtml, or email Pippa Smart, PSP Consulting, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it