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An Investigation of a Career in Medical Writing: Portfolio Western Michigan University ScholarWorks at WMU Honors Theses Lee Honors College 4-20-2000 An Investigation of a Career in Medical Writing: Portfolio Heather O'Neill Western Michigan University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses Part of the Medicine and Health Sciences Commons Recommended Citation O'Neill, Heather, "An Investigation of a Career in Medical Writing: Portfolio" (2000). Honors Theses. 2174. https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/2174 This Honors Thesis-Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Lee Honors College at ScholarWorks at WMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at WMU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE CARL AND WINIFRED LEE HONORS COLLEGE CERTIFICATE OF ORAL EXAMINATION Heather O'Neill, having been admitted to the Carl and Winifred Lee Honors College in 1996 successfully presented the Lee Honors College Thesis on April 20, 2000. The title ofthe paper is: "An Investigation ofa Career in Medical Writing" ''-•, xl^^L^O^ Ms. Sarah Staples" <^^2^i^t^t ££ec v7 Dr. Leonard Beuving, Biological Sciences Dr. John Martell, Lee Honors College An Investigation ofa Career in Medical Writing Portfolio By Heather O'Neill Medical Writing Internship This thesis project was designed so that I could gain a better understanding ofa career in medical writing. For six months I worked with a freelance medical writer, Sarah Staples, MA, ELS. I was given a variety ofprojects to work on, so that I could better understand the versatility required ofa medical writer. My projects included writing abstracts, proofreading, editing, formatting and documenting sources. This portfolio contains the projects that I worked on, many written for a professional audience (physicians, pharmacists, veterinarians). I have also included helpful resources, such as proofreading marks and a guideline for writing abstracts. Presentations from an American Medical Writers Association conference that I attended conclude this binder. I chose this internship because I enjoy writing and the life sciences, so I wanted to find a career in which I could use both. Sarah Staples introduced me to the field ofmedical writing. Although the type ofwriting I did is not typical for someone working in a large company, I was able to gain a general understanding offreelance medical writing and most ofthese projects were done for large companies. The projects in this binder are separated by tabs and introduced by a summarypage that describes the assignment and audience, required skills, client, format, and style manual used. The topmost documents are my final copies. When the project consisted ofwriting an abstract, the original document from which I worked appears at the end ofthe section. I gained practical knowledge ofmedical writing during this internship. My writing skills improved tremendously, and I have become a better editor and proofreader. I also decided that medical writing is a career I wish to pursue. Table of Contents Section I Sales Detailer: A one-page summary ofInvesting in Workplace Productivity, a report providing information on depression and workplace productivity, shared with primary care physicians, employers and managed care organizations in advance oflaunching a new antidepressant. Writing a sales detailer Section II Enteric Diseases ofSwine. A technical training manual for educating veterinarians and pork producers regarding etiology, diagnosis, treatment and management ofcommon enteric diseases ofswine. Editing and Formatting Section m OrthoEdge: An internal newsletter focusing on competitive, product, and company information for sales reps ofZimmer, an orthopedic company. Editing and Proofreading Section IV Abstract for Perspectives in Research: A newsletter, published for staffand referring physicians affiliated with Borgess Health Alliance, that shares current research and clinical information. Writing an Abstract Section V Reboxetine Mesylate ASHSP Form: Database information on a new drug provided to the American Society ofHealth Systems Pharmacists (ASHSP) for dissemination to their members. Creating an ASHSP form Section VI Abstract for the 16th IPVS Conference in Australia: An abstract that summarizes original research submitted for an oral presentation or scientificposter at the annual IPVS meeting attended by veterinarians and pork producers. Writing an abstract Section VH Helpful Resources: Useful references that I used frequently during my internship. Section VHI Notes from an American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) Conference: I attended this conference as part ofmy internship in order to make contacts and learn more about medical writing through the seminars I attended. Senior Thesis Project Assignment: Writecopy for a sales detailer based on summarizing and condensing Investing in Workplace Productivity. Purpose: To provide helpful information on depression and productivity to our target audience in advance of launching a new antidepressant. Begin developing a relationships with people who influence buying decisions. Audience: Primary care physicians, employers (payers), and managed care organizations. Message: The key to successful management of mental health costs is to identify illnesses early, refer for appropriate care, and treat on a timely basis. Skills: Comprehending and summarizing primary material. Understanding regulatory constraints on products currently awaiting regulatory approval. Writing detail copy. Conforming to AMA Style Manual'specifications. Client: Pharmacia & Upjohn Format: 1P, 2-sided Style Manual: AMA STAPLES. ETC 1305 E. Crosstown, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 616/342-6016 • [email protected] PROJECT Workplace Dealer (:workdet) DATE 9-30-99 JOB NUMBER P&U 9-1092-99 <Front> <Headline> The identification and early treatment ofdepression can help reduce both direct and indirect health care costs. <Subhead> Depression is Unknowingly Costly to Employers <Copy> According to a study performed by the Washington Business Group on Health (WBGH) and the National Institute ofMental Health (NIMH), depression has been found to be one ofthe top reasonsthatpeoplemiss work. Ifit is not identified and treated properly, it becomes expensive for the employer indirectly. <Graphic: pie chart Annual health Care Expenses for Health care in the U.S. using statistics from page 9> 17% Premature mortality costs 28% Direct health care costs 55% Indirect health care costs (i.e. excessive absences and reduced productivity) <Copy> Many physical illnesses are caused by or related to depression. Almost one-tenth ofthe U.S. population suffers from clinical depression each year, costing the nation billions ofdollars each year. Fatigue, memory lapses, and poor concentration often accompany depression, lead to errors and injuries. This can cause to a reduction in workplace productivity by 20%. <Subhead> Depression can be Treated Effectively and Efficiently <Copy> Investing in employees' mental healthhas cost employers an increase of less than 1% in annual health care costs. Attendance and production of employeesincreased when mental health care was provided. <Back> When considering treating mental illness and how to incorporate it into total health care, there are some important things to consider. • Depression is a medical illness, not a weakness ofcharacter • Providing treatment for mental illnesses will not increase costs, it will decrease them. • Combininghealth and human resource programs will help achievewhat is best for a company as a whole. • Incorporating mental health care with primary health care can aid in identifying mental illnesses early. • Depression can be the basis ofa physical illness. • Spending a few thousand dollars on wellness programs can reduce future costs ofmillions. • ufao Preface any human resource and benefits executives are The Worksite Program's initial focus was on the prob' faced with critical "people" issues in today's lem of depression in the workplace. With input from .competitive business environment. We are in senior executives of major companies regarding their the midst of dramatic change in the way large businesses own innovative program approaches to dealing with and the people within them are organized, managed, and depression, the Worksite Program conceptualized an led. Increasingly, employers are being asked to demon integrated multifaceted human resources approach to strate the value o{ their benefit programs and health and improving the management of this common and costly human resource management strategies to workforce disorder. Major elements include management and productivity and company performance. employee education, expanded Employee Assistance Program functions and services, redesign of benefits, In leading corporations, workforce diversity is valued, improved data collection and management, integration as are customer service, teaming, and risk-taking. of health-related programs, and health plan performance Work/life programs, health and mental health benefits, monitoring. and other human resource supports are provided to enhance employee health, performance, and satisfaction. This approach has been widely disseminated through And compensation incentives are used to motivate a WBGH and NIMH Worksite activities, with the result shift in employee behavior and performance to that of a that a number of major employers have introduced some stakeholder. or all of the elements into their worksite policies and practices.
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