I get it. Writing about medicine sounds serious. It is. But here’s the twist—your audience? They’re not sitting in a lab coat with a stethoscope in hand.
They’re busy. They’re overwhelmed. And they just want someone to explain things clearly.
The good news? That’s exactly what this guide is for.
Let’s go over the 7 mistakes you need to dodge if you want your medical content to actually connect—and convert.
1. Too Much Jargon. Not Enough Clarity.
You’re writing about health. Not auditioning for Grey’s Anatomy.
Here’s what most writers do:
“Hyponatremia due to SIADH, secondary to paraneoplastic syndrome.”
Translation? No clue.
Here’s what a patient-friendly version looks like:
“Low blood sodium caused by a hormone imbalance related to certain tumors.”
See the difference? One makes you think. The other makes sense.
The fix?
- Write like you’re explaining it to a curious high schooler
- Avoid acronyms unless absolutely necessary
Define tricky terms in plain English
2. No Credible Sources. No Trust.
Let’s be blunt: Medical content without sources is just… opinion.
And guess what? Readers can smell it from a mile away.
If you’re claiming turmeric cures cancer—you better link to PubMed.
(And spoiler alert: it doesn’t.)
Quick tip: Always back up claims with real, reliable sources.
Good examples:
- PubMed
- Mayo Clinic
- WHO
- Harvard Health
3. You’re Writing for You, Not Them.
I see this all the time.
Writers start with: “What do I want to say?”
When they should be asking: “What does my reader need right now?”
Big difference.
Let’s say you’re explaining insulin pumps.
To a nurse? Talk about accuracy, maintenance, and dosage.
To a parent? Focus on ease of use, safety, and peace of mind.
The golden rule?
- Know your audience
- Write to one person, not a crowd
- Keep it relevant, always
Also Read: Why Every Doctor Should Consider Writing an eBook in 2025
4. It’s a Wall of Text
Nobody reads paragraphs that look like bricks.
Even you don’t.
You’ve got maybe 5 seconds to grab attention. Use it wisely.
Break it up.
Use bullet points.
Make it easy to scan.
Here’s how:
- Write short sentences
- Add white space
- Use subheadings often
- Cut the fluff
5. You Forgot to Optimize for SEO
Not optimizing for search = writing in the dark.
Use smart keywords. Like:
- medical writing tips
- how to write medical content
- healthcare content writing guide
Don’t overstuff. Just sprinkle them in naturally. Like seasoning.
(Too much ruins the dish.)
6. Your Tone is Cold. Robotic. Clinical.
Your reader isn’t a robot. Don’t sound like one.
Cold:
“The subject experienced adverse gastrointestinal effects.”
Warm:
“She felt nauseous after the treatment.”
Still accurate. Just human.
Your tone should feel like a conversation. Not a lecture.
Also Read: The Step-by-Step Guide to Publish Your Medical Case Study
7. You Skipped the Final Check
One typo? People forgive it.
A dosage error? Could be dangerous.
This isn’t a food blog. It’s healthcare. Precision matters.
Always, always:
- Double-check facts
- Read it out loud
- Use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway
Or better yet—ask someone else to review it.
Let Me Be Real With You
I’ve written for doctors, startups, and healthcare brands.
Every time I kept it simple and wrote for the reader, engagement went up.
Every time I got too technical or forgot the human on the other side? It tanked.
You’re not just writing about health.
You’re writing to improve it.
