From AI and increased competition to concerns about job security, it’s natural to feel uncertain about finding medical copywriting jobs in the age of AI and wonder if it’s even worth pursuing a career as a copywriter.
As AI tools become more sophisticated, many medical copywriters may question how they can stay competitive in a field that seems increasingly dominated by technology capable of working faster than ever.
The good news is that there are still plenty of jobs for skilled medical copywriters who know how to adapt.
Here’s how medical copywriters can still find work in this evolving landscape.
1. Standing out in an AI-driven world
One of the main concerns for medical copywriters is the increasing use of AI to generate medical content. Remember: While these tools can produce content quickly and at a low cost, AI is not perfect.
AI tools like ChatGPT lack the understanding of context, tone and empathy that only a human writer can bring.
AI may generate factual information, but it often fails to provide the nuanced, empathetic communication that is vital in medical copywriting-related fields like patient education and healthcare marketing.
What you can do:
- Emphasise your expertise: Highlight your background in medical writing, clinical knowledge and ability to communicate complex information clearly. Let potential clients know that AI can’t replace your expertise in crafting content that resonates with human readers.
- Specialise in sensitive topics: AI often struggles with sensitive healthcare issues. Position yourself as an expert in areas like mental health, patient support or ethical medical communication, where human empathy and understanding are irreplaceable.
2. Retaining the human touch in medical copywriting
As AI begins to play a larger role in the medical copywriting field, it’s crucial to remember that certain aspects of writing are inherently human.
One of the most significant of these is the ability to connect with readers on an emotional level.
Whether you’re writing a patient brochure, a health blog on a new treatment or a product description for a medical device, it’s the personal touch, emotional intelligence and creativity that makes your writing stand out.
What you can do:
- Focus on empathy: In patient education and healthcare marketing, the ability to communicate with empathy is vital. AI may provide facts, but it doesn’t know how to soften the message or convey hope in the face of illness. Show potential clients how your human touch makes the difference in content that truly supports patients.
- Infuse your voice: AI can create structured, well-written content, but it lacks the unique voice that a human writer provides. Ensure your writing feels authentic and genuine, whether it’s through your storytelling, tone or style.
3. The rise of AI-ready skills for medical copywriters
As AI continues to shape the medical copywriting landscape, there will be a growing need for writers who understand how to collaborate with AI or incorporate it into their workflow.
This doesn’t mean AI will replace writers, but rather that the writers who can effectively use AI tools will be in high demand.
These writers will know how to leverage AI to brainstorm, create first drafts, simplify medical terms, help health professionals with medical documentation and improve SEO while still adding their expertise to ensure the content is accurate, human-centred and ethically sound.
What you can do:
- Learn AI tools: Familiarise yourself with popular AI tools, like Jasper, Grammarly and Copy.ai. Learn how to evaluate these AI tools to stay ahead of the curve, and use them to improve your own productivity.
- Upskill in data-driven writing: As AI grows, the need for data-driven writing will increase. Learning how to write based on SEO data, audience analytics and AI-generated insights will make you a valuable asset to clients who want their content to rank and engage.
4. Combatting job automation fears in medical copywriting
Job displacement is a significant concern for many writers. While AI can automate certain aspects of content creation, it’s important to remember that it can’t fully replace human creativity, insight and judgment.
In the medical field, particularly, the need for writers who can interpret complex medical concepts and communicate them clearly will always be necessary.
What you can do:
- Showcase your unique value: Position yourself as a writer who can translate complex medical information into accessible content. AI may be able to process data, but it doesn’t have the ability to explain things clearly to patients, clients or the general public.
- Leverage your knowledge of health communication: As a medical copywriter, you have a unique understanding of how to communicate with different audiences, like patients, healthcare professionals or policymakers. This skill is valuable in a way that AI can’t replicate.
5. Finding opportunities in an AI world for medical copywriters
Despite these challenges, there are still plenty of opportunities for medical copywriters who are proactive and adaptable.
As AI tools continue to evolve, there will be a growing demand for writers who can provide strategic input, manage AI-generated content and create original work that meets high-quality standards. The key to staying competitive is to adapt and offer services that go beyond what AI can provide.
What you can do:
- Target niche markets: As AI is still a developing field, not all industries have fully embraced it. Seek out opportunities in healthcare niches where AI is less prevalent or where a human touch is still valued, like patient advocacy groups, mental health organisations and specialised medical fields.
- Build a personal brand: Position yourself as an expert by creating a portfolio of work that showcases your unique skills. Share your knowledge on medical writing blogs, social media and professional platforms like LinkedIn. This will not only help you stand out but also attract clients who value your expertise over automated tools.
6. Practical tips for finding medical copywriting jobs: Getting started
While the craft is evolving, the way medical copywriters find jobs is still the same as it was.
To actually find the work, remember to:
- Lay the foundations before you begin – make sure you have the skills and experience to work professionally in the field
- Have a strong SEO-optimised copywriting website – so you rank well for key terms (eg medical copywriter + your location)
- Build a professional online presence – including a strong LinkedIn page
- Connect with like-minded medical writers – join medical writing associations and attend networking events
- Actively search for jobs – search on LinkedIn, on freelance job boards and jobs websites using relevant key terms
- Cold email relevant clients – with a professional outreach letter
- Monitor your progress – adjust and adapt.
The final word on AI and medical copywriting
While the rise of AI has certainly changed the landscape of medical copywriting, it’s important to remember that AI is a tool, not a replacement.
By embracing technology, upskilling in AI tools and continuing to leverage your unique expertise, you can not only survive but thrive in the age of AI.
But to use AI effectively and launch your career in this fast-moving industry, you still need to understand the best practices of copywriting and how to find work. AI can assist with writing, but it can’t help you secure paying clients.
If you do want to learn more about those topics, my Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting can help with both. This course can help you master the fundamentals of persuasive health writing while learning how to work with AI to enhance your creativity and efficiency. Learn more about the course here.
