Ready to start your health writing career change?
Gain the skills and resources you need to start your health writing journey. Breaking Into Health Writing is your launchpad to a successful health & medical writing career. It’s time to stop wondering and start doing. Through this course, you will:
- Explore diverse career paths in health & medical writing
- Discover in-demand niches within the industry
- Understand the types of writing you’ll do as a professional health & medical writer
- Gain a comprehensive overview of the field
- Develop a solid plan to confidently enter the world of health & medical writing
By the end of this course, you’ll have actionable knowledge to launch your health & medical writing career, along with exclusive resources like templates, planners and access to a supportive global community of fellow health writers!
Hello! I’m Michelle Guillemard, founder of Health Writer Hub.
I’m an experienced medical writer with nearly two decades of industry expertise. My CPD-certified medical writing courses are designed for both newcomers and experienced writers, offering the tools and support needed to create clear, ethical health content.
Since 2013, I’ve helped thousands of writers from over 50 countries sharpen their skills and grow their careers in medical writing. In an age of AI, I also guide writers on using new technologies responsibly while upholding high standards of quality and credibility.
Who is this course for?
Breaking Into Health Writing is an online course for aspiring medical writers who want to explore career options and break into the industry. Whether you’re looking for freelance opportunities or a full-time role, this course will guide you through the steps to get started and land your first clients or job!
- New writers exploring a career in medical writing
- Health professionals and physicians who want a career change
- Health industry professionals who are looking into freelance writing
- Academic writers searching for new opportunities
- Communications professionals keen to specialise in health & medical writing
10 out of 10!
“I needed a course to learn more about breaking into the field and the more practical aspects of it all. The Breaking Into Health Writing material was extremely worthwhile, and honestly, all of the resources were useful! It was a good balance of different types of materials and resources. I have no suggestions for improvement; the course was wonderful! The online learning platform was very user-friendly and easy to read and navigate. I liked being able to do things at my own pace, so I could explore more on a topic as I wanted. I would highly recommend this course to a friend and give it 10 out of 10!”
Pamela Popovich, USA
Here’s what you’ll learn
Get answers to the most common questions about starting a career in medical writing. Breaking Into Health Writing teaches you everything you need to know to plan your career transition.
- Familiarise yourself with typical medical writing projects and employers
- Explore both freelance and employed job opportunities
- Learn the essential skills to excel in the field
- Understand the relevant qualifications medical writers need
- Learn how to build a professional network
- Understand the importance of health communication best practices
- Navigate the considerations of freelance writing
- Gain insights into employee roles and options
- Discover typical rates and salaries in medical writing
- Plan for long-term career growth
Launch your health writing career with confidence
The Breaking Into Health Writing course gives you everything you need to get started – no experience or portfolio required. You’ll get immediate access to all course materials, exclusive bonus content and one-on-one support to help you grow your career.
What to expect
Here’s how it works.
Flexible learning
- Learn at your own pace
Work through the lessons at a schedule that suits you – no rush! - Access from anywhere
Join from anywhere in the world, whether at home or on the go. - Lifetime access
Enjoy unlimited access, so you can revisit lessons whenever you need a refresher.
Personalised feedback and guidance
- Direct support
Email your teacher whenever you have questions for quick assistance. - Build your confidence
Launch your health & medical writing career with confidence, equipped with the knowledge and skills you need.
Guides you in a perfectly understandable way
“Breaking Into Health Writing helped me to clarify what is (and is not) medical writing, the skills I really need to become a good professional and how to focus on a path to start my medical writing journey. The content of every lesson guides you to the following one in a perfectly understandable way.”
Cristina Naranjo Ortiz, USA
What’s included in this course?
Industry-leading resources to help you plan your career transition with confidence.
- One-on-one private coaching call to discuss your unique goals, receive personalised feedback and get expert advice on next steps (new inclusion!)
- 12 comprehensive lessons (audio lectures and text modules) meeting the core learning objectives
- Homework questions to help you reflect and put the learnings into practice
- Feedback and advice by email whenever you have questions or need guidance
- CPD accreditation and certificate
- Bonus content only available to students including free guides, templates and planners
- Health Writer Hub Community membership so you can connect with a supportive group of health writers
- Ongoing access so you can dive back in whenever you need a refresher
- Loyalty discounts giving you 30% off every other course
- World-class eLearning platform for a seamless learning experience.
Launch your health writing career with confidence
The Breaking Into Health Writing course gives you everything you need to get started – no experience or portfolio required. You’ll get immediate access to all course materials, exclusive bonus content and one-on-one support to help you grow your career.
Course outline
12 lessons full of best-practice advice that will empower you to start your career in health & medical writing.
Part 1: Career essentials
- What do health & medical writers do?
Explore the scope of health & medical writing (hint: it’s huge and growing every year!). - Who do health & medical writers work for?
Discover the businesses, companies and clients who hire health & medical writers. - Skills and qualifications.
Learn options for enhancing your skills and completing further training.
Part 2: Industry knowledge
- How to write clear content.
Get writing tips and advice to help you produce high-quality health & medical content. - Staying up-to-date with the industry.
Learn about regulations, laws, controversies and industry news. - How to get health writing experience.
Discover how to create and enhance your health & medical writing portfolio.
Part 3: Finding paid work
- Freelance health & medical writing.
Learn what’s involved in building a freelance writing business and finding clients. - Finding employed work.
Discover where and how to find full-time and part-time health & medical writing jobs. - Making industry contacts and networking.
Learn how to start making professional, lifelong connections in the industry.
Part 4: Career guidance
- Transitioning to a career in medical writing.
Develop a plan for transitioning to the field with confidence. - Rates and making money.
Learn about the best-paying health & medical writing markets. - Building and defining your health & medical writing career.
Plan your next steps, including how to focus on the health topics you love.
Part 5: Medical writing, artificial intelligence and your future
- Grasp what AI means for your career as a medical writer.
Start thinking about how you can use AI writing tools to grow your career and stay relevant.
Bonus inclusions!
Enhance your learning experience with these included bonuses.
- The Health Writing Template Package – save time and write better content faster with 30+ new health writing templates
- The Freelance Health Writer Business Planner – map out your freelance career transition confidently with our detailed planner
- The 110 Websites That Accept Health Article Pitches Guide – a comprehensive list of websites that accept article pitches and guest posts from health writers
I’ve learned so much from this course!
“Michelle’s course on Breaking into Health Writing is the ideal beginner course for any budding freelance writer. I’ve learned so much from this course!”
Rachel Chandra, USA
Join a supportive community of health writers
When you join How to Write Patient Education Materials, you’ll also join the Health Writer Hub Community – a welcoming, global network of passionate health writers. As a member, you’ll enjoy:
- Loyalty discounts – receive 30% off any other Health Writer Hub course
- Global networking – connect with health writers from around the world
- A supportive environment – ask questions, share advice and grow your skills
- Immediate access – start connecting with fellow students as soon as you sign up.
Launch your health writing career with confidence
The Breaking Into Health Writing course gives you everything you need to get started – no experience or portfolio required. You’ll get immediate access to all course materials, exclusive bonus content and one-on-one support to help you grow your career.
I now have actionable steps to take to begin!
“I am a physical therapist looking to bring my passion and expertise to the wider world through health writing. I didn’t know where to start – and the task of starting seemed insurmountable! Despite the work ahead, I now have actionable steps to take to begin that process, thanks to Breaking Into Health Writing. Thank you, Michelle!”
Caitlin Steeves, USA
Your industry expert
Who I am, and why I want to help you succeed.
Hi again – I’m Michelle Guillemard, founder of Health Writer Hub (you can read more about me here).
When I launched Health Writer Hub in 2014, my aim was to create a best-practice resource to empower health writers to develop their skills, grow their careers and improve the quality of health content on the web.
In Breaking Into Health Writing, I answer the most common questions I get asked about starting a career in medical writing. I created this course to give aspiring health writers a comprehensive guide to the health & medical writing industry.
If you’re ready to explore a career in medical writing and develop a plan to transition to the field with confidence, Breaking Into Health Writing is for you.
My teaching method
I teach this course, and all my courses, through a combination of audio lectures (podcast style) and text resources.
After experimenting with different combinations over the years and listening to student feedback, I am confident that delivering lectures in both audio AND text format is the most effective way for you to learn about health writing.
Consume the content however you like:
- Listen and read the transcripts at the same time
- Listen and take your own notes
- Listen away from your computer
- Read the transcripts only.
Many students have told me they enjoy listening to the lectures while driving, walking, hiking, running or cleaning the house! You’re free to do whatever works best for you.
Certified and accredited
Accredited for quality and standards.
Breaking Into Health Writing, like all Health Writer Hub courses, is an accredited Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program recognised by the CPD Certification Service, a leading global accreditation body. Our accredited medical writing courses meet international CPD standards, adhering to global guidelines and aligning with the policies of professional and academic institutions.
Student feedback
Read student reviews.
Extremely useful
“The Breaking into Health Writing course was extremely useful, being both interactive and very clear. Though I had already been writing for a while, I found the templates and also the information about where to apply for more work very useful. It gave me the tools and confidence to develop my work. Michelle was approachable and helpful with any enquiries and requests, responding promptly.”
Sarah Isaacs, Australia
Outstanding
“Breaking Into Health Writing was an outstanding overview and refresher course for me to re-enter the world of medical writing. As a clinician, I have bounced around the writing field and although it is a passion, I had put it aside to be more the doctor than the published writer. And as technology and what writing is these days has changed drastically, this has given me the starting point to jump back in. Thank you!!”
Dr. Tammy Bohné, USA
Crisp, clear, and immensely valuable, making the content easy to understand and integrate
“Breaking Into Health Writing provided an excellent overview of what a career in this field can look like. The blend of audio lectures and reading materials offered in-depth insights into each topic. I’m a big fan of Michelle’s writing style—crisp, clear, and immensely valuable, making the content easy to understand and integrate.”
Miriam Nicholls, Australia
Fulfilled all my expectations
“I was looking for an entry-level medical writing course and Breaking Into Health Writing fulfilled all my expectations. I found it while searching for information about medical writing on Google. Health Writer Hub seemed to provide answers for most of the questions I had, so I decided to give it a try. The course was information-dense and very well structured. I have learned a lot and it had helped me to gain a solid basic understanding of the wide job opportunities for health writers. I appreciated that it also provided information related to ESL writers and aspiring writers who are transiting from other fields like pharmacy or medicine. Moreover, I loved the holistic approach that takes into account everything from mindset and lifestyle to indemnity insurance.”
Dora Blazeka, MD, Austria
The results were beyond rewarding
“Enrolling in the Health Writer Hub courses ( Breaking Into Health Writing, Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting, Introduction to Health Writing, How to Write Patient Education Materials) has been a transformative experience for my writing. It sharpened my focus on delivering valuable health information to readers. These courses have been an invaluable source of knowledge, equipping me with practical skills and actual documents to enhance my portfolio. Engaging and enjoyable, the course materials present information in a captivating format. They offer a wealth of insights and hands-on exercises, ensuring a challenging yet flexible learning experience. I conquered each task through diligent effort at my own pace, and the results were beyond rewarding. These courses have truly elevated my health writing skills to new heights.”
Paul Penman, UK
Packed with high-quality, actionable content
“The course was packed with high quality, actionable content. It was not only engaging and insightful, it was also concisely written into easy-to-digest chunks. A large amount of additional reading material provided further interest and depth to the course. Each lesson linked well with the next lesson and the course flowed seamlessly. The presentation of the information was clearly formatted ensuring an easy-to-read lesson. Your friendly and conversational writing style are a breath of, fresh air and I found myself looking forward to the next installment. You have well-and-truly over-delivered with your “Breaking Into Health Writing” course!”
Joanne Thambyah, Australia
Invaluable
“As a freelance copywriter looking to find a niche to specialise in, I found this course invaluable.”
Louise Davies, UK
Launch your health writing career with confidence
The Breaking Into Health Writing course gives you everything you need to get started – no experience or portfolio required. You’ll get immediate access to all course materials, exclusive bonus content and one-on-one support to help you grow your career.
Really helped me with where to go next
“I have worked in clinical practice for over 15 years and am now at a stage I want to leave and start a career in medical writing but really had no idea where to start nor what my options could be. Michelle’s Breaking into Health Writing has has really helped me with where to go next. Not only has it made my potential options clearer to me, but it has signposted me to so many resources which can help me progress onto my new career.”
Dr Mark Chester, UK
Excellent course!
“I truly enjoyed Breaking Into Health Writing. I was consuming a lot of content on the web regarding freelance writing, copywriting, and health writing. This course and homework questions at the end of each module provided the guidance and organization that I needed to start taking action. Excellent course!”
Paola Gonzalez, Canada
Incredibly informative and comprehensive
“I just completed the Breaking into Health Writing course, and found it incredibly informative and comprehensive. It has given me a real insight into the skills and processes required to become a health writer, particularly in our digital age. As someone with a health care background, but with no formal training in writing, I’m so glad I took this first step. I now have a clearer idea of areas where I need to upskill, and the next steps to take.”
Amba Balu, USA
Super helpful!
“Thanks so much for this super helpful course! I began Breaking Into Health Writing feeling uncertain and overwhelmed about what I should be focusing on to begin freelancing as a health writer. This course helped me set clear goals and outline a specific, manageable path to meeting those goals.”
Emmy Sterling, USA
Exceeded my expectations
“I took this course to find out more about health writing for a potential career change. As a healthcare professional exploring career options, I found that Breaking Into Health Writing was the perfect course for me. The e-learning platform was state of the art, intuitive and simple to use. The information was targeted, comprehensive and practical and the course exceeded my expectations.”
Michelle Anderson, Australia
Showed me how to prepare for a job in health writing
“Breaking Into Health Writing has shown me how to start preparing for a job in health writing. When you decide to change fields and become a writer, the enormous amount of information you can obtain from all the sources out there can overwhelm any professional. The reason I haven’t felt so overwhelmed was Michelle, who is thorough and supportive as a teacher. The course is well-structured, it breaks the topic of health writing into smaller subtopics that are easier to digest. Each topic has a recommended literature that I found the most helpful tool throughout the lessons.”
Roland Ligetvári, Hungary
Easy to follow
Overall, I really liked the Breaking Into Health Writing course. It is very well organised, helpful and easy to follow.
Sandy Adjemian, Belgium
I looked forward to each day!
“I looked forward each day to seeing what the next nugget would be! Breaking Into Health Writing has been motivational for me, and it is helping me focus on my next steps.”
Lee Nourse, Canada
Answered all my questions
“Thank you, Michelle, for putting this course together. It not only answered all my questions about health writing but has inspired me to explore this as a career opportunity when l finish my bachelor degree. I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in learning more about health writing.”
Courtney Baker, Australia
Very concise and interesting. Highly recommended!
“The thing I loved the most about Breaking Into Health Writing was the way it was organized to lead you into health writing. It was a great start for any writer trying to break it into the health or medical field, and it was very concise and interesting. Highly recommended!”
Omnia Tantawy, Egypt
The most comprehensive courses I have found online
“These (Introduction to Health Writing & Breaking Into Health Writing) were two of the most comprehensive courses I have found online. Usually trainers give very basic information in a course and do not get in touch after the course. Michelle is always ready to help and answer our queries.”
Samreen Salim, Pakistan
Michelle is the go-to expert for those starting out a writing career in the health niche
“I was fortunate enough to have Michelle as my writing mentor when I began health writing. She’s the go-to expert for those starting out a writing career in the health or medical niche, with insider tips and advice to help you start successfully. In fact, Michelle pointed me to an online resource where I managed to land one of my best-paying clients!”
Joe Leech, Diet vs Disease
Frequently asked questions
What you need to know.
Launch your health writing career with confidence
The Breaking Into Health Writing course gives you everything you need to get started – no experience or portfolio required. You’ll get immediate access to all course materials, exclusive bonus content and one-on-one support to help you grow your career.