Knowing what needs a reference in medical writing can be tricky, especially for new writers who are still learning when to cite sources and when general knowledge is enough. Should you reference common knowledge or just the statements that make strong claims?
Determining what information needs a citation can depend on multiple factors, including the topic, audience, purpose and level of risk associated with the content.
In this post, I’ll share some tips to help you confidently decide what to reference and when you can rely on general knowledge.
These tips are drawn from my personal experience and the work I’ve done with clients over the years.
While there are no official rules regarding consumer referencing, it’s essential to rely on common sense, your medical writing experience, a sense of responsibility and careful consideration of your editorial decisions.
1. General knowledge vs medical claims that need a reference
First, let’s clarify the difference:
- General knowledge: This includes widely accepted information that doesn’t need supporting references because it’s commonly understood and uncontested. For example, “Exercise is beneficial for cardiovascular health” is a general statement most readers accept without question. That’s not to say that some clients would not want that claim referenced, though. I have worked for clients who require every single sentence to have a reference!
- Claims that need a reference: Any statement that makes a specific claim, especially if it’s new, contentious, or complex, most likely needs a reference to back it up. This also helps demonstrate credibility and supports the writer’s assertions, making it easier for readers to trust the content.
2. Consider the harm factor
A helpful rule of thumb for deciding when to include references in medical writing is to consider whether the information could lead to harm if inaccurate or taken out of context.
Missteps in health information can carry serious risks, so it’s essential to back up statements related to treatment recommendations, medication guidelines or health conditions with reputable sources.
If there’s any doubt, it’s safer to reference than to omit.
Examples of content needing a reference include:
- Health statistics (eg, prevalence of diabetes)
- Recommendations for medication or dosages
- Statements about new or less well-known treatment options
- Claims related to risks, benefits or side effects of certain health practices
3. Use your judgment based on the context
Different types of medical content may have varying requirements for citations. Content for professionals may need more precise sources than patient education materials, where general knowledge may suffice.
Other considerations include:
- Client requirements: Some clients have specific referencing standards. If in doubt, follow their guidelines.
- Content purpose: Informational pieces usually require more references, whereas promotional content may rely on broader statements.
- Audience expectations: Readers who are health professionals may expect more rigorous sourcing, while general readers may not require as many in-depth citations.
4. Prompting AI? Ask for references and verify them
If you’re using AI tools like ChatGPT to help with research or draft content, be especially cautious about references. AI can be helpful in identifying general concepts or summarising existing knowledge, but it often presents outdated information as current. Many AI-generated citations can be incomplete or even made up.
To use AI responsibly in your writing:
- Always ask for references explicitly when prompting, but treat the results as leads, not verified citations.
- Cross-check every source using reputable sources like PubMed or government and professional health organisation websites.
If the AI gives you a study title or DOI, verify it exists before using it in your writing. For safety or clinical content, never rely solely on AI-generated outputs; go directly to the source.
Using AI can speed up your process, but it doesn’t replace your editorial judgment. Use AI as a writing or research assistant, not a final authority. Treat any claims it produces with the same scrutiny you would apply to your own writing. If a statement sounds unfamiliar, verify it with a trusted source before including it in your content.
Referencing is not just about avoiding errors, it’s about maintaining trust – especially when AI is involved.
5. Benefits of referencing while you write
Incorporating references while drafting helps ensure the accuracy of your claims and can keep your research on track.
It also reduces the chance of errors from adding sources later on. Statistics and facts, in particular, are essential to verify, as they’re subject to change over time.
Citing recent data prevents outdated information from slipping in and establishes your content’s reliability.
6. Medical experience helps, but don’t assume
As you gain experience, you’ll start to build a sense of when a claim needs a citation versus when it can stand on its own.
However, even experienced health professionals should avoid relying solely on personal knowledge.
Just because you’re familiar with certain concepts doesn’t mean they don’t require a source.
Also, evidence and statistics change all the time. What you learned in medical school may have changed since.
If you’re ever in doubt, a reference can add credibility and transparency to your work.
At the end of the day, it’s better to over-reference than to under-reference, especially in medical writing, where accuracy and trust are essential.
Examples of when to include references in medical writing
Statistics or data
- Example: “About 10% of adults in the U.S. have diabetes.”
- Why it needs a reference: Statistics can change frequently, and it’s important to provide a reliable source to show that the data is up-to-date and credible. This reassures readers that the statement is accurate and verified by a reputable source.
Medical claims or benefits of treatments
- Example: “Studies have shown that a Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 30%.”
Why it needs a reference: This is a specific claim about a treatment’s impact on health, which should be backed by research. Without a reference, readers may question the validity of the statement.
Comparative statements
- Example: “Laser therapy is more effective than topical treatments for moderate psoriasis.”
- Why it needs a reference: A statement comparing two treatments implies there is data supporting the claim. Providing a source here would add credibility, especially if readers are considering treatment options.
New research or less common knowledge
- Example: “Recent studies suggest that gut microbiome diversity may influence mental health outcomes.”
- Why it needs a reference: Since this is a newer area of research that may not be widely accepted or known, a reference would give readers the opportunity to see the research behind it.
Side effects or risks
- Example: “Using high doses of NSAIDs for long periods can increase the risk of heart attack.”
- Why it needs a reference: Any information about risks or side effects should be supported by evidence to ensure readers know it’s not an unfounded claim, particularly because it concerns their safety.
Examples of content that doesn’t usually need a reference
General medical knowledge
- Example: “Regular exercise is beneficial for cardiovascular health.”
- Why it doesn’t need a reference: This is widely accepted and non-contentious information. Most readers would consider this common knowledge and wouldn’t expect a source.
Basic definitions or explanations
- Example: “Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is when the force of blood against artery walls is consistently too high.”
- Why it doesn’t need a reference: Basic definitions of common medical terms are generally understood and don’t require citation unless the client specifies otherwise.
Well-known medical facts
- Example: “Smoking is a leading cause of lung cancer.”
Why it doesn’t need a reference: This statement is based on established medical knowledge widely accepted by health professionals and the public. It is common knowledge that smoking significantly increases the risk of lung cancer, and thus, specific citations are generally unnecessary. However, if you were to state that “20% of all smokers develop lung cancer,” that would require a reference to substantiate the specific statistic.
Lifestyle recommendations that are universally accepted
- Example: “Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can support overall health.”
- Why it doesn’t need a reference: This is general wellness advice commonly accepted by both the medical community and the public. While specific claims about certain foods or their impacts on specific conditions would require references, a broad statement like this does not.
Basic descriptions of body functions
- Example: “The heart pumps blood throughout the body, supplying oxygen and nutrients to tissues.”
- Why it doesn’t need a reference: Basic anatomical functions are standard knowledge and don’t require sourcing unless there’s something unique or specific about the function being described.
The final word
In general, if the information is specific, contentious, related to safety or based on newer research, it’s best to include a reference.
Broad, widely understood health concepts, definitions, and general knowledge typically do not need a reference unless the client requests it.
Still, this is subjective and where your medical writing skills and experience come in handy. As you develop more hands-on medical writing experience, you’ll get better at judging which statements to reference.
Balancing these factors and knowing your audience will help guide your decisions on referencing.
Adding a citation shows respect for your audience, assures them of your content’s validity, and aligns your work with professional standards.
By building a careful, consistent approach to referencing, you’ll establish yourself as a credible and trustworthy medical writer, helping to safeguard the accuracy and impact of the information you share.
