Volume 26 Number 2 Click here for entire Journal issue or below for individual articles
Note that the PDF for the entire Journal is bookmarked.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FEATURES
50 Pathophysiology and Clinical Spectrum of Fibromyalgia. A Brief Overview for Medical Communicators
By Madhurima Dhar, MD, MS
A summary of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management strategies for fibromyalgia, a common multidimensional pain syndrome.

56 Research Report: Medical Communication Practice and Trends in Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies
By Susan E. Hudson, BA; Thomas P. Gegeny, MS, ELS; Lawrence E. Liberti, RPh, RAC;
Hans Poulsen, MBA; Ravi Degun, PhD; Paul Verdin, PhD; Cindy W. Hamilton, PharmD, ELS
Findings from a recent survey providing unprecedented insight into the work of writers, editors, and managers in the medical communication industry

62 Pharmaceutical Medical Writing Competency Model
By David B. Clemow, PhD, and the Drug Information Association Medical Writing
Special Interest Area Community Competency Model Working Group
Core content of a competency model that describes the work functions, activities, knowledge, skills, and behaviors deemed necessary to perform successfully as a medical writer in the pharmaceutical industry.

DEPARTMENTS
71 AMWA Puzzler
By Laura Ninger, ELS
Word search puzzle offering a relaxing break—find 50 medical publishing related terms.
Online Exclusive: Solution

74 Regulatory Insights NEW
By Peggy Boe, RN, Barbara Snyder, MA, and Marijke H. Adams, PharmD, PhD
New regular feature begins with an overview of the drug research and development process.
Online Exclusive: Resources on Regulatory Writing

77 Top Ten
Ten most common reasons manuscripts are rejected.
How to Ask Effective Questions and Provide Effective Answers in a Public Forum, by Pascale Krumm, MA, MSTPC, PhD

78 Briefly Noted
By Faith Reidenbach, ELS, CMPP
Notes about new tools and resources for medical communicators, along with the latest developments in ethical and reporting guidelines, best practices, and policies of regulatory agencies.

80 Freelance Forum
The panel answers the question "Is there any benefit to referring to yourself as an "independent medical writer/editor" or "medical writing (or editing or communications) company" rather than "freelance"

82 In the Service of Good Writing
By Laurie Thomas, MA, ELS
"Parallel Structure: The Right Way to List, Compare, and Contrast"

84 Around the Career Block
By Deana G. Betterton-Lewis, MS, RAC, and Suzanne M. Lawton, RAC, CCRP
"Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS): What's the Relevance for Medical Writers?"

85 Calendar of Meetings
Dates and locations for upcoming professional meetings of interest.

89 Web Watch At Home on the Web: AMWA Web & Internet Technology News, by Faith Reidenbach, ELS
Online Exclusive: Web Wanderings, by Barbara Woldin
Reviews of Mulford Health Science Library, The Center for Teaching and Learning English Writing Lab, and The Cell an image library.

90 Social Media
"Social Media Sites to Keep on Your Radar," by Cynthia L. Kryder, MS, CCC-Sp
"It's a Small LinkedIn-World, After All," by Mali R. Schantz-Feld, MA
Blog Log: Blogs related to continuing medical education, by Debra Gordon, MS

Online Exclusive: Book Reviews
Reviews of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Inside the Outbreaks: The Elite Medical Detectives of the Epidemic Intelligence Service, and Stroke

Online Exclusive: Letters to the Editor
Letter regarding Doak LG, Doak CC. Writing for readers with a wide range of reading skills.
[AMWA J. 2010;25(4):149-154]

COLUMNS
86 Melnick on Writing
"Readership...by Impulse"

88 Dear Edie
Edie now answers questions about her life, career, philosophies, and perspectives

96 Page Break
"Internet Presence", by Jennifer King, PhD, ELS

AMWA MATTERS
92 National News
President's Message, by Melanie Fridl Ross, MSJ, ELS
Slate of Candidates for 2011-2012 Election

95 Member Musings
Member Profile: Grace Darling, by Bettijane Eisenpreis
Online Exclusive: "Medicine and Medical Communication in Cairo, Eqypt," by Phyllis Minick

ADVERTISERS
55 International Journal of Clinical Practice

71 International Society for Medical Publication Professionals

72 AMWA 71st Annual Conference

79 RPS

83 MediLingua BV

87 KnowledgePoint360

Sponsors

Instructions for Contributors