Position Statements

AMWA Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

AMWA is committed to creating and maintaining a culture that embraces a diverse community of individuals who value excellence in medical writing, editing, and communication. We believe that AMWA functions more effectively with diversity of thought and inclusion of varied perspectives in the shared pursuit of our mission.  We strive to
  
• Demonstrate the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
• Encourage the interest, participation, and leadership of underrepresented groups within our organization. 
• Cultivate an inclusive, diverse, and accessible community of medical communicators. 

Read more about the DEI Statement in the AMWA Journal.

AMWA-EMWA-ISMPP Joint Position Statement on Medical Publications, Preprints, and Peer Review 

The public could lose trust in science if scientific and medical researchers choose to bypass the traditional high standards of peer-reviewed medical journals in the rush to get research data released, particularly during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The statement recognizes the benefit of rapid publication, but alerts against the potential harms associated with an accelerated process. Recommendations are provided for key stakeholders, including a Reviewers’ Checklist to provide a minimum standard of pre-publication vetting to enhance preprint publication processes.

Read the full joint position statement (originally published in Current Medical Research and Opinion).

Read the press release.

Download the Reviewers' Checklist.

AMWA thanks our generous volunteers for translating the statement into Chinese and our partners at EMWA and ISMPP for translating the joint position statement into multiple languages.

AMWA Position Statement on Legislation That Negatively Affects the Livelihood of Freelance Medical Communicators

A movement among state legislatures to redefine the role of the independent contractor could disrupt how freelance medical writers and editors do business in the future. AMWA fully supports its members who choose to be self-employed and urges legislators to ensure that resulting laws allow for those who are legitimate independent contractors to continue to practice as freelance professionals.

Read the full statement on legislation that negatively affects the livelihood of freelance medical communicators.

Review background information on relevant state legislation.

Review background information on the PRO Act 2021.

Read the press release on relevant state legislation.

Read the press release on the PRO Act 2021.

AMWA-EMWA-ISMPP Joint Position Statement on Predatory Publishing

Predatory journals pose a serious threat both to researchers publishing the results of their work and to the peer-reviewed medical literature itself. AMWA, EMWA and ISMPP are committed to educating our members about predatory publishing and the responsibilities of medical writers and publication professionals in addressing this significant issue.

Read the full joint position statement (originally published in Current Medical Research and Opinion).

Read the press release.

AMWA thanks our partners at EMWA for translating this joint position statement into multiple languages and ISMPP for translations in Chinese and Japanese.

AMWA-EMWA-ISMPP Joint Position Statement on the Role of Professional Medical Writers

Professional medical writing support helps authors and sponsors to disclose their research in peer-review journals and scientific congresses in an ethical, accurate, and timely manner, with the ultimate aim of advancing patient care.

Read the full joint position statement.

Read the press release.

AMWA thanks our partners at EMWA for translating the joint position statement into multiple languages and ISMPP for translations in Japanese and Chinese.

AMWA Position Statement on the Contribution of Medical Writers to Scientific Publications

The American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) recognizes the valuable contributions of medical communicators to the publication team. Medical communicators who contribute substantially to the writing or editing of a manuscript should be acknowledged with their permission and with disclosure of any pertinent professional or financial relationships. In all aspects of the publication process, medical communicators should adhere to the AMWA Code of Ethics.

AMWA Position Statement on Racial Injustice

We condemn all acts of racism and hatred, as they have no place in our profession or our society. Equality and access to justice are fundamental human rights that everyone deserves. Health and well-being for all cannot exist alongside endemic racial health inequities. To fulfill AMWA’s vision, members must communicate vital health information—medical, scientific, and ethical—in support of the health and well-being of those we ultimately serve.

Read the full statement.

Statement from AMWA on Censorship and the CDC

AMWA supports evidence- and science-based medicine; the use of clear language to accurately communicate science and medicine to all stakeholders—consumers, health care professionals, regulators, and government officials alike; and the use of objectivity and diligent research in pursuit of accurate and unbiased reporting.

Read the full statement.

Guidelines

Guidelines for Document Designers
Guidelines for Document Designers is a short, practical, evidence-based handbook for writers and editors who develop functional communications.

Access the Guidelines now.

CORE Reference
Clarity and Openness in Reporting: E3-based (CORE) Reference

The CORE Reference is an open-access resource to support medical writers in the authoring of clinical study reports for interventional studies.

Learn more at www.core-reference.org.