WS-01: Strategies for Persuasive Writing

6/13/2022 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Presenter: Susan Aiello, DVM, ELS

Audience: Entry to Mid-career (1-8 years)

Did you know there is an entire science behind persuasion and influence? In this session, we will explore the principles of persuasion and examine how to achieve the building blocks of credibility and logic in written materials. Participants will learn a writing framework that begins with setting a goal and ends with gaining commitment, taking into account the audience and the environment. Specific writing techniques will be shared for improving clarity, building an argument, and telling a persuasive story.

Networking Breakfast with AMWA Welcome

6/13/2022 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM

Regulations: Developing a Clinical Evaluation Strategy with an Eye to Regulatory and Quality Requirements

6/13/2022 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Presenter: Karen Bannick McQuoid, MA, FRAPS, RAC

Audience: Entry to Mid-career (1-8 years)

“We need clinical data, STAT!” In decades past, it was very common that a manufacturer needed clinical data for the US and not necessarily elsewhere. Manufacturers often conducted clinical studies in those “elsewhere” countries and then submitted to the US. In the past decade, this has changed dramatically. Clinical evidence is now needed to gain CE mark for devices in the EU and other countries. This presentation will review these changed requirements and discuss strategies to obtain the right data efficiently and to avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts in multiple geographies. After participating in this session, participants should be able to

• Identify key regulatory reasons for clinical data
• Understand basic elements of clinical evaluation
• Understand opportunities to build global evaluation strategies
  

Resources for Researching Medical Devices Using Publicly Available Databases

6/13/2022 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Presenter: Sara VanWyk, MPH, CCRP, RAC, MWC

Audience: New/Entry level (0 to 5 years)

The MEDDEV 2.7/1 Rev 4 (June 2016) and European Union (EU) Regulation 2017/745(2017) have placed a new or renewed focus on the aggregation of data about subject and similar medical devices marketed in the EU, including characteristics, suspected device-associated incidents, clinical trials, and evaluations. The MDCG 2019-9 guidance has further directed the presentation, content, and validation of the summary of safety and clinical performance (SSCP) of such implantable and Class III devices in the EU. Ms. VanWyk will address resources for researching medical devices using databases maintained by US, EU, and other health authorities. She will additionally provide a brief overview of content and anticipated release information for SSCPs. At the end of the presentation, attendees should be able to identify the relevant guidance documents for clinical evaluation, list publicly available databases for literature search, and describe the content of an SSCP.

Communicating Science to the Public

6/13/2022 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Presenter: Susan Aiello, DVM, ELS

Audience – All levels

In this session, we will consider best practices and strategies for communicating science to the public, both for written pieces and for in-person or virtual presentations. Individual topics include understanding the audience, determining the message, and effectively using language and visuals. Challenges and potential pitfalls to be avoided will be described. Time will be devoted to handling scientific uncertainty and managing crisis communications, as well as dealing with journalists and the media. This usually makes for a lively discussion, so come prepared to share!

MedWrite Talks

6/13/2022 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Best Practices for Client Interaction
In an era of electronic communication, when writer-client relationships can be exclusively forged online, consulting success relies on the maintenance of a professional brand that projects competence. In this session, we will discuss best practices for client interaction by electronic resources, including review of virtual meeting, email, and report communication case studies that are based on real-world experiences.

Small Business Survival Skills: Your Way to Success
Over 20% of new businesses fail in their first year, and 50% close within five years. When starting their businesses, freelance medical writers face many difficulties and barriers, especially if breaking into the field. Some are held back by challenging personal and work situations. As time passes, some begin to believe and accept that they will not succeed. Hence, they decide to shut down and stop writing.  Pulling from my personal experience as an immigrant, the mom of a childhood cancer survivor, pharmacist, and a medical writer, I not only pushed through adversities but stayed focused. I developed skills that propelled my business and myself forward. This presentation will teach freelance medical writers small business survival skills that will encourage them to keep pushing through, stay focused and not give up on their business prematurely.
 
It’s All In How You Pivot
Every day brings challenges and choices, opportunities to decide whether to stay the course or head in a new direction. How you pivot can make all the difference. In this MedWrite talk, Brian Bass, MWC, will reveal some of the best, and the worst, decisions he’s made in his career as an employee and as a freelancer, and how choosing to make a choice has propelled him along the path to success.  

Reminders of Life Lessons from the Barnyard
Let’s take a lighthearted look at a few life lessons seen through the lens of working with our animal friends.

WS-02: Advanced Writing

6/14/2022 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Presenter: Susan Aiello, DMV, ELS

For participants with 2 or more years of experience in editing or writing

This workshop is geared toward exploring the cognitive processes involved in approaching and working through a writing project, either as a sole undertaking or with others. We’ll compare outlining and mind mapping, and discuss how to leverage each technique for best results for specific writing projects. We’ll examine the importance of rewriting and editing to the writing process, and the principles of enlivening our use of language to make it more engaging and accessible to readers. Finally, let’s unblock writer’s block!