- By Write RN
Learn how to guide freelance writers to follow medical content guidelines while producing accurate, compliant, and patient-friendly healthcare content.
Working with freelance writers can be a cost-effective way to produce healthcare content. But when patient trust and compliance are on the line, you must ensure accuracy and adherence to medical content guidelines. Without clear expectations, even skilled freelance writers can make mistakes that lead to misinformation or compliance risks.
In this post, we’ll cover practical steps to help you manage freelance writers and keep your healthcare content both trustworthy and effective.
Why Medical Content Guidelines Matter
Healthcare writing is different from other industries. A blog about healthy living or a webpage about treatment options can directly affect how patients make decisions. That’s why guidelines matter. They:
- Ensure accuracy in all health information
- Protect patients and organizations from misinformation
- Maintain compliance with regulations like HIPAA and FDA standards
- Support SEO and readability for better patient engagement
Clear guidelines set the standard for quality content.
Challenges of Managing Freelance Writers
Freelance writers bring flexibility and fresh perspectives, but there are challenges:
- Knowledge gaps: Many writers lack clinical expertise.
- Inconsistent tone: Without direction, content may not match your brand voice.
- Compliance risks: Writers may be unaware of legal and ethical requirements in healthcare writing.
By addressing these challenges upfront, you can prevent issues before they affect your content.
Best Practices for Keeping Freelance Writers on Track
1. Provide a Comprehensive Style Guide
Your style guide should outline:
- Reading level (ideally 5th–7th grade)
- Approved terminology
- Tone and brand voice
- Formatting and citation requirements
- Rules for SEO keyword placement
This document is a roadmap for freelance writers to follow your medical content guidelines.
2. Require Reputable Sources
Freelance writers should always cite reliable medical organizations like the CDC, Mayo Clinic, or NIH. This ensures accuracy and strengthens credibility.
3. Set Up a Review Process
A layered review process reduces risk:
- Writer self-check: Ensuring clarity and accuracy
- Editor review: Focusing on flow, grammar, and SEO
- Clinical review: Verifying medical accuracy when needed
This approach helps protect against misinformation and compliance issues.
4. Train Freelancers on Compliance Basics
Writers should understand HIPAA rules, FDA guidelines, and the importance of avoiding personal health information. Share resources like the HHS HIPAA Privacy Rule to keep them informed.
5. Communicate Regularly
Regular check-ins help freelancers stay aligned with your expectations. Use feedback sessions to reinforce guidelines and address issues quickly.
Tools to Support Freelance Writers
Technology can help streamline the process:
- Readability tools ensure content meets patient-friendly standards.
- SEO platforms like Moz or Ahrefs help with optimization.
- Plagiarism checkers confirm originality and compliance with publishing standards.
These tools support both quality and compliance in medical writing.
How Write RN Can Help
At Write RN, we understand the unique challenges of working with freelance writers. Our team of nurse writers combines clinical knowledge with writing expertise to ensure all content follows medical content guidelines. We can help you create a framework for success, whether you manage freelance writers or outsource directly to us.
Explore our Healthcare Content Writing Services to see how we can help you maintain compliance and accuracy across your content.
Freelance writers can be valuable partners, but they must be guided by strong medical content guidelines. By setting clear expectations, requiring reliable sources, and creating a thorough review process, you can produce accurate, compliant, and engaging healthcare content that builds patient trust.
Need help managing freelance writers or creating guideline-driven content? Work with Write RN today.
FAQs
What should medical content guidelines include?
They should include reading level, terminology rules, SEO standards, compliance requirements, and source guidelines.
How do I ensure freelance writers use reliable sources?
Provide a list of trusted medical sites, such as CDC, NIH, or Mayo Clinic, and require citations for all medical claims.
Do all healthcare topics require a clinical review?
Not always, but clinical review is recommended for complex or sensitive topics where accuracy is critical.
References:
Yoast. (2021, September 21). Does readability rank? Yoast. https://yoast.com/does-readability-rank/
- Writer. (2022, October 26). Create your own writing style guide [template]. Writer. https://writern.net/create-your-own-writing-style-guide-template/
About the Author
Janine Kelbach, RNC-OB
Janine is a Registered Nurse since 2006, specializing in labor and delivery. She still works at the bedside, as needed. She built Write RN back in 2015 when she started as a freelance writer.
Over the years, and many clients later, she studied marketing, grew her marketing skills, her portfolio (over 200+ pieces), and her business to the agency it is today.
