Professional Development

Professional Development Program.

The AMWA Professional Development Program (PDP) has been designed specifically for our members and aims to offer a wide selection of high-quality workshops in the areas of medical writing, editing, public relations, web design and a variety of topical issues.

The program is evolving to meet the needs of our members as experienced leaders become available to impart their knowledge in an engaging way to small groups. PDP workshops are ideal for keeping up to date with trends in medical writing, sharing ideas and getting to know other members.

The Professional Development Program Certificate.

By completing eight workshops or webinars, AMWA members are able to receive the AMWA PDP certificate.

This is not a qualification, but rather an indicator of the member’s commitment to continuing education in the area of medical writing. This can be useful for resumes, employment prospects and for some organisations, such as medical boards, that required CME points for accreditation.

Members are free to choose any workshop or webinar, and there is no stream or specialisation within the certificate structure. This enables members to participate in a variety of workshops depending on their vocation and interest.

In order to receive the PDP certificate, participants need to submit written proof of their attendance to the AMWA Executive Committee.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to request your PDP certificate?

When you have completed eight workshops, please email: secretary@medicalwriters.org and include the following information:

Your name
Workshop/webinar titles
Dates attended

When are workshops and webinars held?

Workshops are offered at each AMWA Annual Conference, and also via online webinars during the year.

Upcoming webinars are listed on our Events page.

Who can participate?

The PDP workshops and webinars are open to both members and non-members; however, anyone who wishes to have workshops credited towards the AMWA PDP certificate must become a member.

Are there registration fees?

A fee is charged for all workshops and webinars. The cost of workshops offered at the annual conference is in addition to the conference registration fee.

Most workshops are limited to 20-25 spaces and participants are accepted on a first-come-first-in basis. Therefore, participants should register early as many workshops fill up quickly.

Workshop topics

Upcoming and previous topics include:

Evaluating clinical papers
Health resources on the web
Writing and designing web content
Proofreading for medical writers
Information, knowledge & evidence in medicine
PR techniques for medical communicators
Technical writing skills
Tables, figures and references
Evidence-based medicine: the basics
Biotechnology for medical writers
Law of defamation for medical writers
Writing about medicines
Writing for magazines
Statistics for medical writers
Social media for medical writers

The AMWA PDP has been developed using the suggestions and input of members from e-mails, workshop evaluations and questionnaires.

The program continues to grow through the support of our members, so we encourage all interested members to:

Give us ideas for workshops or ways to improve the program
Nominating yourself or someone else you know who would be a good presenter.
Offer your services on our workshop subcommittee.

AMWA 2020 – Medical Writing and Communication During the COVID-19 Crisis

For those who attended the AMWA 2020 Special Virtual Event: 'Medical Writing and Communication During the COVID-19 Crisis' on Thursday 19 November, we are sure you would agree that it was an invaluable two hours. The calibre of speakers and their learnings from this unprecedented crisis were beyond our expectations. We are humbled by their willingness to give their personal time to share their experience with us.

If you missed the live event, a recording is available to AMWA members in the Members Area. If you are not yet an AMWA member, but would like to join, you can visit our membership and benefits page here. Annual membership is $80 for full members and $40 for students.