Want to improve systemic healthcare issues? You need to understand this.

One of the most common reasons people decide to transition from healthcare, allied healthcare, or research roles into medical communications is wanting to “make a bigger impact.” When you’re stuck in a clinic or lab, it’s very difficult to get the message out there of how your knowledge or findings could actually benefit people in the real world. Whereas, when you write about it, you can reach tens of thousands of people all in one go, which has the potential to make change.

While I don’t have a problem with this aspiration, I do have a problem with what ends up happening next. People sit around learning about the industry, talking about its systemic problems, and perpetuating them among one another. They highlight the doubt and uncertainty we face—from deep-rooted societal problems to institutional divisions to structural and cultural issues in healthcare and academia—and spread it around for all to see and hear about. And what does it accomplish? Absolutely nothing.

Now, I do understand that there’s always a chance that some big shot in a position of power sees or hears these complaints and decides to do something about it. Maybe a policy gets tweaked. Perhaps someone questions the way things are run. Maybe an organization’s biases are revealed and it alters a decision-maker’s position on an issue. Big win. But how likely is that to occur? And what happens in the meantime? Again, absolutely nothing.

Advocating for inclusive workplaces, reforming educational systems, promoting diversity in leadership, challenging stereotypes, and creating supportive environments that value diverse perspectives and contributions are lovely sentiments. No-one could successfully argue that the world wouldn’t be a better place without those things. However, as an individual freelance medical writer, working from home, listening to a podcast about systemic issues in healthcare, ask yourself: What difference are you going to make?

Here’s the harsh reality: If you really want to make a bigger impact on the healthcare industry as a freelance writer, you actually need to have clients who can amplify your voice. The problem with learning, listening, and talking about societal issues and systemic problems is that it accomplishes nothing. The missed opportunity lies in recognizing where you, as an individual, can be of enormous service to the healthcare industry, despite these deep-rooted issues which, in turn, actually helps to turn them around.

Let’s take imposter syndrome as an example. One could argue that it is caused by societal pressures to achieve certain things; a cultural problem that necessitates broader recognition and solutions beyond those which any individual could implement. If that’s the case, where do we go from here? Nowhere. On the other hand, we could view imposter syndrome as a universal experience that affects individuals of varying backgrounds and can be thwarted through open discussion, acknowledgement, and personalized support. With this viewpoint, imposter syndrome presents as a huge opportunity for personal and professional growth. It’s something that can be overcome when effectively confronted and addressed at an individual level, resulting in a very different outcome than the systemic-focused perspective (e.g. a freelance writer feels confident enough to market themselves consistently and attracts a few new high-paying clients).

The fact is: The actions, decisions, and experiences of individuals are the primary drivers of outcomes. When emphasis is placed on personal agency, self-improvement, and self-awareness, no end of actionable steps open up for the taking, allowing freelance medical writers to amplify their voice to the masses. Taking responsibility for your own personal development by acquiring monetizable skills, developing helpful coping mechanisms, and cultivating an abundance mindset in entrepreneurship is the most effective way to get in front of people through freelance medical writing projects. And only those who believe they can will land them. You are the difference between success and failure. You have the power to reach C-suite executives, subject matter experts, spokespeople, policy writers, hiring managers, health educators, patient advocacy groups, and every community imaginable, to get important messages across in writing. You.

Recognizing that you suffer from imposter syndrome is the first step. Knowing where it comes from may provide some insight as to how to manage it, but the most important part is that you do manage it. Festering in the negativity, victimizing yourself, and complaining about it won’t change anything. Attend workshops to help shift your perspective. Work with a medical writing and/or business coach to boost your confidence. Find ways to manage feelings of inadequacy and re-frame unhelpful narratives you’ve been holding onto. Join a community of like-minded people who you can talk to openly about what’s going on with you in a productive way. Whatever you do, take aligned action.

Here’s the crux of it: You only need to understand the landscape to the extent to which you can navigate it effectively. Aside from that, it’s useless. The more you focus on the things that are under your control, the easier and more enjoyable life will be and the more you will accomplish personally and professionally. Markets dictate change, whether we like it or not, and it’s usually profit driven. But we, as individuals, are not responsible for fixing systemic problems. We have goals of our own—achieving a work-life balance, spending more time with loved ones, travelling frequently, saving up for our dream home—and there’s absolutely no shame in that.

If you want to have a big impact, your own personal success must come first. It’s totally legit to be in medical communications because you want to change the world. Dream big! But know that you can’t achieve any of this unless you actually have clients and know how to run a successful business.

No matter your cultural background, personal experiences, upbringing, education, societal influences, or individual temperament, you can shift your perspective to one of being in control of your life. You can learn foundational business skills. You can cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset. You can build unshakeable strength and resilience. And the sooner you do, the sooner society will benefit.

A way we can help:

The ‘Thriving & Free’ Medical Writer Program™ (personalized 1:1 coaching, community support, 350+ practical trainings, transformational approach).