Message from the President - Volume 21, Issue

Dear Medical Writers Top of Form Bottom of Form I expect I am not the only one who at this time of year looks at their calendar in disbelief and asks how on earth another 12 months can have disappeared so quickly? The end of the year is always an…

Out On Our Own - Volume 22, Issue

The EMWA autumn conference is always so well placed in November, giving us the chance to meet friends and colleagues before the onslaught of traditional end of year festivities. Barcelona's conference was no exception. We were pleased to welcome new …

The Light Stuff - Volume 22, Issue

Decoding the Japanese Code 1: Yes means yes, and no does not exist At a recent dinner, my husband and I were chatting with a university professor, a Japanese fellow who has lived and worked in Europe and the US. We talked about cross-cultural…

Out On Our Own - Volume 24, Issue

Editorial

All of us are aware by now that we can't live without technology and not only at work. With advice, aids, appliances and apps in abundance, we are at the point where we can't see the wood for the trees. Thank goodness we have advice from M…

EMWA news - Volume 21, Issue

News from the EMWA Website Manager   New role At the recent EMWA conference held in Cyprus, I assumed the position of EMWA Website Manager. While this is a daunting task, it is a challenge I am pleased to take on. To ensure that I was in a…

In this issue… The Medical Writing Business - Volume 24, Issue

As medical writers, we strive not just to survive but to thrive. Threats, opportunities, and complications come from many directions, and how to best position ourselves, our departments, and our companies requires much thought. Money is important…

News from the EMA - Volume 23, Issue

Update from the European Medicines Agency on development of its policy on publication and access to clinical-trial data   From the European Medicines Agency, 13 November 2013 – The European Medicines Agency is currently reviewing and analysing…

What can twitter do for me? - Volume 22, Issue

Like everything, the usefulness of twitter depends on what the user does with it. Here is an assortment of information that can be obtained if you selectively follow organisations with twitter accounts relevant to your interests or…

Out On Our Own - Volume 23, Issue

Plain language and readability - Volume 24, Issue

Plain language is writing in clear, concise language that is easy to read and understand. Whenever I hear the term plain language I am reminded of a lay summary I was once asked to edit. The stream of technical language (‘self-source bias’, ‘effect m…