AboutNigel Simmons Expertise I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised.
Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner.
I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question.
Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?
Experience Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
Past/Present clients Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.
Expert: Nigel Simmons Date: 1/20/2008 Subject: Technical Writing in Pharmacy
Question I'm working on a report about writing in the field of Pharmacy, so I just have a few questions for you.
1.) What types of writing do you use in your career?
2.) What types of writing projects are commonly expected in the field?
3.) What forms of communication take place? And what technologies are used?
4.) What kind of style guide do you use to prepare documents, whether published in journals or in-house?
5.) Before becoming a Pharmacist, did you expect to be writing a lot during your job?
6.) Were you prepared for the type of writing in the Pharmacy field? Do you think a course like technical writing helped or would of helped you?
Answer Natalie
I can't promise that my answers are applicable to all pharmacists, especially as I am in the UK which may work differently to pharmacy practice in other countries.
1. Depending on the need, my normal reference sources would be clinical papers, professional journals, drug company technical documents or on-line services which can be considered valid or peer-reviewed.
2. In pharmacy, most writing is either product specific or wider research reports including case studies and trial reports. However reading professional journals for official information such as legislitative changes, professional issues etc. will also occur.
3. A mixture. Typically printed journals and magazines, official reports and documents, and information provided by drug companies. In the UK there is also a popular online network where pharmacists can share information. This is not official, but is a good way of finding specific experiences or getting directly to the key details without having to do a lot of research.
4. Style guides will vary depending on the type of information. Formal reports will have a common style, but this is obviously different to a news item or an adevertising flier.
5. From the outset is was hand writing prescription labels, though thankfully typewriters and more recently computers have removed that need. Other expectations were technical reports, entries into patient records and business correspondence. All are different and reflect the needs for the document and the intended audience.
6. At the outset the training was limited, and experienced is gained over time. A pharmacists can work in a variety of roles, their styles of writing will differ and they will tend to learn through their job, often reflecting the style of other work they come into contact with.
To be honest, early specific training in technical writing would be inappropriate. Pharmacists first need to know the essential information to fulfil their roles. Students may however benefit from some simple guidance to support their research projects and the necessary documentation. In time, if a pharmacist specialiese in a clinical information or research role, then it may be appropriate for them to have more specialist training.
