Want to boost your health writing skills while avoiding burnout? Here are 8 free health writing resources that will simplify your life!
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Have you ever found yourself staring at a blank screen, struggling to explain important health topics to your readers?
We get you.
In health communication, producing accurate and meaningful health content can be overwhelming. However, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference.Â
Whether it is about research, editing, or learning basic concepts, these medical resources can save you both time and effort. And the best part? They're free to use!
Curious? Keep reading.
1. PubMed
Imagine accessing a giant library filled with all the latest medical knowledge. That's exactly what PubMed is! It's your personal tour guide through health research.
You can find everything from new discoveries to old studies on health and medicine, all neatly organized and easy to search through. With access to 36 million abstracts and references from life science journals, you can increase the credibility of your content by linking them to these authoritative databases.
What makes PubMed special is its search tools. They help you find exactly what you're looking for, even in the vast amount of information out there. All you have to do is use specific expressions and filters like Asterix (*) and Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to get the most relevant searches.
2. MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus is a comprehensive database of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) that serves as a hub of health-related information. It has almost 31 million references to life science journals and offers many peer-reviewed articles, research papers, and medical literature.Â
With its user-friendly interface and seamless search filters, you can easily find explainers and navigate various health literary resources as you write.Â
3. Cochrane
Looking to find reliable and authentic answers to your health query? Cochrane is an awesome site for that.
It is an international network of researchers, professionals, patients, and caregivers who work collaboratively to produce credible and accessible health information. Cochrane helps people make informed health decisions. Their information is based on real evidence and solid science.
Their systematic reviews often break down key facts in an easy-to-understand way. This helps writers explain the most important details clearly and meaningfully in their articles.
4. Biorender
Visuals are the best way to make your content a perfect treat for readers. Especially in health communication, bringing ideas to life in vibrant details can help you stand out.
But how could you create those scientific illustrations that grab the eyeballs and help people quickly understand the concept?Â
Enter Biorender, an online software tool designed for health professionals to create stunning science images. It has thousands of ready-made icons and templates covering various scientific areas like neuroscience, microbiology, and more. So, even if you're not an artist, you can still make amazing health drawings.Â
Its simple drag-and-drop feature allows you to create desired science figures 50 times faster. Plus, you can add cool colors and animations to make your pictures pop.
5. Infogram
Ever had to deal with boring health numbers and statistical data? Well, not a problem anymore. Infogram can turn them into vibrant charts, graphs, and maps with just a few clicks.
It is a data visualization and infographics tool like Biorender, which helps you transform complex health data into captivating stories. You don't need any prior coding or animation skills to operate this unique software.
Simply pick a template, add your data, and get yourself a stunning health infographic with its simple, intuitive WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor.
6. Grammarly
Grammarly is no longer a hidden editing software in the writing world due to its vast influence and ease of use.
This improved readability tool is your personal writing coach at your fingertips. By offering helpful suggestions to tighten up your sentences, fix typos, and use better word choices, it makes your health writing inclusive to a diverse audience.
7. Zoterobib
Do you feel like pulling your hair while formatting citations for your health content? You must have never tried Zoterobib!
This free online tool is designed to simplify the process of creating a bibliography by extracting data from various sources, including books, articles, websites, and more. This way, you can avoid entering each and every detail manually.
Using ZoteroBib is straightforward: Simply input the source's URL, DOI, ISBN, or other relevant details, and see the tool automatically generate precise citations in any style, including APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.
8. Harvard Medical School Online
Harvard Medical School is an online learning platform that offers a number of courses, workshops, and tutorials to sharpen your writing skills and deepen your understanding of health topics.
It also provides opportunities to connect with other professionals in the healthcare field. So, if you want to establish yourself as a health writer, their mentorship opportunities and certifications are worth considering. And many of them are also free! It will help you add credibility to your professional portfolio.
Most importantly, it’s user-friendly. Their information works for readers from all backgrounds and knowledge levels.Â
It's a wrap!
As you can see, the above-mentioned health resources and tools are a lifeline for health writers, regardless of their experience level. They can help you enhance content quality, establish authority, and make an impact even as the healthcare world constantly changes!
Hania Afsar is a freelance SEO medical article writer. Read more about her work and connect with her on LinkedIn.
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