A Cardiologist on Sermo has published six medical thrillers. A GP teaches biology at a local college. A Psychiatrist plays music professionally. For many physicians, creative work like medical writing is a side interest that gives them a source of purpose, perspective and balance.1
According to a recent Sermo poll, 31% of physicians have a non-clinical side gig, and 18% say they sell a service, like writing or consulting.2 But while interest in alternative careers is growing, there’s still uncertainty about what’s possible and how to start.
Is freelance medical writing viable for doctors? Can it offer more than just extra income? And does it actually help with burnout, or just add more work?
This article draws on Sermo poll data and real physician insights to explore those questions. It will discuss how writing can be a meaningful, flexible way for doctors to connect, contribute and even rediscover their voice.
Why are more doctors turning to medical writing?
The motivations are varied, but the trend is clear. When asked what prompted their interest in non-clinical work, 51% of physicians on Sermo said the COVID-19 pandemic gave them time to explore new skills like writing or teaching.2 For others, the driver was burnout giving them a desire to shift gears, even slightly, from the pressures of clinical practice.1
“I think it’s essential to give space to our passion,1” one Urologist on Sermo who spends their time writing shared. Additionally, a GP agrees, stating: “Exercising the left brain is as beneficial as exercising the right.1”
Flexibility is another draw. Unlike other side gigs that require fixed hours or in-person commitments, writing can be picked up during free evenings, weekends, or slow shifts: ones with no travel or on-call stress. Medical writing jobs are remote in nature, which also adds to their ease of access. And because it builds on existing medical knowledge, the learning curve is often faster than doctors expect.1
For many, the appeal goes deeper than logistics. Writing offers intellectual stimulation and creative freedom, giving doctors a chance to explain, reflect upon or reframe the healthcare experience in their own words. Oftentimes, they use writing as a way to reflect on their own patient care.1
What kind of medical writing jobs are available?
Medical writing offers a spectrum of roles that vary by tone, purpose and client.
On one end are part time medical writing jobs in regulatory and pharmaceutical writing. This is structured, high-accuracy content for clinical trials, drug development and compliance.
On the other hand, blog writing, editorial content and patient education allow for more informal, engaging communication. One Family Medicine physician and Sermo member shared, “I write for a local upscale magazine…And I have had more than 60 short stories, non-fiction articles and even a few poems published.1”
Many doctors also contribute to Continuing Medical Education (CME) content or serve as ghostwriters for peer-reviewed publications.1
One Cardiologist on Sermo described their writing journey as anything but conventional: “I’m a writer of medical mysteries and thrillers: six books published, plus a few plays. It’s not just about explaining science. It’s about telling stories grounded in truth.1” Indeed, given their knowledge of anatomy or pharmaceuticals, physicians can often make the best writers of fiction in subgenres like body horror or medical thrillers.
Popular freelance writing paths for doctors include:
- Health and wellness articles for websites and patient education portals
- CME and curriculum development for medical education providers
- Regulatory documents for pharma and med-tech companies
- Books, fiction and screenwriting based on clinical themes
- Editorial consulting for publishers or startups
- Ghostwriting for journals, executives, or media
This diversity means physicians can choose writing opportunities that align with their time, energy and interests; whether they want something highly structured or more creative and flexible.
How can you become a freelance medical writer?
Many physicians begin by simply testing the waters. They may begin by writing a blog post, contributing to a newsletter or editing a colleague’s research. But building a consistent writing path involves a few practical steps:
Learn the fundamentals
Taking a medical writing course can boost confidence and credibility. And the demand is real, with 390 searches/month for “medical writing courses.3”
Create a writing portfolio
Even 2–3 short samples (e.g., patient guides, blog posts) can help showcase your voice and expertise. If you’ve written CME content or edited research before, that counts too.
Lean into networks
Cross-specialty collaboration can lead to unexpected and rewarding career opportunities, particularly when physicians take on advisory or leadership roles.
One Internal Medicine physician on Sermo shared: “For many years I have worked as a management consultant, mostly in two arenas: Strategy and Leadership Development.” This kind of work often begins with professional connections, the kind you can spark in platforms like Sermo.
Tapping into this kind of physician-only network can help you learn from peers, discover opportunities and build relationships that lead to meaningful side gigs.
Join freelance platforms
Consider sites like Upwork, Health Writer Hub, or niche content agencies that value clinician-authored work.
Like medicine, the key to writing is practice. Each assignment, whether clinical or creative, builds fluency and opens new doors.
Does writing actually help with burnout?
At first glance, adding “one more thing” might seem counterproductive. Indeed, for some doctors, the desire is there, but the ability isn’t. As one physician on Sermo argues, “Medicine is a very demanding profession and only rarely permits for other side gigs.1”
However, for many doctors, writing gives them a chance to let off steam through words, rather than adding another burden: “For fun, I write medical murder mysteries and I’m a playwright. I’ve had several plays on stage in my area (Indianapolis),1” wrote a Cardiology expert on Sermo.
37% of physicians on Sermo say having a side gig is important for creating perspective more than money.2 Writing offers space to reflect, interpret, create and express. It creates distance from daily clinical pressures and re-engages physicians with their purpose—educating, communicating and making complex ideas human again, which often gets lost in busy daily practice.
Burnout often stems from lack of autonomy and emotional exhaustion. Writing, especially when self-directed, offers the opposite: choice, creativity and impact.
Your takeaway
Freelance medical content writing jobs can be a fulfilling extension of your clinical expertise. Whether you’re creating patient-friendly content, writing regulatory documents or exploring creative nonfiction, your voice matters.
And in a system that often pushes efficiency over expression, writing can be a small but powerful way to reclaim clarity, curiosity and control.
Join the conversation on Sermo
Want to explore what other physicians are writing? Join Sermo to connect with doctors publishing everything from CME content to novels and discover where your own words might take you.
People also ask
For freelance jobs in medical writing, most doctors already have the core qualification: clinical expertise. Some take courses to build confidence or structure. One Sermo member said, “I did a paralegal degree […] to keep my brain challenged,1” showing that upskilling is about curiosity and not always necessity.
A medical writing salary varies widely around the world. Therefore, some physicians write for fulfillment rather than income. One Sermo member noted, “I have had more than 60 short stories, non-fiction articles, and even a few poems published. It is a thrill to see your work in print. Not much money, though.1” Others, like regulatory writers or consultants, report higher rates.1 It depends on the type of writing and time invested.
Yes. For many, freelance medical writing opportunities offer purpose and balance. They can be intellectually rewarding, flexible and help some doctors stay connected to their creativity while maintaining control over their time.
Footnotes
- Sermo member comment on: Sermo (n.d.) Poll of the Week: Do you have a non-clinical side gig? Available at: https://app.sermo.com/feed/for-you/post/670743/expanded (Accessed: 22 May 2025).
- Sermo (n.d.) Poll of the Week: Do you have a non-clinical side gig? Available at: https://app.sermo.com/feed/for-you/post/670743/expanded (Accessed: 22 May 2025).
- Semrush (2025) Keyword overview: medical writing courses. Available at: https://www.semrush.com (Accessed: 22 May 2025).
