Roles of Academic Writers in a Department: Benefits, Structures, and Funding

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Academic Medicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Limited information exists on professional academic writers' roles in medical departments.
• Previous discussions focused on opinions, particularly regarding ghostwriting, rather than practical implementation.
• Academic medical departments need structured models for engaging writing support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the lack of published information on professional academic writers in medical departments.
• To explore practical models for hiring and compensating academic writers.
• To provide a framework for other departments to adapt and implement writing support services.

Main Methods:

• An online discussion and webinar were hosted by the Association of Departments of Family Medicine.
• Input was gathered from three US-based family medicine departments on their use of academic writers.
• The study identified and analyzed three primary models of academic writer utilization.

Main Results:

• Three models of academic writer support were identified: grant writing, research/academic support for faculty, and departmental communication.
• Specific examples of activities, benefits, and drawbacks were detailed for each model.
• Funding opportunities associated with each model were explored.

Conclusions:

• Professional academic writers can provide valuable support across various functions within medical departments.
• The identified models offer practical frameworks for departments seeking to integrate writing support.
• Further exploration and adaptation of these models can enhance research dissemination and faculty productivity.