Training in scientific communication

Information and communication techniques

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Effective Medical Reading | Effective Biomedical Writing | Team research writer

Reading the research literature is a fundamental activity for all healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers. Obstacles to a regular, efficient reading habit include lack of time and access to the full text, difficulty with reading English and, especially, inexperience navigating the contents of a research paper. While experienced scientists often read the various sections of a research paper out of order, inexperienced readers are likely to start at the abstract and introduction and read to the end; this does not permit them to "consume" a sufficient number of articles on a regular basis, especially considering the low readability of concise scientific English.

A competent reading habit is also the foundation of proficient scientific writing. This working hypothesis developed from 10 years' experience as scientific-linguistic editor for several small European medical journals, where many manuscripts had flaws and deficiencies suggesting that the authors were unfamiliar with the research literature.

This hypothesis was then the basis for developing the first course, Effective Medical Reading, accredited for continuing medical education (CME) in 2002. Preliminary experience with this course was presented at the first Mediterranean Editors and Translators Meeting (Barcelona, 2005). The appropriateness and effectiveness of this course in training both physicians and basic biomedical researchers have now been documented in the research literature [1]. This now well-consolidated course has spurred a sequel, Effective Biomedical Writing, in which young researchers are taken step-by-step through the process of writing up their own research according to the latest international standards.

Read more about the inhouse courses:

Effective Medical Reading (16 h)
Effective Biomedical Writing (36 h)

In alternative to a formal course, we also offer on a limited basis the service Team research writer, which implies a close collaboration between members of the research team and the medical writer-editor who provides assistance and strategic guidance in all phases of writing a research paper.

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1. Matarese V (2006) An introductory course on getting to know journals and on "browsing" a research paper: first steps to proficiency in scientific communication. Croat Med J 47:7657-775 (Medline, Full text)

For further information: Dr. V. Matarese, Ph.D. (+39-0423-985191; info@uptoit.org)