From Diagnosis to Advocacy: What Rare Disease Teaches Us About CME
How do we create continuing education that prepares clinicians to deliver life-changing diagnoses with both precision and compassion?In this episode, we explore what happens when the scientist’s role as a communicator intersects with the lived experience of parenting a child with a rare disease. I'm talking with Dr. Jennifer Brown, a geneticist who recently published a memoir, When the Baby is not OK: Hopes and Genes, based on her experience of parenting children diagnosed with PKU through newborn screening.
For CME professionals, this episode is a call to rethink how we center narrative, ethics, and emotional intelligence in our content, especially when evidence alone isn’t enough to support meaningful patient care.
Learn how outdated narratives and clinical language can alienate patients—and how reframing them can build trust and support retention in care.
Hear why integrating lived experience into CME is essential for designing education that resonates beyond the exam room.
Discover how personal storytelling, ethical reflection, and patient advocacy can enrich data-driven CME writing.
▶️ Press play to discover how Dr. Jennifer Brown’s dual lens—as a geneticist and parent—can sharpen your skills as a more empathetic, informed CME professional.
Connect with Jennifer
LinkedIn
Goodreads
Author Site
Bluesky
YouTube
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39:22
Beyond PubMed: CME's Hidden Treasure Map
CME professionals, medical writers, educators, and researchers - what would you do if PubMed suddenly became less accessible? You depend on this critical resource daily to find evidence-based information that powers your work. But recent funding uncertainties at the NIH have raised questions about its future.
You need consistent, reliable access to quality biomedical research to meet deadlines and maintain credibility, but navigating alternatives can feel overwhelming. Where would you even begin if your go-to resource is compromised?
Today's episode is your insurance policy. My conversation with medical librarian Rachel Wedeward MLIS, AHIP reveals not only why PubMed matters, but also provides you with practical alternatives, including a downloadable resource sheet, and evaluation strategies to ensure you'll never be left without the research you need - no matter what happens.
In this episode, you'll discover:
The remarkable infrastructure behind PubMed's indexing system that makes it an indispensable tool for organizing and accessing biomedical research
A comprehensive overview of complementary resources, including European PubMed Central and specialized databases that can enhance your research approach
Practical wisdom for evaluating evidence quality
Listen now to expand your research toolkit with expert knowledge that will help you confidently navigate the evolving landscape of medical information resources.
Connect with Rachel
Website
LinkedIn
📚 Resources
PubMed
The essential biomedical database maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. A critical starting point for CME writers and medical educators to access peer-reviewed research.
European PubMed Central
A free database of biomedical and life sciences research literature from Europe. A strong alternative to PubMed.
Grey Literature Sources
Sometimes the best insights aren’t found in journals. Examples of trusted grey literature repositories include:
Kaiser Family Foundation
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Find guides on Rachel's website
Alex's Sharable Evidence Bank (>70 sources)
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26:13
What’s next in your CME writing journey? Let’s map it out.
Have you ever wondered what it actually takes to go from “interested in CME writing” to running a thriving, sustainable business?
In this final episode of the CME Writing Success Blueprint series, I'm tying everything together—because mastering individual skills is only part of the equation. What really creates success is integration. Whether you're transitioning from academia, clinical practice, or general medical writing, you'll walk away with a clear picture of how to turn your curiosity into a high-impact freelance career.
Listen in to learn:
A practical breakdown of the ROADMAP Framework—the 7 pillars for building a CME writing business from the ground up
How to translate your existing skills into profitable client work—even if you’re just getting started
What a thriving CME writing business actually looks like (spoiler: it’s about confidence, consistent income, and creative freedom)
🎧 Tune in now and take the first step toward building a CME writing business that’s focused, flexible, and truly fulfilling.
→ Join WriteCME Accelerator and build your CME writing business with clarity, confidence, and community.
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17:54
You Don’t Have to Go It Alone: How Mentorship and Community Accelerate Your CME Writing Growth
Are you trying to figure out CME writing all on your own—and wondering why it feels so hard to make real progress?
If you’re navigating the world of freelance medical writing, especially in the niche of continuing medical education (CME), you might be feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or isolated. In this episode, we unpack one of the biggest reasons many freelancers stall: trying to build a business without support. Whether you're just starting out or trying to grow strategically, this episode offers insight into how mentorship and peer community can transform your path.
Here’s what you’ll gain from listening:
Clarity on why going solo slows your growth—and how guidance can shorten the learning curve.
Real-world examples of how mentorship delivers personalized feedback, industry insight, and opportunities you won’t find on Google.
A deep dive into the power of peer community for accountability, emotional support, and confidence-building collaboration.
Tune in now to discover how mentorship and community can fast-track your CME writing success—and help you build a career that’s sustainable, supported, and fulfilling.
💻 Live Workshop: CME Writing Success Formula
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26:30
CME Writing Isn’t Just Craft—It’s Commerce: Pricing, Clients, and Professional Systems
Are you a talented medical writer struggling to turn your CME skills into a profitable business?
In this episode of Write Medicine, we pull back the curtain on the business side of CME writing—where creativity meets commerce. You'll learn what seasoned freelancers wish they’d known sooner: how to set your rates with confidence, where to find ideal clients, and what systems you need to run a professional, low-stress writing business.
Imagine working with clients who respect your time, value your expertise, and pay you what you're worth. With the right pricing models and a clear plan, you can transform your freelance CME writing hustle into a thriving, sustainable business.
Listen now to learn how to elevate your CME writing practice from freelance fatigue to freelance freedom. And if you’re ready to dive deeper, register for my free upcoming workshop—CME Writing Success Formula. Details below.
Resources
Save Your Spot → 🧭 Live online workshop CME Writing Success Formula
If TED Talks and a mastermind group had a podcast baby for CME professionals, it would be Write Medicine.
Think of Write Medicine as the NPR of continuing medical education—smart, engaging, and always packed with insights you can use right away.
Every week, your host, Alexandra Howson PhD, cracks open the secrets of powerful CME content, decoding adult learning, designing impactful outcomes, and navigating the fast-changing world of medical education. Sometimes, she goes solo. Other times, she invites industry pros to share their expertise. Either way, you’ll get practical strategies to elevate your CME writing game.
Whether you’re just starting in CME or you're a seasoned pro looking for that extra edge, Write Medicine is your weekly power-up session for crafting education that truly makes a difference.
Listen, learn, and level up your CME game—because better education means better patient care.
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