Writing Mistakes to Avoid in Medical Articles

Medical research articles are crucial for sharing new findings and advancing patient care. However, even experienced researchers can make mistakes when writing these articles. In this blog, we’ll discuss some of the most common writing mistakes in medical articles and provide examples of how they can be corrected.

1. Misuse of jargon and technical language:
Using technical language and jargon can be useful for communicating precise ideas among experts, but it can also be a barrier for readers who may not have the same level of expertise. Medical writers need to keep in mind that their audience includes not only fellow experts but also patients, caregivers, and policymakers.

Example:
Original sentence: “The patient had a myocardial infarction due to occlusion of the left anterior descending artery.”
Rewritten sentence: “The patient had a heart attack due to a blockage in one of the arteries that supply blood to the heart.”

In the original sentence, the medical jargon “myocardial infarction” and “left anterior descending artery” may not be easily understood by non-medical readers. The rewritten sentence conveys the same information using simpler language, making it more accessible to a wider audience.

2. Use of passive voice:
Using passive voice can make sentences longer and harder to understand. Additionally, it can obscure who or what is responsible for the actions described in the sentence. Medical writers should strive to use active voice whenever possible to make their writing more concise and transparent.

Example:
Passive sentence: “The medication was administered to the patient.”
Active sentence: “The nurse administered the medication to the patient.”

In the passive sentence, it’s not clear who administered the medication. The active sentence is more straightforward and identifies the person responsible for the action.

3. Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is a serious offense that can harm the credibility of the author and the research. Authors should always properly cite sources and avoid copying large amounts of text without attribution.

Example:
Original text: “The prevalence of diabetes is on the rise worldwide, with an estimated 463 million adults living with the condition in 2019.” (source: International Diabetes Federation)
Plagiarized text: “The number of people with diabetes has been increasing globally and it is estimated that there were 463 million adults living with diabetes in 2019.”

In the plagiarized text, the information is taken directly from the source without proper citation. By quoting the source and giving credit to the original author, the writer can avoid plagiarism and maintain credibility.

At GlobalEdits, we understand the importance of getting medical research published in reputable journals. Our team of experienced editors can help researchers avoid common writing mistakes and ensure that their articles are clear, concise, and accurate. We provide a range of editing services, including proofreading, language editing, and manuscript formatting. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you improve your medical writing and increase your chances of publication.

By the GlobalEdits team