The maxim 'write about what you know' should be easy to follow for those in the healthcare field who want to write for general readers. Their daily work provides a rich source of material for either fiction or non-fiction. Most of this article applies not only to doctors but also to nurses, those in other professions related to medicine, and practitioners of alternative therapy.
Non-fiction:
As people have become better informed about health topics, less willing to accept doctors' advice uncritically, more wary of pharmaceutical drugs, and more interested in natural ways of preventing and treating illness, there is a big market for medical self-help books. Some of these are about specific conditions, usually chronic ones: high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, arthritis, digestive disorders, headaches, mental health problems and many more. Others deal with particular approaches, such as nutrition or mind-body techniques, which can be applied to a wide range of conditions. More theoretical works, dealing with the philosophy, ethics or politics of healthcare, will appeal to the scholarly reader. Books based on detailed case studies from the author's own practice can be fascinating, though there may be medico-legal issues to consider - see below.
Fiction:
The combination of medical settings and human interest has wide appeal, as evidenced by the proliferation of television medical dramas, mostly dealing with acute conditions which present to hospital emergency departments. Novels with a medical background range from short romances written for the popular market, to literary fiction exploring the deeper issues. Crime fiction would seem a particularly suitable genre for the doctor-author who has knowledge of forensic pathology, psychiatry or another relevant specialized field, or who has observed the quirks of family relationships through the lens of general practice. Surprisingly, few fictional detectives are doctors.
There are some special challenges and constraints to be considered by doctors starting to write for the public. Those who have been trained in the techniques of academic writing, as required for textbooks or scientific papers, will need to develop a different set of skills for a general audience. The style needs to be more descriptive and conversational, avoiding jargon, but also avoiding any tendency to 'talk down' to the reader.
Complaints from readers will be rare provided that the material is accurate and sensitively presented, but it is wise to include a suitable disclaimer in a self-help book to explain that the content is of a general nature, may not apply to all individuals and does not substitute for professional consultation.
If case-history material is being used, either in non-fiction or as the basis for a fictional character, it is essential to consider privacy and confidentiality.
I would always seek permission from patients or clients before quoting their stories, even if names and identifying details have been changed; give them the opportunity to check through what I have written before publication; or perhaps suggest they write something in their own words. Even if the subject of the piece had died I would approach the nearest relative. Doctors concerned about their own privacy or reputation may choose to publish under a pen-name.
Writing can be therapeutic, providing the opportunity to reflect upon clinical issues as well as a contrast to direct patient care. However a major constraint for many doctors is the lack of time to write.
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