MedPie Guide for Contributors

The founding partners of MedPie.com are driven by a shared view that all health stories represent teachable moments for the world. We believe that most traditional health and medical news leaves out much of the background data needed to formulate an educated point-of-view. We aim to provide evidence based health and medical news and commentary that calls on relevant research and clinical knowledge. We hope to reveal the hidden truths beyond the headlines, to help people make better choices with their health.

We’re looking for Physicians and Allied Health Providers to help with our mission.

 Why be a contributor?

Your incentive: further fame and glory, plus you’ll be helping mankind. You’ll also gain a higher profile for you and your practice in your community and online, which may increase your patient volume. Monetary remuneration? None.

MedPie has three types of content:

MedPie’s content takes three forms:

Medpie’s content falls under the following topical categories:

 

Examples:

News-based, commentary, people
Manny Ramirez, Trying to be a Man?

News-based, news analysis, slide show
Fatal Polio thrives on Conflict along Porous Border

Research-driven, commentary, top health stories
Does She or Doesn’t She? Recent Research Revives Orgasm Debate

Research-driven, interview, conversations
A Conversation with Dr. Dart: Cough and Cold Medications are Safe for Children; Just Give the Right Dose

Original Content, Column/Opinion, nutrition
The Evidence Based Diet: Swine Fried Rice

Original Content, video, conversations   
The Meaning Response

Here is an example of a newspaper article that leaves out some of the research links and background information that a MedPie piece would have.
From The Washington Post, May 2009
Washington Post: Survey Finds Link Between Obesity and Flu Severity

The missing information that a MedPie version of this article would attempt to answer might include:


The Nitty Gritty

Length: between 250-800 words

Video or Slideshow Length: 1minute 30 seconds to 4 minutes.

Number of links to research supporting your written article: four minimum

Caveat: Don’t produce content that implies a doctor-patient relationship with any individual or the reader. Don’t produce content that violates the law.

We will need a copy of your bio or CV and a color headshot (100 x 100 pixels) with your article. Contributors may submit a website URL for linkage below your article; this may drive traffic to your practice or business.

MedPie.com retains the right to post your work indefinitely.

Medpie.com’s contributors retain the right to use their own work in any written form, without permission from MedPie.com as long as there is an attribution: originally appeared on medpie.com [with link to page].

Medpie.com retains the right to remove your work for any reason.

Medpie.com retains the unlimited right to publication of or use of your work in alternative formats and venues. Including but not limited to: in a compilation for a book or electronic publication; text made into a voice recording for a slide show.

You agree to indemnify and hold MedPie.com, its authorized agents and contributors, harmless from any claim or demand, including attorneys’ fees, made by any third party as a result of (1) any content posted or made available by you on THE SITE, (2) any violation of law that occurs by you through THE SITE, and/or (3) anything you do using THE SITE and/or the Information contained therein.

Some Basic Writing Tips You May Find Useful.

Write in your own voice. Don’t try to sound like that pseudo-academic who can quote studies but doesn’t know how to take care of actual patients.

Keep your audience in mind. MedPie’s audience is made up of knowledgeable health consumers, and some medical professionals. Will this audience understand what you’re saying? What would they object to in your argument? Will they find this sentence interesting? The paragraph? The whole article?

Don’t struggle. Write whatever decent sentence comes to mind and go on until the draft is done. Then go back and revise. It’s infinitely easier to revise your way to excellence than to insist on perfection the first go-around.

Be a word cheapskate. It takes a lot of work to explain a complicated concept well to a non-expert, but don’t rely too much on big words and long sentences. Every unnecessary word can dilute your message—it’s like watering down wine.

Ask for negative feedback. A friend or colleague who represents the MedPie target audience can help you improve your work. See what someone else thinks before you email your contribution to us.

Read the piece aloud. You might email a draft to your feedback person, then call them and read it aloud while they’re following along. This can be a good way to see if you’re saying what they’re hearing. Reading the piece along can also help you improve the piece more quickly too.

Write about what interests you. Medpie.com generally does not give assignments; the best writing comes from people who have written about something they are interested in.

Have fun! Imperative.

For questions or clarifications and advice: send email to Barbara Lock, Editor-in-Chief/Editorial Director/Chief Strategist at block@medpie.com

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