Getting medical editing right starts with clear instructions

Why vague editing requests can lead to problems in medical and medico-legal content

Getting medical editing right depends on more than technical skill – it starts with clear instructions. In medical and medico-legal editing, requests such as ‘a quick proofread’ or ‘a light edit’ are common, but they can mean very different things to different people. Without clarification, assumptions can easily creep in, increasing the risk of a final document that doesn’t fully meet its purpose.

This is why clear communication at the outset is essential. When expectations are clearly defined, medical editing becomes focused, proportionate and effective – ensuring confidence in the finished document.

Assumptions are risky

Assuming what a client wants can create two main issues:

Missing important issues

A ‘quick proofread’ might seem straightforward, but the document could contain ambiguous language, inconsistent terminology or references that need cross-checking. If these are overlooked, the final document may be unclear, inaccurate or potentially misleading.

Making unnecessary changes

Conversely, if the editor assumes a ‘light edit’ requires rewriting, the author’s voice or intended meaning may be altered unnecessarily. This can frustrate the client and compromise the professional integrity of the document.

In medical and medico-legal contexts, even small errors or ambiguities can have real consequences, making accurate understanding of client expectations crucial.

Clarifying expectations upfront

The best way to avoid these issues is clear communication at the start. Asking questions ensures the editing approach aligns with the client’s needs. For example:

• What is the purpose of this document?

• Who is the intended audience?

• Which areas require the most attention (e.g. terminology, references, structure)?

• Are there any style or format guidelines to follow?

By taking a few extra minutes upfront, editors save time in the long run, reduce the risk of errors and deliver a document that fully meets its purpose.

Why this matters in medical editing

Medical content and medico-legal reports often carry high stakes – whether they inform clinical decisions, support legal proceedings or contribute to professional publication. In these contexts, understanding exactly what the client wants is essential to ensure accuracy and usability.

When expectations are not clearly defined, there is a greater chance that important issues will be missed or that editorial intervention will be misaligned with the document’s purpose. A report that is accurate but insufficiently clear, or clear but inadvertently altered, may fail to serve its intended function.

Clear instructions allow the editor to apply the appropriate level of scrutiny and judgement. They help ensure that the work is focused, proportionate and defensible, rather than based on guesswork. For clients, this means fewer follow-up queries, less revision and greater confidence in the final document.

Final thoughts

Editing is not a one-size-fits-all service. It is a collaborative process that depends on shared understanding between client and editor.

Taking the time to clarify expectations at the outset helps protect accuracy, preserve authorial intent and ensure the document achieves its purpose … and also results in a happy client!

For medical and medico-legal content in particular, this early clarity is not just helpful; it is essential.

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A note on terminology: The terms medical copyeditor, medical proofreader and medical editor are often confused and used interchangeably. To add to the confusion, there are yet other terms used for different niches such as plain-English editor, medico-legal copyeditor or editorial assistant (the latter is commonly used in medical communications). I personally use medical editor to describe my role, and medical editing to describe both medical copyediting and medical proofreading, as this suggests a hybrid approach as per my own clients' preferences ... plus, it's simpler! See here for more detail on the traditional differences between proofreading and copyediting.

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