Giving Your Health Content Writing A Human Tone

The Dreaded Editorial Note

Every writer has received a similar editorial note that hits like a little dagger to the heart. “Great information, but it reads like a book report. Can you make it more human?” This note is, unfortunately, a pretty common one when it comes to health content writing. Some writers may confuse the note with the editor thinking they are using AI. That isn’t necessarily the case. The comment often relates to the process of translating complex health information. It’s a skilled practice that requires understanding the craft. The good news is that writing health content with a more human tone is a learnable skill.

What Editors Usually Want

When you get the ‘more human’ request, you may wonder what exactly the editor is looking for. Medical information is usually quite formal with a language of its own, which is why it’s important for writers to know how to translate complex terminology. Medical jargon is complicated, often doesn’t make sense to the average reader, and can lead to confusion. Simplifying this language makes the health content relatable, and the reader will have an easier time connecting with the writing. However, simply replacing jargon with plain language is not enough; the writing must also maintain a relatable voice.

The human voice is, in essence, the narrator that the reader can identify. This voice makes the health content more engaging. Often, early drafts may fail to strike the right tone or find a human voice if the writer focuses only on clarifying medical jargon. They fail to add a narrative voice and end up with the 'make it more human' comment. Reading the article out loud can help you check if the writing feels accessible. If it sounds like Wikipedia or a book report, you aren’t relatable to your audience.

Equally important is remembering that you are writing for people who are often deeply invested in the health information. They may have a personal concern, worry about a new diagnosis for a child, or be trying to understand what a doctor told them about a parent. By acknowledging the emotional realities of the health topics for your reader and ensuring your details are straightforward and direct, your writing avoids vague abstract narratives. This aids in creating a stronger connection with the reader.

The Nurse Advantage of Writing In A Human Tone

Nurses have an advantage when it comes to writing in a human, empathetic voice. This is because their daily work centers on the human touch, a core aspect of nursing. Nurses see patients at their most vulnerable - during times of stress and grief, when they are confused or scared. Communicating complex health information during those times helps shape nurses into strong patient-centered communicators. So it’s no wonder their writing naturally focuses on the reader’s experience. Patients can feel that care in the writing.

Sounding Human Without Losing Accuracy

The ingrained human tone nurses bring to their health writing is an acquirable skill. Here are some health content editing tips you can use:

• Ground the work in reality. Start with a real question someone has asked, or a real moment a patient has experienced.

• Use second-person language (you) to speak directly to the reader’s needs and encourage their actions.

• Replace vague language with specifics, such as specific numbers and comparisons.

• Use patient scenarios to help anchor and clarify more abstract clinical information.

• Avoid false confidence. No one expects perfection. When you acknowledge uncertainties, you sound more realistic.

Balancing Humanity With Becoming Too Casual

There is always the risk that your human content will become too casual, and an overly casual tone won't work for many audiences. They may feel the information is dumbed down and too simple. There is a difference between keeping health writing patient-centered and accessible, and oversimplifying it. Know your audience - whether a general wellness reader, a patient, or a healthcare provider, they will all have differing levels of accessibility to understanding the work. When you key in on this, it will help you to strike the right balance with your voice.

Learning the craft of creating medical content with a human voice is an essential skill for any health writer. Understanding clinical empathy helps you acknowledge the emotional reality while maintaining accuracy. Conveying warmth through the prose gives the audience a narrator they will more readily connect to. As a nurse writer, I bring this skill to every project. Ready to make your health content more impactful and engaging? Contact me now to discuss how I can humanize your next project.