Professional Diploma in Medical Journalism

Journalism is a style of collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminating the information, consisting of facts, on occurrences with little attempt of interpretation. Journalism is an idea which gives the public a balanced and objective view. Journalism is about explaining things that everyone can understand.

There has been a significant growth of biomedical knowledge over last few years. The developing interest of the public into health related information and its latest development has resulted in continuous demand for good writing that can understand scientific stories and convey them in an interesting way and to facilitate the flow and dispersion of relevant medical research information to the public and to bridge the gap between the wealth of expanding information and the quality of public health.

Medical journalism is the dissemination of health and medical stories and health related topics in mass media. It targets the public at large, rather than specific professional groups, by providing health related information through mainstream media outlets. Medical and health related topics are exciting and diversified and are widely reported, as these topics influence awareness, attitudes and intentions but may also contribute to change in behavior, health care utilization, clinical practices and health policies. A career in medical journalism offers a rewarding opportunity to delve any number of carping contemporary concerns from medical, social and environmental policies.

At James Lind Institute, we offer an Professional Diploma in Medical Journalism (PDMJ) that prepares students to have sharp and specific media skills to write and produce powerful stories about health and medical issues. Professional Diploma in Medical Journalism (PDMJ) follows a media neutral approach and is designed to teach skills needed to work as a practicing medical journalist. It is dedicated to provide students with better understanding of medicine and science and to recognize, investigate, analyze and narrate scientific and medical findings, issues and concerns, focusing on the untangling of complexities and controversies for a lay audience worldwide. Our program, Professional Diploma in Medical Journalism (PDMJ) helps students to enter this profession with strong foundation in medical journalism and narrative techniques, serving a growing public need for specialized information.

MODULE 01: INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL JOURNALISM
MODULE 02: BARRIERS, FACTS & FICTION IN MEDICAL JOURNALISM
MODULE 03: OBSERVATION, EVIDENCE, INTERPRETATION & PERSUASION
MODULE 04: COMMON ERRORS IN MEDICAL REPORTING
MODULE 05: CRITICAL MEDICAL JOURNALISM AND CHALLENGING ISSUES
MODULE 06: USE OF TECHNOLOGY AND MAKING EFFECTIVE PRESENTATIONS
MODULE 07: PUBLISHING PAPERS IN JOURNALS / PUBLICATION WRITING
MODULE 08: PREPARATION OF THESIS / DISSERTATION
MODULE 09: COMPUTER SKILLS
MODULE 10: SENTENCE CONTROL
MODULE 11: WRITING FLOW AND COHESIVENESS

TOTAL CREDITS: 18

MODE OF STUDY: ONLINE

The curriculum for the program - Professional Diploma in Medical Journalism (PDMJ) is extensive, has been developed and evaluated by experienced industry professionals. This program is suitable for new graduates seeking a career in medical journalism, working professionals who wish to grow further in their journalism career, and those who wish to make a move to the medical journalism domain from any other related industry.

Course assessment involves online multiple choice questions for each lecture, followed by assignments for each study module.

Overall academic performance in the program is measured on a 4 point Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) scale. More information about this is available here: Evaluation System

The minimum eligibility criteria for Professional Diploma in Medical Journalism (PDMJ) would include either of the following:

- Any degree in Bioscience/Life Sciences such as Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Biotechnology, Botany, Zoology etc
- Any degree in Medicine such as MBBS, BDS, BPT, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS etc
- Any degree in Pharmacy / Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Any degree in Chemistry / Biostatistics / Bioinformatics
- Any degree in Nursing / Allied Health.
- Any degree in English Language
- Any degree in mass communication or journalism
- Students in their final year of graduation for the above courses are also eligible to apply.

Candidates without any science background or candidates with some work experience in writing / journalism / allied areas may also be eligible for this program. Please check with our counsellors for more information.

Throughout the course, the students can interact with the faculty and other students via the e-Campus to discuss any coursework related issues.

Each student enrolled in the Professional Diploma in Medical Journalism Course (PDMJ) is also assigned a mentor throughout the course who will be a senior professional from the industry. Towards the end of the program you will be provided placement assistance if required and career development support via the “Student Success Team”.