Working EMWA's development programme toward a certificate
EMWA's professional development programme combines workshops with assignments that earn credit toward foundation and advanced certificates. Workshop participation can also serve continuing development without a certificate as the goal.
Workshop levels and subjects
EMWA's professional development programme delivers training through workshops and homework assignments, with experienced workshop leaders and approval by the EMWA Professional Development Committee before a workshop runs at a conference. Workshops are offered at foundation and advanced levels across six subject areas: drug development, language and writing, medical communications, medical science, professional techniques and medical devices. Related subjects include statistics, health economics, cross-cultural communication and marketing.
The programme brochure on EMWA's website explains how to gain workshop credits and apply for a foundation or advanced certificate. Not every workshop is offered at every conference, so the brochure and conference listings should be checked when choosing training.
In early 2018, EMWA planned to add a medical-device track at its Barcelona conference alongside drug development and medical communications tracks; tracks could be combined rather than pursued exclusively.
Credits and certificate applications
A foundation or advanced certificate requires eight credits, earned by attending workshops and successfully completing the post-workshop assignments. Under the programme described in 2015, no more than four credits could be earned at one conference, so a certificate required at least two conferences; more could be needed when attending autumn conferences, which offered fewer workshops.
EMWA head office keeps records of the workshops members have attended and can advise what remains to be completed for a certificate. Members should consult the programme brochure and head office about whether their combination of workshop subjects meets the requirements.
Workshops can be taken without pursuing a certificate, including after a participant has already earned one. Foundation and advanced certificates have badges that can be displayed on LinkedIn profiles and websites.
Programme development and quality assurance
Members can suggest skills and topics for future training to the EMWA Professional Development Committee, and experienced writers can volunteer to help develop provision in their areas.
The committee uses workshop feedback for ongoing quality assurance. At the May 2024 Valencia conference, a pilot of QR-code feedback questionnaires covered 49 workshops with 694 participants and achieved an 80% response rate, while drastically reducing paper use.