Medical Writing vs. Academic Writing: What’s the Difference? Medical writing and academic writing are two distinct forms of professional writing used for different purposes and audiences. While both are used to communicate information, there are some key differences between the two that set them apart. Understanding these differences is important for writers who work in the fields of medicine and academia, as well as for anyone who needs to distinguish between the two or is considering a career change.   Medical Writing: The Purpose Medical writing is used to communicate information about health and medicine to a general audience. This audience can