A concise, clearly written, readable user guide can mean the difference between a successful, happy customer and a frustrated, angry, or even endangered one. This audio conference approaches readability in medical-device documentation from two directions. First, our speaker explains how to achieve the reading level required by the FDA, providing attendees with the tools for measuring the reading level and adjusting it editorially. Second, she offers a variety of methods for increasing conciseness and simplicity in medical writing, which can be applied to any level of complexity to improve readability. The presentation also reviews graphical aspects that improve readability, such as the proper use of white space, leading, lists, and sidebars. Throughout the conference, the speaker uses specific examples from her own work and cites the relevant FDA guidance documents.

This audio conference covers:

• How to measure the reading level of text
• Ways to reduce that level, if necessary, to meet FDA requirements
• What an imprecisely worded sentence could mean for a patient
• Editorial tools to make your writing simpler and more concise
• Various design elements of documentation that can help improve readability

About the speaker:

Cynthia M. Shaler is celebrating her first successful quarter century as an entrepreneur and multi-award-winning technical editor, designer, and medical writer. Before starting her consulting business, she worked for 15 years as an editor, writer, and production manager, both freelance and for companies in and around the Boston area. She is a graduate of Vassar College and the Radcliffe Publishing Procedures Course. Cindy is also a member of the Society for Technical Communication, the American Medical Writers Association, the Editorial Freelancers Association, and the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County, and serves on the Advisory Board of TRA360. In her spare time she reads voraciously, volunteers her professional services to two local organizations, and serves as a live audio-describer for the visually impaired in theaters.

Who should attend?

• Medical Writers
• Medical Editors
• Technical Writers
• Technical Editors
• Documentation Managers
• Project Managers
• Product Managers