BQ: Medical Writing Test (1)

Brief for Candidate

Introduction
This assessment will evaluate your ability to develop engaging educational scientific content, demonstrate
excellence in the use of the English language, grammar, attention to detail and interpretation of clinical data.
The test should take no longer than 2 hours to complete and should be no more than one page of text.

Instructions
You have been asked to write a short communication for a primary care audience based on the CAROLINA
trial (Cardiovascular Outcome Study of Linagliptin Versus Glimepiride in Patients With Type 2
Diabetes) You have been provided with the publication of the CAROLINA study that assessed the
cardiovascular outcomes of linagliptin compared to glimepiride (sulfonylurea) in patients with relatively early
type 2 diabetes and risk factors for established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Rosenstock J, Kahn SE, Johansen OE, et al. Effect of Linagliptin vs Glimepiride on Major Adverse
Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: The CAROLINA Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA. 2019 Sep 19. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.13772.

Rosenstock_2019.p
df

Please summarize the key findings of the study and possible implications of the cardiovascular safety of
sulfonylureas within one page. The document should be scientifically robust, credible and engaging. Please try
to integrate the answers to the following three key questions that are likely to be of interest to the reader:
1. What is the effect of linagliptin compared with glimepiride on major cardiovascular events in patients
with relatively early type 2 diabetes and elevated cardiovascular risk?
2. Why might it be a surprise that CAROLINA  trial put to rest the ongoing debate on the cardiovascular
safety of sulfonylureas?
3. How and Why CAROLINA differs from other cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs)?
Please use the following text format for your short communication: font – Arial; font size – 11; line spacing –
1.1 lines.

What we’re looking for

This is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your writing ability, from both a scientific and an English language
perspective. In particular, we are looking for you to be able to develop informative, concise, engaging and
accurate educational scientific content. In addition, we want you to demonstrate your scientific understanding
by incorporating the answers to three questions that address the clinical implications of the study.

Thank you and good luck!