A Consensus-Based Roadmap for MSL Key Performance Indicators Drawing on insights from Medical Affairs executives and experienced MSLs, we have developed a consensus-based model for MSL Key Performance Indicators. This framework is built upon a comprehensive analysis of research data, including perspectives from research partners, to establish an optimal approach to evaluating MSL roles over [...]
In part 3 of 3 on Navigating KOL Engagement Dynamics-KOL Categories by Phase, we present our third key insight from our KOL engagement strategy report. This article outlines categories of Thought Leader pharmaceutical companies engage during each phase of a product development lifecycle. Dominance of Specialists and Academics Across all studied regions, companies overwhelmingly prioritize [...]
In part 2 of 3 on Navigating KOL Engagement Dynamics-Activities by Phase, we present our second key insight from our KOL engagement strategy report. This article addresses the type of activity pharmaceutical companies seek from KOLs who possess specific experiences suited to support the activities of the pharmaceutical organization during particular times within a product [...]
In part 1 of 3 on Navigating KOL Engagement Dynamics-Influence Levels by Phase, we present our first key insight from our KOL engagement strategy report. This article addresses how pharmaceutical companies engage with KOLs possessing specific backgrounds suited to support the activities of the pharmaceutical organization during particular times within a product development lifecycle. The [...]
Often lost in the MSL training modules is the importance of mastering first impressions and ensuring this "art" is part of the Medical Science Liaison skills set. Did you know? Research indicates that most individuals form their initial impression of someone within a mere seven seconds.* Moreover, consider this: A recent study on website visitors [...]
The Medical Science Liaison performance assessment remains very difficult when using traditional hard metrics. There seems to be a movement to refine this process, as revealed in this study, but there is still much work to do. Everything points to the using the “quality of relationships” between an MSL and his/her thought leaders to assess [...]
We have often heard through our conversations with clients how Medical Affairs programs suffer from the “revolving door” disease, meaning that a significant contingent of MSLs don’t stick around for long periods at the organizations (yes, with an S…!) they work for. To some degree, this also applies to upper management roles. So, what are [...]
New Medical Science Liaisons come mostly, and unsurprisingly, from various areas of medical fields. We recently conducted surveys to learn about the prior profiles of new MSLs and whether they entered the industry as new MSLs or became MSL while working in pharma. As expected, and as the survey of 789 Medical Science Liaisons results [...]
We recently conducted research on how the pandemic has transformed the way Medical Science Liaisons interact with Thought Leaders, and findings show a fundamental shift in MSL-KOL interactions. In pre-pandemic times, the favored means of interaction by both MSLs and KOLs were the traditional in-person face-to-face meeting, followed by email, phone, and virtual platforms (remember [...]
Learning about KOL meeting preferred frequency with Medical Science Liaisons, that is when Thought Leaders can or want to meet MSLs, is an important component of building trust in the MSL-KOL relationships. Since most of the organizations’ field teams coordinate and set the pace for these interactions, it becomes increasingly important to understand what Thought [...]
