Onboarding and training Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. Many companies do not have the internal resources or the adequate time needed to fully onboard new MSLs. In fact, in a global survey, 72% of MSLs revealed that their initial onboard training consisted of only being given a set of journal articles related to the product or disease state for at-home self-study!
Over the last several years, with the input of numerous MSL leaders, the Medical Science Liaison Society developed and recently launched a new, fully IACET accredited, comprehensive training program to address the need for onboarding newly hired MSLs. The 3-part onboarding program consists of:
- Part 1 – Live Training
The program begins with a 5-day in-person training facilitated by multiple current MSL managers and Medical Affairs leaders. Participants will learn the essential soft skills needed to be successful and will be provided with comprehensive workbooks and relevant templates related to the topics covered. - Part 2 – Virtual Training
All participants are provided 1 year of access to 16 eLearning courses consisting of 35+ hours of foundational knowledge relevant to MSLs and others in Medical Affairs. Each course includes assessment questions throughout the course and a final assessment at the end to ensure information is retained. - Part 3 – Continuous Growth
All participants receive a 1-year professional level membership to the MSL Society which provides access to more than 225 original research reports, expert webinar recordings; 1-year enrollment in the MSL Mentor Program, and waived fees for the MSL certification (MSL-BC).
The pilot program for the 5-day live portion was conducted April 25th – 29th, 2022 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and included MSLs from 3 countries and 7 companies. Several of the participants and facilitators shared their perspectives regarding the new MSL onboarding program.
How does this Onboarding Training Program help increase the value of an MSL?
“MSLs are often required to onboard rapidly, demonstrating value back to the organization from day 1, yet many organizations focus on therapeutic training for the bulk of their onboarding program. Many times, this is a result of limited time and resources. Further, new teams or new team members are more often composed of first-time MSLs or MSLs with indirect experience.
Given the complexity and continuous evolution of the MSL role, new MSLs need additional foundational training to facilitate their understanding of how to begin executing their role at the beginning of a new position. These foundational skills include understanding the regulatory framework for MSLs, the basics of communication and insights gathering skills and breaking down the structure of a medical strategy with an overview of clinical research and publication fundamentals.
Additionally, the MSLS Onboarding training program offers deep content that will allow new MSLs to quickly build universal transferable competencies in areas highly relevant to the core MSL function which are gaining access to KOLs and maximize planning and time with them to deliver greater value through expanded analysis of scientific literature and gathering actionable and impactful medical insights. A broad array of topics are covered in this week-long extensive training program which will enhance the ability of new MSLs to confidently begin their MSL career.”
Facilitator
Cherie Hyder, PharmD, MSL-BC
Syndicated National MSL Director, Syneos Health
Facilitator
Linda Traylor, PhD, MSL-BC
Senior Principal, Medical Affairs, IQVIA
“The training provided me with context and clarity that I don’t think I otherwise would have received until after several months of experience in the MSL role. It also provided me with a few tools that I have immediately begun to use, which also would have taken me months, if not years of experience to develop on my own. In many ways I feel that the training has accelerated my development in the MSL role, allowing me to contribute more value to my team and external partners more quickly.”
Participant
Andrew J. Rennekamp, PhD
Medical Science Liaison, Seqirus
“The onboarding training program aims to give new MSLs a strong foundation of knowledge that can be applied to a plethora of MSL positions whether in big pharma, device, or diagnostics. This foundation is integral as many new MSLs will not know how to translate their talents into what is needed from an MSL at first. But, once the foundation is set the MSL can tailor what they have learned to their specific role and continue to grow within it. So, the Onboarding Training Program serves as a great way for MSLs to exponentially increase their value when they apply the foundational knowledge to their specific role.”
Participant
Brandon Young, PhD
Medical Science Liaison, Seqirus
“This Onboarding Training Program was incredibly useful for me as a new MSL! I learned so much about how to gather actionable insights, prepare for big congresses, develop good relationships with KOLs and evaluate a paper in depth. The only thing I wish is that I did this sooner because I have been an MSL for 8 months. Every new MSL should complete this course in their first few months!”
Participant
Dawn O Reilly, PhD, MMS, PA-C
Medical Science Liaison, Biodesix
How will this Onboarding Training Program increase the value of an MSL for the KOLs they support?
The landscape of KOL engagement has transformed in the last few years and KOLs have less time to meet with MSLs and there are greater numbers of MSLs trying to get their time. Knowing this, MSLs must be more strategic with planning for KOL engagement and in how they maximize time spent with them to focus on delivering value, particularly with regard to enhancing patient care outcomes.
The onboarding program addresses multiple aspects of KOL access challenges and provides tools to increase opportunities to engage. These include basics like writing optimal introductory email meeting requests, planning for strategic engagement with value-based data-driven agendas, and identifying key areas that KOLs expect MSLs to focus on when meeting with them. Attending the training program enhances MSL strategic focus on value-added areas with KOL engagement.
Facilitator
Cherie Hyder, PharmD, MSL-BC
Syndicated National MSL Director, Syneos Health
Facilitator
Linda Traylor, PhD, MSL-BC
Senior Principal, Medical Affairs, IQVIA
How do you think it helped that you and your colleagues are attending the same onboarding program?
“Attending with colleagues made the training more enjoyable for me. I got to know them better and actually see them in person. It was also nice to be able to discuss with them some of the unique aspects of our company that differ from standard norms, and how we might apply the things we were learning to our specific company’s context.”
Participant
Andrew J. Rennekamp, PhD
Medical Science Liaison, Seqirus
“Attending the Onboarding training with some of my coworkers was very helpful. We all were able to take different bits and pieces from the training and then reconvene at the end of the day to brainstorm how we could implement new strategies for our own company. I think having multiple eyes from the same company on the training is important because we all will have new and different ideas of how to use the training.”
Participant
Brandon Young, PhD
Medical Science Liaison, Seqirus
“I attended this program with my team. It was awesome! We were able to bond during it and align together with the trainings that we learned. We were able to discuss our own situations in our company and by utilizing the tips and knowledge shared with us from this Onboarding training, we could move forward. It was extremely helpful having us all there.”
Participant
Dawn O Reilly, PhD, MMS, PA-C
Medical Science Liaison, Biodesix
How did the facilitators help create a conductive learning environment for you to improve your skills as an MSL?
“I really enjoyed our instructors. They did their best to answer our questions even when they were far-fetched hypothetical scenarios. Every instructor was patient and was willing to adjust their teachings to the class’s pace. We spent more time on things like compliance because that is what a lot of the class had questions about.”
Participant
Brandon Young, PhD
Medical Science Liaison, Seqirus
“We had amazing facilitators. I really enjoyed getting to learn from MSLs that have been in the field for years. I think this was one of the most valuable things that MSL Society brought to the trainings because hearing their personal experiences were very helpful.”
Participant
Dawn O Reilly, PhD, MMS, PA-C
Medical Science Liaison, Biodesix
How would companies benefit from sending their new hire MSLs to this program?
“Time and resources are the most precious commodities for any organization. The MSLS has built the content of the onboarding program to focus on foundational, universal, and transferable skills training, allowing organizations to keep their time and resources focused on therapeutic area specific training. MSLs who attend the MSLS Onboarding program benefit from a more highly skilled MSL who can immediately utilize key learning to hone in on strategic objectives in their regions. This is an opportunity for organizations to take advantage of proven MSL skills training, giving their MSLs a significant advantage while maximizing their time and resources.
The MSLs attending this onboarding program leave with tools to continue building these foundational skills as well as a network of professionals that are invested in helping them succeed. Ultimately, MSLs armed with these tools for continuous learning will only strengthen their communication effectiveness allowing them to more confidently execute their new roles.”
Facilitator
Cherie Hyder, PharmD, MSL-BC
Syndicated National MSL Director, Syneos Health
Facilitator
Linda Traylor, PhD, MSL-BC
Senior Principal, Medical Affairs, IQVIA
What do you think will be the long-term benefit of participating in the Onboarding Training Program?
“Organizations who invest early in MSL skills training have a faster onboarding experience for their field teams with the ability to begin delivering value quickly. However, the long-term benefit is rooted in the continuous education component of the MSLS Onboarding program. MSLs graduating from the program leave with a set of tools and a network of professionals that give them an elevated trajectory of the MSL track with a value focus allowing them to advance in their competencies more rapidly and in some cases move ahead with a faster track to higher MSL capabilities, new positions and greater personal job satisfaction which may also translate into MSL retention.”
Facilitator
Cherie Hyder, PharmD, MSL-BC
Syndicated National MSL Director, Syneos Health
Facilitator
Linda Traylor, PhD, MSL-BC
Senior Principal, Medical Affairs, IQVIA
“By implementing best practices and good habits early on, I am laying a firm foundation on which I can build. I also have a good understanding now of what to look for in future MSL candidates that I may hire, and I have a number of ideas for future practices I hope to implement as an MSL manager.”
Participant
Andrew J. Rennekamp, PhD
Medical Science Liaison, Seqirus
“The strong foundation that the Onboarding Training Program provided will set the stage for my progression as an MSL. Specifically, learning how to interact with commercial colleagues so that our relationships are beneficial to one another, understanding how to create a plan to tackle conferences/congresses, and recognizing what insights are most important when speaking with a KOL. These pieces of training stood out to me the most and I believe will be the most beneficial to my future career.”
Participant
Brandon Young, PhD
Medical Science Liaison, Seqirus
“There are so many long-term benefits to training a new MSL through this Onboarding program! After this training, the new MSL can hit the ground running and understand the important things about being an MSL. All of the resources provided as follow-up and the live trainings provided are extremely valuable. Further, its so valuable to have all of the team aligned and understand fully the important parts of being an MSL and this Onboarding training does that for you. I have no doubt that when a company invests in this training for their new MSLs, it will pay off in the long run.”
Participant
Dawn O Reilly, PhD, MMS, PA-C
Medical Science Liaison, Biodesix
How would MSL leaders benefit from sending their new hire MSLs to this program?
“MSL leaders are tasked with assuring their teams are field ready and able to deliver value in alignment with core medical objectives as soon as possible in their new MSL roles. These leaders know that MSLs only get one chance to make a first impression with KOLs; being ready to deliver value to KOLs and the organization involves very specific knowledge and understanding of the MSL role in a way that allows them to execute in the field on day 1.
MSL leaders are less likely to need to coach and train new MSLs following investment in the MSLS Onboarding program. MSLS Onboarding graduates have a smoother transition into the new MSL role because they receive industry-focused training that some MSL leaders may not have time or be prepared to develop and deliver. Lastly, MSL leaders who outsource basic MSL training to a program like the MSLS Onboarding program have confidence in the field readiness of their team.”
Facilitator
Cherie Hyder, PharmD, MSL-BC
Syndicated National MSL Director, Syneos Health
Facilitator
Linda Traylor, PhD, MSL-BC
Senior Principal, Medical Affairs, IQVIA
About the author:
Samuel Dyer, MD, PhD
Dr. Samuel Dyer is the CEO of the Medical Science Liaison Society and has over 25 years of international MSL experience. During his career, he has managed MSL teams and operations in over sixty countries across the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand. He has facilitated the successful launch of pharmaceutical and medical device products for both Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies and small biotechnology companies.
Dr. Dyer has coached, interviewed, and reviewed the CVs of countless aspiring MSLs. His insights and guidance have resulted in hundreds of aspiring MSLs successfully breaking into their first roles.
While leading the MSL Society, he has conducted MSL training programs for over 75 pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies in more than 15 countries. Dr. Dyer has also written extensively on the Medical Science Liaison profession, including numerous published articles, benchmark studies, and reports. He has been the keynote speaker and moderated numerous international conferences on various MSL–related topics, including creating teams, management, MSL training, proper utilization of MSLs, global trends, and the KPIs and metrics used to measure MSL performance. Dr. Dyer has also served as a resource and consultant on several MSL–related projects for several organizations, including McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company.
Dr. Dyer has an MD from Washington University (Health & Science) School of Medicine, a PhD in Health Sciences from Touro University, a Master’s degree in Tropical Biology (where he studied in the Amazon) from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of the State of New York. Dr. Dyer also completed a certificate program for Executive Leadership and Strategy in Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology at the Harvard Business School.
Dr. Dyer is the author of the multi-award-winning and Amazon #1 Best Seller, The Medical Science Liaison Career Guide: How to Break into Your First Role (https://amzn.to/4aoYcZp). The book is the first and only step-by-step guide on how to break into the MSL profession and it has received multiple prestigious awards, including:
- 2024 Winner of the American Legacy Book Awards in the Business: Careers category.
- 2024 “Gold Award” Winner – Literary Titan Book Awards in the Career category.
- 2023 “Best Book” Winner – Pinnacle Book Achievement Award in the Career Development category.
He is also the author of the Medical Science Liaison Job Application Tracking & Interview Self-Evaluation Journal (https://amzn.to/49n6MGR).
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