For March, most of the scheduled face to face meetings are being converted to virtual interactions. Most as either done via telephone or video. However in April as HCPs are continuing to be inundated the number of engagements are down dramatically (10-25% of what they were in March). The results indicate that MSL managers may be slightly underestimating the impact this has had on access. While both MSL and their managers agree that 2/3 of interactions have been significantly decreased a higher percentage of MSLs (44% vs. 31%) believe that their access has been decreased by 50-75%. A close eye should be kept on whether the actual reality in field is being understood by leadership. It is something to keep a close eye in subsequent surveys.
My experience so far is that up to 80% of the prescheduled interactions in March were converted to virtual or phone interactions. In April so far the ability to set up new interactions has been very limited. I would say our new appointments are about 10-20% of what they were in a similar month. This does vary greatly by therapeutic area; in virology, all of the KOLs are on the front line, so interactions are less. There is a 70% acceptance of new appointments (women’s health). Some practices are starting to shut down and furlough their employees as well.
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