Welcome back, MSL Journal Readers! As we move into the summer season, I am delighted to share this latest online edition of The MSL Journal – a collection of insights, practical strategies, and perspectives designed to support excellence in the evolving Medical Science Liaison role and, more broadly, the medical affairs profession. The role of the MSL continues to expand … [Read more...]
Letter from the Editor
Dear Readers, The Future of Medical Science Liaisons is in Harnessing AI and Technology for Deeper Scientific Impact! As the landscape of Medical Affairs continues to evolve at an extraordinary pace, the role of the MSL has never been more dynamic or more critical to support organizational, KOL and patient needs. This edition of The MSL Journal includes an array of amazing … [Read more...]
Conference Proceedings: Empowering MSLs in Transition – Strategy, Identity, and Tools for Reinvention
The 13th Annual MSL Society Conference was held in Miami, Florida, from October 13–14, 2025, and included a workshop addressing career transitions for Medical Science Liaisons amid significant pharmaceutical workforce disruptions. With 128 layoff rounds reported in the first half of 2025—an increase of approximately 32 percent year over year (1)—the session provided practical … [Read more...]
Letter from Editor
Dear Readers: Thank you for your steadfast connection to your professional Medical Affairs community through reading, supporting, and contributing to The MSL Journal. Your investment in learning, growing, and developing, as well as giving back to others through sharing your articles, makes this publication so valuable in an era where showing value is vital now more than … [Read more...]
Letter from Editor
Dear readers, Last week we celebrated the 6th anniversary of the International MSL Day recognizing all of YOU and the amazing achievements from field MSL engagement and activities that ultimately support patient needs and better care! THANK YOU to each of you for your dedication, energy, efforts and tireless will to make a difference in the lives of all patients waiting … [Read more...]
Letter from Editor
Welcome back Readers! Fall is upon us and we are quickly closing in on holidays that will guide us into winter and perhaps some down time to relax and reflect on what 2024 has brought us! While we are winding down the year, we continue to keep pace with many activities in our field medical roles and this busy time should also lead us to consider how we spend our valuable time … [Read more...]
Letter from Editor
Hello Readers! Welcome to summer heat, vacation plans, and getting outdoors to enjoy the not-so-lazy summer days! This journal edition is jam-packed with a broad array of topics to entertain and inform as you find time to lay back in a hammock, swing, or beach chair! We are at the midway point in 2024, a year of change where we may not know where the road leads, but … [Read more...]
Take a Journalistic Approach to Gather Insightful Stories!
You jump into KOL scientific exchange with enthusiasm, but after a few attempts, you’re feeling a bit disappointed that the insights and patient experience stories are not coming forth…. You chat with KOLs and they give you just one or two-word answers, they just don’t seem to have anything interesting to say… Or you ask a group in your clinical presentation to share … [Read more...]
Letter from the Editor
Hello MSL Journal Readers! Welcome to another journal edition, hot off the press and ready for your reading enjoyment! We begin 2024 with a sense of renewal, leaning into changes in our medical affairs industry and knowing how vital it is to show up each day, delivering value to support enhancing patient care and outcomes. Writing this letter to all of you on Leap Day – … [Read more...]
Harnessing the Power of AI and Machine Learning to Develop Future Medical Affairs Leaders
BACKGROUND At Syneos Health® we believe that our people are our greatest asset. One of our approaches to nurturing a growing leadership community within our organization is to commit to the professional development and growth of our talented internal stakeholders. As part of our ongoing journey to build a culture of excellence within our Medical Affairs organization, our … [Read more...]
How MSL Candidates Can Use the Engineering Design Process and ChatGPT to Prepare for Clinical Paper Presentations
Introduction Medical Science Liaisons typically need to prepare and deliver a presentation on a clinical article as part of the interview process for new roles. When seeking new opportunities, it might be necessary to prepare several such presentations for different companies over a short period during an active job search. Commonly, one may have a week or less to prepare … [Read more...]
How to Manage Objections in KOL Interactions to Enhance Insights and Elevate Relationship Development
Introduction When facing objections in thought leader engagement, it is time to ask strategic questions to go beyond the surface-level opinions and guide the conversation to new understanding. Objection handling represents an opportunity to strengthen relationships, establish credibility, and be a resource to help solve problems, provide additional information to further … [Read more...]
Letter from Editor
Welcome to the Fall edition of The MSL Journal! Fall is my favorite time of year as you begin to feel the crisp chill of weather changing, leaves crunching beneath your feet, and smell wood burning in fireplaces and outdoor fire pits! It is finally time for the s’mores! This edition is incredibly full of amazing insights, tips, and novel ideas covering areas of top interest … [Read more...]
Letter from the Editor
Welcome to another quarterly edition of The MSL Journal! This one is packed with a variety of stimulating and informative content! Medical Affairs is in the midst of evolution that is taking this role toward greater strategic focus, more specialization and enhanced use of digital technologies. Change is necessary for growth, and it is in these times that we stretch and find new … [Read more...]
Leveraging Web 3.0 Metaverse Capabilities for Medical Affairs Training
Syneos Health® worked to integrate certain aspects of the metaverse to create a new and immersive experience for the end-user, resulting in enhanced medical science liaison (MSL) training in an engaging environment. In the Spring 2023 issue of the Journal of the MSL Society we presented positive results of our initial pilot program that integrated a few aspects of the … [Read more...]
The Science and Art of Medicine: How MSLs Bridge the Gap to Improve Patient Access and Care
MSLs play a critical role in the Pharmaceutical Industry Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) are a vital link between the science and art of medicine. They work with healthcare providers (HCPs) to understand the needs of patients and then bring that knowledge back to pharmaceutical companies to help develop and market new drugs that are essential to advance patient care. MSLs are … [Read more...]
Your Role in Creating a Culture of Excellence
Work culture is the collective behavior we rely on to drive performance across an organization. Culture, including interactions and perceptions about what it’s like to work somewhere, is extremely important for both current and prospective employees. Recent surveys on work culture indicate nearly 90% view a healthy, positive work culture as vital for success. (1) Culture … [Read more...]
Letter From Editor
Dear Readers, Can anyone believe we are already beginning March? Time is going by way too fast! As we work at an ever faster pace, it is vital to prioritize efforts, particularly your best way to manage work and life activities. Move towards a pace that has endurance; I call this my marathon pace! For all the runners, you know what I mean! When you find the pace that can … [Read more...]