As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the activities of MSLs including how they engage with KOLs and other healthcare providers is quickly evolving. The MSL Society worked with its Advisory Board to create a comprehensive survey to gain insights into how the current COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the activities of Medical Science Liaisons globally including working virtually … [Read more...]
Has COVID-19 specifically reduced Interviewing for vacant MSL positions? Has COVID-19 specifically reduced Hiring new MSLs for your team?
An important aspect of this survey was to capture how the COVID-19 international pandemic has impacted interviewing and hiring of MSLs during an early phase (March 24-30, 2020). These survey questions captured the feedback from MSL Managers and Executives based on responses to 2 key questions: Has COVID-19 specifically reduced Interviewing for vacant MSL positions? Has … [Read more...]
Has all interviewing/hiring for all vacant MSL positions on your team been temporarily halted as a result of COVID-19?
The MSL Activities During the COVID-19 Pandemic Survey has proven to be an incredible resource to many of us, as we begin to better understand the impact the pandemic has on the MSL profession, the expectations from HCP’s and ultimately the direct impact on how MSLs are quickly adopting new ways of working in this “new normal”. An area within the survey results that I found … [Read more...]
How have MSLs found additional ways/opportunities to support KOLs and/or other healthcare providers?
When asked how the MSL found ways to support their KOLs and HCPs, survey participants predominantly indicated that they have prioritized extending offers of support, appreciation, and compassion focused on the human aspect to their contacts and KOLs. Participants have designated texting as an easier method of staying connected although email and varied virtual platforms have … [Read more...]
Do you think there will be any permanent long-term impact or changes to the MSL profession as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Results are totally divided between those who believe there will be permanent changes and those who do not expect changes, along with those who are not yet sure. The survey results clearly reflect the situation in which our profession is currently immersed. From my point of view, whether we like it or not, the current restrictions are going to have an impact on our day to … [Read more...]
Has the information you received regarding the impact of COVID-19 on your company, been timely, transparent, and clear?
The Global MSL survey has been similar in responses for the US as well with an approximate total of 90% yes and 11% no regarding timely, transparent and clear information being communicated about the impact of COVID-19 on the company. Many of my colleagues have the same response, and I think our industry and our company have done a tremendous job in being transparent, … [Read more...]
As a result of COVID-19, are you worried about your job security?
The survey has shown a bit of anxiety on our job security. Like other industries, laying off people has been the norm due to the pandemic. Many are worried about losing their jobs. Globally, 46% of all MSLs surveyed are concerned about job security, 37% are not and 16% are not sure. Whereas, about 50% of MSL managers were not worried at all. It is human nature to feel the … [Read more...]
As a result of COVID-19, and the need for virtual engagements with a KOL, are there additional training topics that would be beneficial?
The primary purpose of the MSL Activities During the COVID-19 Pandemic global survey was to gain insights into how the current pandemic is impacting the activities of Medical Science Liaisons globally including working virtually and engaging with KOLs. One of the benefits from the results is to not only understand how other companies and MSL teams are dealing with the pandemic, … [Read more...]
What tactics have worked for you to obtain virtual engagements with a KOL or other healthcare providers?
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, MSLs are embracing virtual technology to keep in touch with their KOLs. This article will review the tactics MSLs reported using to successfully obtain virtual engagements. At the time of the survey, many MSLs were converting planned face to face interactions to virtual meetings. However, MSLs were finding it more difficult to set up … [Read more...]
As a result of COVID 19 are you getting less time on average during a virtual KOL engagement versus your typical in person meetings?
The answer to this question depends on what type of in person meeting I had planned. For instance, when I am seeing a KOL during the middle of a busy clinic day I am likely to get less time together – maybe 15-20 minutes! If I had a dinner meeting planned, in all likelihood I would have met for at least 2-3 hours! The survey results indicate that 46% are having meetings … [Read more...]
What virtual technologies are your organization using for communicating with and or engaging with KOLs and or other HCPs?
52% of responses to the survey indicate use of ZOOM with 48% responding that they use Webex. Both are excellent web meeting platforms! We are primarily using ZOOM for web meetings with KOLs / HCP at Biohaven and the field sales team is also using ZOOM virtual meetings. As we made this quick adjustment from in person to virtual meetings, one aspect that was really useful is … [Read more...]
Select the THREE (3) alternative activities / projects you spend the most time on as a result of travel restrictions/bans and reduced KOL engagements?
Widespread physical distancing measures have been implemented in response to the coronavirus pandemic. These measures obviously have a drastic impact on the daily life of many people around the world. Prior to any orders to shelter in place, restrictions on travel and visitation to healthcare facilities forced many MSLs to change their standard operating procedures due to the … [Read more...]
Does your company allow MSLs to share/project a journal article etc. via virtual meeting platforms such as WebEx, Zoom, etc., if appropriate for the meeting?
Distribution or sharing of peer reviewed scientific/clinical journal publications with Medical Experts is typically subject to each pharma company’s legal advisors and interpretation of guidance documents (i.e.: “Guidance for Industry Distributing Scientific and Medical Publications on Unapproved New Uses —Recommended Practices). In the current US survey, a slight … [Read more...]
Have all or some KPIs and metrics been paused as a result of COVID-19?
Yes, the day to day, and monthly expectations for MSL engagement and insight gathering metrics have been paused. MSLs continue to work to engage with HCPs virtually via e-mail, phone, and WebEx platforms, but the focus has shifted to support and encouragement first, rather than scientific exchange. Virtual advisory boards, HCP survey question feedback via e-mail, and some … [Read more...]
Has the MSL team been provided with adequate and specific training to effectively conduct virtual KOL engagement meetings and interactions?
Yes, MSLs have been encouraged to take this time to work on interpersonal skills training, business acumen, team journal clubs, and scientific material development. Within the business acumen umbrella, focus has turned to ensuring that MSLs have skills in leading virtual calls, contributing as a virtual team member, facing virtual meeting challenges, and improving listening … [Read more...]
What alternative activities and projects are/should MSLs be focusing on as a result of travel restrictions/bans and reduced KOL engagements?
Opportunities to Upskill All MSLs have personal and professional growth goals. Whether your company provides training, or you have to seek it out yourself, take the opportunity during the restricted travel for self-improvement. Those books you wanted to read, the soft skills you needed to hone, the therapeutic area refreshers, online courses for new subjects you wanted to … [Read more...]
When you have a virtual engagement with a KOL or other healthcare providers, how long do they typically last?
Overall virtual engagement time has been significantly reduced. Almost 60% of MSLs say that their time has been 75% or great reduced. Only 20% say that their time has been reduced less than 50%. This presents a huge change in how we engage our HCPs. We must think about how we can be more succinct and still deliver meaningful content to ensure appropriate scientific exchange. … [Read more...]
Overall, what percentage of KOL engagement or access (phone, virtual, in-person) has been REDUCED as a result of COVID-19?
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 … [Read more...]
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