Medical education and communications: an agency overview

Mike Gazeley Director of Training and Consultancy

KnowledgePoint 360 Group

Why do MCE agencies exist?

To help the pharmaceutical industry effectively educate healthcare professionals about their products and services

Assist in provision and maintenance of professional education to the healthcare industry

Ensure highest ethical standards are maintained in provision of medical education to the healthcare industry

What services do MCE agencies offer?

PatientEducation

Internalcommunication

& training

Publication strategy and

planning

Congress & meeting

management

Branding and positioning

Communication strategy and

planning

E-healthcaresolutions

Strategicdevelopment consultancyPhysician

EducationProgrammes

Regulatory

Promotional Scientific

Our key pharma contacts

Product/brand managers responsible for product marketing strategy

Medical managers responsible for clinical and regulatory strategy

Clinical scientists responsible for design and conduct of clinical trials

Other contacts Economists

responsible for pharmacoeconomic assessments Corporate

responsible for company image

Their goals

Maximise sales

Maximise product lifecycle

Demonstrate medical and marketing competence

Protect credibility

Be successful!

How can agencies help?

Listen

Interpret and propose solutions

Confirm

Act quickly and decisively

Communicate regularly - even bad news!

Deliver on-time and to expectations

Typical agency jobs?

Account/Project management Project organization and schedule management financial management progress and status updates

Client and business services client management business development proposal and service agreement negotiations

Medical & Scientific Services scientific consultancy and advice medical writing Thought leader and client liaison

Typical entry requirements

Scientific qualification Life-science PhD or PharmD preferred for M&SS

Writing ability Medical writing test required for M&SS job roles

Good communicatorOrganized and good time managementMultitasking abilityTeam playerPositive attitude

Typical M&SS structure

Operations Manager

Team Leader

Principal MW

Senior MW

Medical Writer

Associate MW

Senior Scientific Director

Scientific Director

Associate Scientific Director

What is an AMW?

Associate (trainee) Medical Writer: First step on medical writing ladder Work under close supervision of SMW/PW/TL Undertake foundation training programme

Expectations: Write high quality, scientifically accurate copy that

consistently meets communication objectives, regulatory, styling and audience requirements

Assessment: Set objectives and annual review Coaching and continual on-the-job assessment Formal assessment every 6 months

Agency medical writing

What’s it like?

From first impressions…to

What is all this jargon?

Clients, thought leaders, briefs, outlines, procedures, timesheets…

What if I don’t have any particular therapeutic area experience?

Don’t panic – lots of us didn’t when we started!

What is expected of me?

Job description, objective setting, appraisals

…gaining experience…and

Writing, writing and writing…abstractsposterspapersslidesnewslettersexhibition panels…

…the list goes on!

…getting out and about!

Prostate cancer stand aloneGreece

2005

Satellite symposiumFrance2003

Advisory boardItaly2006

Oncology franchise stand aloneBrazil2001

Learning to…

Prepare communication and publication plans

Work with medical experts and clients

Present ideas, proposals and pitches

Manage a team

…and progressing

How fast? it’s up to you!

Assessment? absolutely!

Support? managers, senior staff, training

Opportunity? You bet!

competitive industry, experience valued freelance and home/remote working opportunities have laptop, can travel!

A rewarding career

For sure!Applying science background to ‘something a bit different’

Working with international clients and experts

Pressure and rewards of events, completing projects

Travelling

Opportunities for creativity

Identifying opportunities for improvements and/or new business

Learning from and mentoring others

Variety

So….consider medical writing if you like…

Scientific rigour

The challenge of service excellence (the hard bit!)

Language

Teamwork

Finding solutions

Being creative

Computers and tech

Being organised

Commercial application

Related career options

Commissioning editors

Managing editors

Health analysts

Pharma company publications and communication managers

Medical information

Copy editing