The iPad: How MSLs Use It to Deliver Science and Data to HCPs

Best Practices LLC's study identifies the best practices and measures effectiveness for successful deployment of iPads to Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs). This study investigates how Medical Affairs functions in pharmaceutical companies are using iPads with their MSLs.

This is a 2014 published report. Click here to get updated insights from our 2017 report.

Study Snapshot

This study engaged 25 leaders from 18 companies; all participants share leadership and oversight of Medical Science Liaison (MSL) groups at their companies.

Key topics include:

• Training
• Content Delivery and Usage
• Syncing Tablets with CRM Systems
• Security and Compliance Concerns
• Measuring Effectiveness
• Challenges and Best Practices

• Companies should develop a content management strategy prior to device deployment. About 50% of respondents faced barriers related to content development and availability after roll-out to MSLs. Some of the top vendors that create software/applications/content: Veeva, OpenQ, Steeprock and Box.
• Presentation quality is vital to success in using iPads. 33% of the respondents which achieved ROI noted data presentation as a key factor.
• While 92% of MSLs used iPads to present data to KOLs, only 12% receive training on presentation skills. Reducing this gap should have improve the effectiveness of MSL presentations.

• The training format used can play a crucial role in shaping the call quality that MSLs will have when using the iPads. 27% of participants that reported great improvement in call quality employed a combination of live-in-class and home study. Other companies mainly used distance learning.

• Research Overview
• Participating Companies
• High-level Findings & Insights
• Universe of Learning
• Training
• Content Delivery and Usage
• Syncing Tablets with CRM Systems
• Security and Compliance Concerns
• Measuring Effectiveness
• Challenges and Best Practices
• About Best Practices, LLC

• Technological Set-Up used by MSL
• MSL to use One device on streamlining in the future
• What device used by MSL's for deploying
• Which department trained for deploying iPad/ Android-Based Tablets for MSL's?
• What type of training used by the organization when distributing new iPad/ Android-Based Tablets?
• Training program duration for iPad/ Android-Based Tablets usage
• Training standarization for MSL's
• Customized training programs
• Training formats used to educate about the devices
• Software and application creation responsibility
• Activites performed by MSL teams
• Integration with CRM on iPad/ Android-Based Tablets
• CRM Integration to MSL's
• Integration of CLM on iPad/ Android-Based Tablets
• Security planning and procedure
• KPI's used to measure iPad/ Android-Based Tablets for MSL teams
• Changes in KPI performance since deploying iPad/ Android-Based Tablets to MSL's
• Effectiveness of iPad v/s other media
• Changes in call quality since deploying iPad/ Android-Based Tablets
• Physician/ KOL demographic engagement with regards to the use of iPad/ Android-Based Tablets
• Effectiveness of using iPad/ Android-Based Tablets on various MSL activities
• ROI on iPad/ Android-Based Tablets for MSL's
• Top three challenges while deploying iPad/ Android-Based Tablets to MSL's within the organization
• Top three changes to making iPad/ Android-Based Tablets deploying a successful investment