MEDICAL AFFAIRS IMPROVES PATIENT OUTCOMES THROUGH EXTERNAL MEDICAL EDUCATION

ABSTRACT

In the Medical Affairs Professional Society (MAPS) community, external medical education can be categorized based on the extent of influence and industry involvement; however, it should always have the ultimate goal of optimizing patient care and improving health outcomes. Medical Affairs (MA) professionals take the lead to reach this goal by establishing external education programs to address knowledge, competency, or performance gaps. Educational strategies are implemented while fully complying with all applicable laws and codes and considering variables such as regional differences. External medical education demands are continuously evolving, and MA needs to continue to evolve with these changes to establish effective education strategies. Furthermore, the swift change to virtual education platforms due to the current COVID-19 pandemic requires speed and agility across stakeholders. The adaptation of medical education tactics will ensure effective healthcare professional (HCP) education, which will ultimately lead to the improvement of patients’ healthcare.

INTRODUCTION The central mission of external medical education is to provide unbiased education to enhance healthcare professionals’ (HCP) knowledge, skills and competencies to improve patient outcomes. But what role do Medical Affairs (MA) professionals have in its creation and dissemination? The following article provides a brief overview of external medical education and gives insight into the integral role of MA professionals. WHAT IS EXTERNAL MEDICAL EDUCATION? External medical education can be defined as diverse educational approaches provided to various stakeholders, such as HCPs, payers, patients, and caregivers, through education initiatives that aim to address identified knowledge, competency, or performance gaps. Medical education may address therapy area and disease education gaps through scientific conferences, company-led education, continuing medical education (CME) grants and fellowships, or diverse collaboration with scientific and patient advocacy societies

THE PATIENT FOCUS OF EXTERNAL MEDICAL EDUCATION In its simplest terms, the primary goal that unites the entire industry across its MA functions is better patient care. In a systematic literature review of 39 studies, Marinopoulos et al. showed that independent medical education was indeed effective in improving the clinical outcomes of patients1. This was supported by Cervero and Gaines, who found that CME improves physician performance and clinical outcomes. MA professionals play a major role in the education needed to improve physician performance and patient outcomes. Based on their insights from diverse channels, they identify knowledge and competency gaps, and unmet medical needs. These can be addressed and translated into education for all stakeholders. MA professionals communicate and disseminate fair-balanced information that is important in guiding relevant strategies or tactics; however, their exact role varies depending on the level of independence of the approach and the extent of direct involvement, policies, and compliance requirements.