The Top 3 Competencies MSL Leaders Say They Need in the Field

The evolution of the role of the medical science liaison (MSL) has been in tandem with the shift in the pharmaceutical market. Expansion of key stakeholders, digitization providing more insights and the increasing complexity of therapeutics and precision medicine require a specific and unique skill set. Competencies that match the needs of the changing role to drive the delivery of value should be the basis of enhancing an MSL’s performance. In a recent paper published in The MSL Journal, we discussed establishing methods to evaluate an MSL. We also detail the results of the interactive workshop “Evaluating MSL Performance and Advocating for a Promotion” we hosted at the MSL Society 2022 annual conference, where attendees were asked to identify which competency areas are most vital in today’s MSL field medical role.

The top three competencies for MSLs were:

• Presentation skills
• Strategic focus
• Adaptability

Due to their “soft skill” nature and subjectivity, measuring these areas poses a challenge for field team leaders. Read our blog to learn how our teams utilize a competency framework with definitions, stratified levels, and integration of competencies to guide the evaluation of MSL performance.

Read the full blog here: The Top 3 Competencies MSL Leaders Say They Need in the Field

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