Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) – Not ALL Medical Affairs Roles are MSLs

Many times when I meet for an initial consultation with a physician (get your free consultation by signing up here!) she/he has discounted Medical Affairs as a potential role because of the misunderstanding that Medical Affairs is synonymous with Medical Science Liaison (MSL). 

MSLs are but ONE type of Medical Affairs role.

Medical Affairs encompasses an entire function in an organization that includes Med Affairs Directors, Sr. Directors, Executive Directors, VPs, etc. These roles are typically filled by physicians. 

Medical Affairs is the function within the pharma/biotech industry that communicates scientific and clinical information to healthcare providers externally.  The Med Affairs professional is sharing information on disease states and/or therapies for diseases. Think of Med Affairs as the “bridge” between the pharma/industry and treating physicians.  

MSLs are not always physicians – many MSLs are PhDs, RNs, or other degrees (I’ve had MSLs that were genetic counselors, for example).

The Medical Affairs Director, again, typically a physician is developing the STRATEGY of the communications needs whereas the MSL is more involved in the TACTICAL execution of the strategy.

One other difference, and this is why many physicians have written off Medical Affairs when I speak with them, is that Medical Affairs is all about a LOT of travel.  Although MSLs do have significant travel, the Medical Affairs physicians typically have much less travel than MSLs.  Most of the Medical Affairs physician travel is for conferences and congresses.

Thus, Medical Affairs may now be a consideration for you as a physician given you understand that there are roles OTHER than MSL within Medical Affairs AND the travel burden is not weekly (like a typical MSL).

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