Hey, guys. Welcome to the podcast. I am really excited. I have an awesome topic today and an awesome guest. Please welcome Amanda Lally. She's an oncology medical science liaison, and we're gonna talk about utilizing social media and digital tools in medical affairs. And this episode is sponsored by our friends at Medical Watch. Medical Watch helps you understand what HCPs are saying about your products and diseases on social media. So it's an awesome, awesome platform.
Free sign up at medical.watch. So check those guys out for sure. And we're gonna talk a little bit about, digital tools and social me actually, we're gonna talk a lot about digital tools and social media. So, Amanda, welcome to the show. How you doing? Yeah. Great, Tom. Thanks so much for inviting me. I'm really excited about this topic, so I'm looking forward to talking with you about it today. So just a little bit of intro. So I'm a PhD by training.
I've been in MSL for, just over four and a half years. I worked first in diagnostics before moving on to pharmaceutical agents, and I've worked for midsize and large companies. So I also want to make the caveat that all views expressed today are my own. Awesome. And we are so excited to have you here, and this is such an important topic. So let's just jump into it. Can you share with us what are some of the ways MSLs can leverage social media and digital tools, like, in their day to day?
Yeah. So, I think of it as using that social media and digital tools for a couple of different reasons. One being education, whether that's treatment landscape, whether that's learning about industry news, which is also really important, as well as making my life easier. So how can I use these tools to make my day to day more efficient and save myself time? And I think that that's what everybody's trying to kinda clamor right now. Right?
Yeah. I think everybody's kinda trying to figure out that same thing is, like, what should I be doing? What should I be using? What am I missing out on? Right? Yeah. And I think there's so many it can get really overwhelming with all the tools that are out there, as well as resources. So a few that I use on a regular basis, of course, social media. You know, what are people talking about? What are the HCPs talking about? Are there controversies in your field at all?
I think that's really important, to keep, keep up to date on. And then depending on your learning style, you know, podcasts, of course, and micro learnings, are are a great resource, as well as video platforms, like OncLive for, you know, oncology, and then, of course, AI, like ChatGPT. Got you. So is that so on the AI side, is is it pro like, for you, is it, like, predominantly just go on to ChatGPT and use that, or are there other tools that you use on the AI side?
Yeah. That's a great question because I think it's, important. You know, people throw around AI a lot, without really defining how they're using it. So I use, specifically, I'm using our closed AI system rather than the open AI, and I think that's important. We can discuss that in more detail. But, you know, I'm using AI to, you know, help me with reach out emails.
Mhmm. You know, if there's a a topic, an analysis that was done in a clinical trial, that is, you know, a little bit, complex, I might ask chat GPT or OpenAI or, to tell me you know, explain explain this concept to me like I'm five. Mhmm. And that to me has been really helpful to get get the gist of a complex, complex topic really quickly. Yeah. Yeah. No. For sure.
I feel like that's kind of, that's something I use it for as well just from from a basic standpoint, but then I'm seeing people use it and get really creative. And the getting really good at prompt and prompt engineering, is is just kind of vital. I think as we move further into this AI world that we're in, I just think it's gonna be essential. So I'm not surprised to hear that you're using it pretty regularly. Yeah. I agree.
I think it's, I think there's kind of a, you know, a a little bit of a fear of, you know, oh, I don't know how to use it. I don't, you know, how do I even mine. And and but once you do and you kinda get get into that a little bit, it really becomes a great resource. But like you mentioned, you know, I think that, writing prompts is is an art form, and, you know, it takes a little bit of time to, to figure out the prompts the correct prompts for what you're Yeah.
Yeah. Are there other, like, are there other platforms or is there any other tools out there, like, that MSO should be using from, like, a professional skill development standpoint? Yeah. So I think, there are several. You know, I think professional societies, as well as, you know, MAPS, the medical affairs professional society is also a good one. And then, you know, I think I'd be remiss if I didn't mention, you know, your company's internal digital resources.
Yeah. A lot of companies have, you know, so many resources that it can be overwhelming. And, you know, those, those can have a lot of a lot of different professional, skill development, resources in them as well. Yeah. Got you. What about so, like, as we're talking about utilizing tools and getting further into whether it's social media or and or digital tools, what are the guardrails and words of caution that you might have when using these platforms?
Yeah. So I think first and foremost, knowing your company's social media policies, is really important to make sure that you're adhering to to those. And now a lot of companies are also rolling out AI policies. And so, you know, making sure you're not putting confidential or personal information into, open AI, as well as closed I AI depending on on the company policy. I think that's really important. And then fact checking.
So, you know, some of these platforms, you know, might have some information on them that, you know, maybe you need to take with a grain of salt. With AI, I think we've all heard, you know, different levels of, correctness that the AI puts out. So I think just, like, keeping that in mind, and making sure that you're fact checking, you know, some of the stuff as well. Yep. Got you.
And then how should MS cells use social media to stay informed on the latest medical and scientific advancements out there? Yeah. So, you know, speaking of overwhelming, social media is, can be overwhelming, especially now with, you know, different platforms available. It can be tough to track your HCPs and see, you know, did they move platforms, that kind of thing. So one tool that I use, I do use Medical Watch, to kind of collate all the information for me.
You know, and I think it's important to to not just, you know, follow your HCPs on social media and for for listening purposes, but also, you know, who are the national thought leaders in your disease state and, you know, kind of following, flowing them as well. And you can see a lot of different conversations, happening in those threads. So, you can also stumble across some, some great learning tools as well.
I've seen some fellows, doing, you know, month long, you know, learn more about this topic. And each day, they post a different topic. So there's a lot lot of information, on social media that that can help you. Yeah. And cool. Shout out to Medical Watch. Love it. Great great resource. Great tool. So how can MSLs leverage social media for thought leadership? And how do they establish credibility with within their therapeutic area?
Yeah. So I think, you know, as far as social media and, and even, you know, the the online resources like ViewMedi or OncLive, and those types of of resources is just knowing what people are talking about. What are the important things? You know, especially coming out of congresses, what were the important topics that were, talked about? You know, like I mentioned before, there can be controversies, as well.
And I think knowing what people are think are important in the field, you know, really helps you as an MSL bring back important insights to your team as well as, you know, speaking with your HCPs, and they know that you're up to date on on the information. And it can also help you, you know, know what your HCPs are talking about, so you're not, so you're having, you know, valuable conversations with them. Yep. Yep. Well, I imagine there's gotta be some challenges.
What are what are some of the challenges or issues as it relates to utilizing and using social media and digital platforms? Yeah. So one thing I mentioned was, you know, for social media is the, you know, switching platforms, and following them, finding them. I think one of the biggest challenges, is is it's just kind of time consuming.
Yeah. But to get really, you know, find the resource finding the resources, finding the relevant stakeholders, learning the platforms, what are the their limitations. It does take time. You know, and I think there's really kind of no getting around that. And I've kind of approached that as just carving out time, you know, carving out five minutes, ten minutes here, and there to kind of learn everything, as I go and, and and figure that out. So I think it's important to just spend the time.
Yeah. And what about social media engagement strategies for MSLs? Is there anything that they should be doing, or what are you seeing MSLs do on on that side of the equation? Yeah. So as far as engagement strategies, you really have to make sure that you're, following your company's guidelines, and policy on that. In my experience, in my career so far, I have not engaged. It's been purely listening on my end. K. You know?
But I think just knowing that policy as well as what digital resources, are already at your company, are think I think are also really important to know. Would you say that social media engagement is kinda would you say it's frowned upon? Is it because it sounds like it's not just, hey. Get out there and just engage with your KOLs on social media. Right. Yeah. I think that's that's fair. You know, and and I also tend to be, you know, on the more conservative side as well and just kind of listen.
I think LinkedIn is slightly different. You know, I do see MSLs, posting on LinkedIn, as well and, you know, what what they're doing, and their accomplishments. And I think that's that's important too to kind of follow other MSLs and, you know, you can get ideas, connect with, you know, your your peers and colleagues. Yeah. Because there there it's interesting that you mentioned that because there's kind of a big difference between Facebook and LinkedIn. Right. As you know?
And even x and linked and Facebook or Instagram. So I think a lot of it has to also depend on the platform and what you're using it for. Obviously, LinkedIn is such a great networking tool. Right. So you can kinda get away with engagement in that sense without it being as, I think as violating as as maybe using a a Facebook. Am I am I exaggerating that? Yeah. I mean and I'm not sure how other MSLs are using even LinkedIn for engagement.
Yeah. I you know, in my experience, it's no engagement on any platform. Zero. Interesting. Yeah. What about how about this then? I'm just going into this, like, thought of, like, this kind of networking and, like, how can MSLs use social media to collaborate or for knowledge sharing with whether it's internal or external stakeholders and counterparts or teams? Is that a thing?
Yeah. I haven't had so much, you know, as far as collaborating with other, MSLs at other companies, and I think it's important to make sure that, you know, your company, you know, if you're doing that, that is your company has, you know, an agreement with the other company. Mhmm. And, you know, there's alignment between, you know, the leadership on those teams.
As far as, you know, within within the comp within your own company and on your own team and different therapeutic areas in your within your company. You know, I think that sharing resources is really important Mhmm. With each other. You know, what what are you using? And I actually keep a spreadsheet, of just all the resources I collected over time and the therapeutic area they cover, what I use it for, and that kind of thing.
So I think that's that's helpful in just getting you know, finding the resources. Yeah. Finding and sharing. Yes. Got you. Yeah. And that's kinda what I was thinking because I know just and this is a totally bad example. So, guys, forgive me. I know I'm gonna hear people are gonna be like, Tom, what are you talking about?
But, like, you know, like, my family, like, we just send you know, we'll send TikTok videos back and forth to each other just to laugh, you know, or Instagram reels just to laugh. That's knowledge sharing. It's for strictly entertainment purposes. I'm not talking about MSL life. I'm talking about personal life.
But in looking at when you find something that's educational, something that is unique, maybe it's something even rare that might exist from a KOL on a platform like a TikTok or or x, and it's like, wow. Jeez. This is important stuff. Like, we should know this. Like, that's kinda what made me think of this. Yeah. Definitely. And I think I've learned, you know, from my peers, you know, oh, I use, you know, this resource to find this information.
I've also from Medical Watch, I've I've actually learned, you know, oh, you know, here's a video on this platform that I didn't know about before. Here's a podcast that I hadn't heard about that's relevant to my disease state. You know, and then I'll share that with, you know, the MSL, who's in the region, who might cover the, you know, the thought leader who's on the podcast or video. So, so I think that's important, as well to share that with your peers.
And looking so as we look forward into the future a little bit, how do you see the role of social media and digital tools evolving for medical affairs professionals and for MSLs? Yeah. I think, I think it'll be interesting, you know, especially with social media and kind of seeing where where that's going. And as far as digital tools, you know, there are so many that are available. Each company might use a different one.
So you might learn several over your career, and learn, you know, what you like and what you don't like about each of those. But I think too just getting, getting the resources out there. We're we're just talking about sharing with, you know, your peers, what what you're using.
I think is that, those resources get shared more often and people start getting more comfortable using AI platforms, I think that it will will only help us to be more efficient and, you know, build our skill set, have meaningful conversations, and provide value to our our teams as well. Yeah. I think it's just important for people to have an open mind and and be willing to because I things are changing so fast, especially as it relates to AI. I just think it's gonna be so important.
Like, the days of, oh, well, I'm not really a technical person, or I'm not that great with digital platforms. I just think that it's gonna be important to adopt it. And even if you're not that great at it, you can be. Yeah. I think that's really important. And, you know, I I think it's also you know, a lot of companies have digital like, a digital innovation department. They have digital resources. They have people working, on these tools.
You know, it'd be great to see collaboration between MSL teams and those digital teams, to, you know, maybe get that support for the MSLs that, you know, that could help them in their lives. Yeah. Yeah. And then how what would you recommend, and how do you find resources that are helpful to you? Yeah. So, kinda mentioned this before, but, you know, I think just you know, especially when you're just getting started, you know, speaking to your mentor, what are you using?
Speaking to your peers on your team, what, you know, what do you find helpful? Especially speaking with people from different backgrounds. As a PhD, I might use, you know, I might have, like, oh, I'm gonna put alerts for this HCP of mine on Google Scholar and look at the papers that they're publishing, where and whereas an APP colleague might be, looking at up to date or CCO. So I think that, that it's helpful to share those those resources that we're using with each other.
And then, you know, there is an element of kind of sheer luck to it. You might stumble across something while you're, while you you know, if you're googling a topic, you might find, you know, some, you know, society professional society or whatever that that could help you. And then I mentioned before that I do I just keep a running list of, you know, over my career, these are all the tools that I've used.
So I can always go back or, oh, I you know, every once in a while, I look at it like, oh, yeah. I kinda forgot that I I use that. And then I also mentioned before about medical watch where they collate everything and send it to you. And then, you know, that kind of, you know, can alert you to other resources as well. Yeah. No. That sounds awesome. And I get the sense, like, before you had said, yeah. Well, you know, go to a mentor. Go to somebody.
I get the feeling that you're that person on your team. Like, you're you're the go to. It's like, ask Amanda. She knows about all this stuff. Yeah. I do. I and I I have no idea how this happened, but I have become, you know, kind of the AI user, the digital person on my teams, which is which is fun. I enjoy talking about it. And, yeah. Well, how did you get let me ask you this. How did you get there? Was it trial and error? Do you have some type of special technical background? Not at all.
No. And I, you know, break every kind of technology I touch. So, yeah, I just I had you know, I think I was sending reach out emails, and I thought, you know, I could use maybe use AI to help me, you know, reword this email so that it's shorter, it's more concise, maybe I'll get more replies. And that's kind of how I started, because it it worked for me. So, so I was like, wow. This this can actually help me.
But, yeah, like I mentioned too, it is you know, there's a learning curve and learning the prompts and and just playing around with it a little bit. And I think that's kinda one of the the parting messages here. And I I said this before, but, you know, I think that digital is here to stay. AI is here to stay, and just jump in. You did. You just jumped in, and now you're the go to. Right. Exactly. Awesome. Amanda, you're the best. This was great.
Thank you so much for for spending a couple minutes here, and, thanks again to our friends at Medical Watch. Any final words of advice? No. I think we, I think I think actually you covered it and just said jump in. But Yeah. And yeah. Yeah. I I stole the parting words. But I could tell you I could tell you that I I I too am not a techie technical person, but I'm getting better every day. I'm jumping in. I'm learning stuff, and it's kind of fun, to be honest.
So, guys, best of luck out there with all the social media stuff and with the digital stuff. And and as always, I really do appreciate all your support of this show. I thank you for, for sharing it and for commenting and for all of your support. And, Amanda, thank you again. We'll have to do this again. Yeah. Thanks so much, Sean. Awesome. Take care, guys. I'll see you next time.