Field Medical

The implementation of a field-based medical service (usually a medical science liaison [MSL] team) is widely regarded as a must-have in the early stages of product launch readiness – whether to support the delivery of Phase 3 clinical trials, initiate early external engagement with potential future prescribers and key opinion leaders (KOLs), or begin Medical Affairs initiatives.

When executed well, it can shape external perception, drive evidence adoption and build long-term credibility. Done poorly, it risks becoming an ineffectual, expensive, quasi-commercial function that delivers limited strategic value and may introduce compliance risk.

At a basic level, any Field Medical team can be recruited, trained and tasked with clinical trial support, KOL mapping, insight generation, scientific exchange and evidence planning support.

However, how this generic list of activities is implemented, the timing of execution and the level of specificity in plans for the Field Medical function vary widely across companies, regions and products.

In this article, we outline a structured and rational approach to designing a new Field Medical team and introduce the concept of a Dynamic Field Medical Model, or DFMM, as a framework to maximise impact for both newly established and existing field-based medical teams.

Authored by Dr. Matthew Goodman, CEO, LUCENT.