Case studies

Accredited medical education (CME) meeting

Background

2010 is the 8th year that MedSense has organised this CME accredited meeting. This is a two day residential programme aimed at General Practitioners with an interest in dermatology (GPwSI), Clinical Assistants. Ten consultant and academic speakers, plus 2 chairmen developed an interactive and varied programme including interactive sessions, quizzes and breakout groups. Two charities also gave stimulating insights into the patient experience. The meetings are accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and are supported by an unrestricted educational grant.

Objectives

• Provide an opportunity to disseminate recent and relevant data in the diagnosis and treatment of dermatological conditions
• Enable attendees to share best practice and network with peers and experts in an informal environment
• Understand how individual clinical practice can be optimized to improve patient outcomes in dermatology

Services

MedSense organised:

• Chair and faculty liaison
• Venue sourcing and logistics
• Mailshots and email alerts
• Online delegate registration
• Audio visual requirements
• Electronic and printed materials
• CME accreditation and evaluation and meeting report

Results

The 2010 meeting had over 85 delegates, with a waiting list. The meeting was awarded nine CME credits. Speakers reported satisfaction with the organization of the meeting and their travel requirements.

Evaluation results showed:

• High relevance in matching educational needs of the attendees
• Good to excellent educational content and speaker presentations
• High satisfaction with the organizers and the management of the meeting

Sponsored satellite symposium

Background

A UK company wished to sponsor a satellite symposium during an annual UK medical society congress. The symposium included information about a recently launched product.

Objectives

• Highlight the impact on quality of life on patients with this condition
• Present new clinical data on the efficacy and tolerability on a new treatment preparation for scalp psoriasis
• Provide an opportunity to share best practice on diagnosis and management of the disease with a wider audience

Services

In adherence with Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries Code of Practice and congress guidelines, MedSense organised:

• Faculty liaison, advising and researching on their behalf to help them develop their presentations
• Liaison with the congress and venue
• Produce the abstract book, invitations, banners and other visual materials
• Arrange post-symposium wine and canapé reception

Results

• The interest generated resulted in standing room only in the large auditorium
• The audience evaluated the speakers highly, with relevant content and excellent skills in presenting clinically relevant data
• Opinions indicated that managing patients with scalp psoriasis would benefit from this new data and treatment option
• High faculty and client satisfaction

Interactive case studies resource

Background

An international client with transcontinental responsibilities wished to create an educational tool for physicians who treat patients with certain types of arm spasticity, caused by illness or trauma. One treatment option is to inject botulinum toxin (BoNT) into muscles, a technique that requires expert knowledge of muscular location, activity and different dosing implications of BoNT.

Objectives

• Educate new and existing injectors in the process of treating patients with BoNT by the creation of an interactive CD resource that can be adapted for individual countries
• Use an adaptable assessment tool that measures individual patient goals in achieving improved and controlled activities in everyday life
• Highlight best practice in assessing muscles to inject and appropriate dosing schedules

Services

MedSense developed the resource and provided the following services:

• Worked with the client and 4 key opinion leaders on the objectives and content of the resource
• Arranged and filmed 5 patient cases, ensuring written consent was obtained
• Translated patient and physician transcripts into English to synchronize in resource
• Created interactive modules with video clips, slide sets, clinical copy, references, useful links
• Created interface design and technical development of all elements
• Arranged packaging and duplication

Results

At a recent meeting, over 200 international delegates viewed the resource as a very useful and innovative training tool that would help improve the treatment of such patients. A web based option is now being developed.

Global board of experts

Background

This group of international experts was established by an international company who wanted work with opinion leaders from clinical, academic and research fields in advising on the development of clinical and educational programmes on a specific dermatology condition.

Objectives

Raise awareness of the condition and advise on research and treatment options to a wider audience through peer review publications, educational materials, presentations at international congresses and clinical studies.

Services

Over the past seven years, MedSense has worked with the client and the group of sixteen experts to:

• Develop the programmes and content for two annual meetings
• Liaise with faculty and undertake online research to help develop presentations for meetings and symposia
• Produce slide atlases, newsletters, global surveys, questionnaires and peer reviewed publications
• Facilitate meetings.

Results

• Further regional advisory boards have been established to reflect the needs of different geographic areas, such as Asia and Latin America
• MedSense has worked with these groups to produce regional educational materials
• An increase of knowledge in this field of medicine with raised awareness of the issues faced by physicians when treating these conditions has been assessed
• Many spin off projects directly requested by individual opinion leaders