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Context and Aims: The Medical Science Liaison's (MSL's) value to the company has evolved into a more strategic role with a wide variety of responsibilities. We conducted an online survey of current MSLs nationwide to assess their profile, activity development, performance evaluation, and career development. Subjects and Methods: A 37-item survey was hosted on SurveyMonkey© and accessible from December 2018 to February 2019. The survey was open to current MSLs from different pharmaceutical companies in Spain and included questions about the participant profile, activity development, performance evaluation, and career development. Statistical Analysis Used: The results were expressed as valid percentages; to establish relationships between the answers to different questions, exclusion and comparison filters were used on the web platform. Results: A total of 179 MSLs responded to the anonymous survey. Off-label information management (79%), relationships with key opinion leaders (76%), continuous medical training for HCPs (70%), involvement in clinical trials/investigator-initiated trials (68%), and elaboration of the National Strategy (67%) were mentioned as the top new competencies. Fifty-eight percent spend an average of 61%–80% of their time out in the field and 68% use remote interactions. Fifty-six percent did not agree that their current performance metrics are a reflection of their true value. Forty-five percent of the participants disagreed when asked if their activity is easily balanced with their personal lives. Conclusions: Based on our findings, we believe that there is a need to consider the MSL's strategic priorities, to define metrics that accurately assess MSL performance, and to find ways to fully maximize their limited time.

Purpose/Aim There are limited studies addressing the knowledge of healthcare professionals (HCPs) on the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) role. The objective of this study was to determine the percentage of HCPs that know the role, and to describe their opinion about the utility of the MSL activities on their clinical practice. Methods An online survey was completed by 107 HCPs between June 2019 and January 2020 through three Scientific Societies. It consisted of 17 or 25 questions, depending on the answers. Results Most HCPs (73.8%) knew the MSL role inside the pharmaceutical industry and were able to differentiate the MSL role from others in marketing/sales departments (77.6%). Support for research projects (70.8%) and training courses (68.1%) were the most valuable activities. Participants scored the credibility of data provided by the MSL with a mean of 7.5 (out of 10), and the added value that the MSL provides to their clinical practice with a mean of 6.9. Among HCPs unfamiliar with the role (26.2%), 60% of them are interested in meeting with the local MSL. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that the MSL role is well-known by HCPs, mostly Key Opinion Leaders, and they agree on the importance of working together in scientific projects on, e.g., disease awareness, medical training, or clinical trials. Given the advance of targeted therapies and the move toward personalized medicine, the MSL role will be in more demand and necessary for HCPs in the years to come.